November is Model RR Month

[rogerhensley]

November is Model Railroad month here in the States. In the past, the Central Indiana Division, NMRA held a regular Meet/Dealer Show at the end of October or early November. But we had not stressed promoting the hobby until recently. Again this year (and scheduled into the future) we are holding a free admission Meet in November in cooperation with the Pike Township Lion's Club (Indianapolis, IN) Pancake Breakfast (the pancakes cost, the Meet is free).

We have beginner clinics and portable and modular layouts and an on-going scenery construction project. The first clinic of the day is an ongoing clinic aimed directly at young modelers with a car kit construction clinic. They will get to keep the car. We supply the simple tools that need to build it and an adult to assist them, but not do it for them. Everything we do that day will be aimed at introducing the hobby to new people. We started this before we heard about Kalmbach's 'World's Greatest Hobby' program, but it certainly ties in with it.

Why do I tell you this? I would suggest that there is still time for clubs and organizations to set up something for November. Advertise it! Let people know about the hobby. Don't just put a notice in a hobby shop. That's nice, but it is preaching to the choir. Get something in the local paper, or on radio. Maybe a local TV station would be willing to do a spot. Perhaps you might get an active display in a shopping mall. Get some help from a local shop if you have one. The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas. It IS a great hobby, so let's tell people about it!

Roger

Roger Hensley - [e-mail]
== http://cid.railfan.net/ ==
== Central Indiana Division, NMRA ==

[BRAKIE]

Roger,I completely agree with you.For a train show or open house to be successful it must be advertised to the general public.Most local TV stations and news papers are willing to to a human interest story.This should apply to all train shows though out the year.
I really like to see more train shows that have your shows programs,this can only help the hobby.To many times train shows are no more then a dealers flea market with a few layouts and have nothing else to offer the attendees.
Good Luck with your up coming show.

[dknelson]

The NMRA division here in Milwaukee has successfully operated Trainfest for many years. It is now large enough to have a sizable paid advertising budget on radio and newspapers. There is no avoiding the fact that paid ads make the news part of the operation take you more seriously! Also paid ads on radio make the station willing to come to Trainfest and do a live remote broadcast so the mention of Trainfest is continuous throughout the day.
One of the continuing problems is that the newspaper is more than willing to send a photographer but often the photo appears after it is too late to generate attendance. If you have a set up day it pays to invite the photographer THEN and arrange for some little kids to be looking at the trains. the combination of trains and kids is irresistable to newspaper editors I guess. And if you can have that photo taken before the day of the show, it might run in time to do you some good.