I am very glad to be able to call Howard Zane a friend and an inspiration.
One day, a visitor used a coat to steal an expensive item off his layout...what it was is irrelevant in this discussion. (I only say that because some have love or hate relationships with certain types of models, and those discussions have become...far too polarizing for me to participate).
Now he does not allow any jackets in the train room, at all.
Thought it is an important thing to note, since we are making practical rules here.
I would also add: do not lean on the scenery along the edge of a layout one is visiting. I have done that in the past and have heard the dismaying crunch of the scenery giving way, slightly, beneath my arm or elbow. Embarrassing, to be sure.
While it is practically impossible to vet all guests, it is highly desirable to know the guests one has at one's layout if there are expensive items loose about the room.
John Mock
I saw this on a modular layout at a local train show.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Look with your eyes, not with your hands!No food or drink and of course no smoking.Don’t even pretend to want to knock stuff onto the floor.Don’t put anything on the layout, it’s not a cup holder or a pen holder or anything else.Don’t steal unless you want your hand chopped off.
One local club had signs up that said "Touch Only With Your Eyes."
Am reminded of a long-ago tour when a visitor's neck-strapped Pentax swung right through a coaling tower when the guy leaned over to look at something. Quietest room I've ever been in.
7j43kDon't touch ANYTHING without asking first.
Don't touch is a biggie and what I find surprising is that adults are the worst offenders.
Regards, Peter
dknelsonTry to keep thievery to acceptable limits.
Thanks,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
When I visit a layout I'm to engross at looking at the layout for any industry ideas I might be able to ste--er,ah,borrow.
The majority-well at least 90% - of the layouts I have visited the owners knows how I like to take in the details and scenes so,seeing me slightly bent forward with my hands behind my back doesn't make them think I'm Mr.McGoo.
At two of the basement empires there was a coat rack to hang your coat or jacket..A very nice touch.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I have operated on Ron Mei's Sunset Route layout. He was very polite. Told us that if something went wrong, a dropped loco, for example, to inform him. He is a very polite host.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Bill McClanahan once told of a visitor who picked up one of his passenger cars, scratched at it with a finger nail, and said "oh you put your paint on really thin don't you?"
Dave Nelson
7j43kDon't touch ANYTHING without asking first. Better to just keep your hands in your pocket.
Good advice! One of our club members was visiting a very nicely done layout not too long ago and he decided to see how sturdy the scenery was. So, he gave it a poke with his finger. His finger went right through, leaving a very noticable hole!
I would add not to touch the trains or buildings unless permission is granted. You have no idea how many people like to touch things. I have a sign posted that reads:
PLEASE DON'T TOUCH THE TRAINS. IF YOU NEED TO TOUCH SOMETHING, GO TO A PETTING ZOO!
Neal
Don't touch ANYTHING without asking first. Better to just keep your hands in your pocket.
Don't go anywhere without asking first--around the back there, under this.....
Ed
I always ask before even taking photos, and leave my camera in my pocket if the answer is no.
No food or drink, and try to keep your hands clean.
When visiting someone else's layout there's definitely some implied etiquette rules we all follow. Most of them are common sense. I thought we could list them here. What are your etiquette rules for layout visits and operating sessions?
1. Keep negative comments about the layouts to yourself.
2. If you break something, own up to it. I personally won't be happy you broke something but I'll be a lot less upset if you tell me about it.
3. This is a big one these days. If you take photos, get the owner's permission before posting them on social media. Personally, I'm okay people posting photos of my layout on Facebook, but not everyone else feels that way.
4. Get the owner's permission before bringing your child. If you do bring a child, make sure they are well-behaved be prepared to leave if they aren't.
5. If there's a guestbook, sign it.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com