My first time hosting an open house for my Layout.

Good for her!   Am glad you enjoyed it too. Your track and ballast looks really good!

Who knows, a neighbor just might have some old trains packed away and didn't know you were interested in trains...

Looks great and glad it went so well. Any chance you could post an overall photo of the layout?

PRRick yes I’m going to take some pictures tomorrow. I’ll post those.

I am glad to hear you and your wife enjoyed the open house!  The layout looks great, what are the dimensions?

My friends and some family members have been egging me to do an open house but like you I have always said "No." After reading this, I might consider doing something in the New Year.
What did you do to prep for the open house?

Bryce

After a friend was killed falling down the steps at an open house and others had stuff stolen I am hesitant about an open house. 

That had to have been an enjoyable time for all. This could also provide the opportunity to say, “ You know, if we add some more bench work it can be even nicer next year.”

All:

I have hosted 2 events where folks come and run (or view) my trains.  I called them "Train Smokers".  Here's a link to the last one.

https://ogrforum.com/...-train-smoker-photos

Preparation is key to doing this well.

George

@Tom Tee posted:

After a friend was killed falling down the steps at an open house and others had stuff stolen I am hesitant about an open house.

Liability and theft are my two biggest concerns. If I was to do something, I would only invite family and friends (maybe allowing them to bring a +1)

We had someone walk off with a scale C&O Greenbrier at a club open house.  I was fairly astounded that they could pull that off, it's not like it's a small locomotive.  The story has a somewhat happy ending, with all the friends taking videos, we identified the thief and were able to get it back.  It wasn't perfect, the idiot had painted the tender, and done a poor job, so it was work to restore it.  After that, we had people check in with anything they brought to run so we could make sure stuff didn't get legs.

Any open house I do will be by invite so I know who will be coming.  Sadly, there are still unscrupulous people in this world...

   If a well known individual or cash customer requests to come over and is not a critical person, I would consider their visit.

However it would be necessary for them to leave winter outer wear upstairs and have both hands free to safely come down the full size standard tread-riser residential stairway.

I process personal injury accident claims.  Accidents happen and the property owner is liable, even in the case of unwanted trespassers.

@Tom Tee posted:

   If a well known individual or cash customer requests to come over and is not a critical person, I would consider their visit.

Am I welcome?

I don't host any general open houses, but I do have plenty of friends, neighbors and relatives who come over to see the layout and watch trains run.

I keep a bunch of old train magazines on hand and they make excellent free handouts to guests, especially children, and are a great way to hopefully get others interested in the hobby. 

It's also a good way to thin my magazine collection without having to trash them.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Am I welcome?

John,  You are always welcome!   No need to sign the "Hold Harmless" waiver.   Tom

I'll do my best not to fall down the stairs!

I’ve hosted my O gauge club several times as well as the occasional neighbor who wants to see why the basement lights burn late into the night.

Have never hosted a true “open to the public” kind of event though and doubt I ever will. A buddy of mine quit hosting on the NMRA’s Piedmont Pilgrimage after he found a couple guys wandering around on the main floor of his home.

Curt

You haven't had an open house until you have three bus loads of  175 people in one day come visit your RR and serve 75ilbs of Italian pastries ice tea and coffee. Did for 3 different conventions! Zero accidents and yes No derailments.

PRRick   Here’s a few pictures of the Layout. It’s 8x9 with a 5 foot extension.

So far this year  my club TMB model train club has had  2 open house weekends We averaged about 500 people per day during the 5 hours we were open In non Covid years we usually got 800 plus Hoping our January/ February shows can be held but with Covid who  knows Fortunately our club is stairs free for our guests Except for a few who were unhappy that we required masks to attend our  other guests had a really good time

FJI,  what club where??  Sounds great!!

@FJI posted:

@Tom Tee posted:

FJI,  what club where??  Sounds great!!

So far this year  my club TMB model train club has had  2 open house weekends We averaged about 500 people per day during the 5 hours we were open In non Covid years we usually got 800 plus Hoping our January/ February shows can be held but with Covid who  knows Fortunately our club is stairs free for our guests Except for a few who were unhappy that we required masks to attend our  other guests had a really good time

Tran Masters of Babylon, Farmingdale, LI, NY.

Great club and layout. I've been there several times.

I would, but my basement is so cluttered, I can barely get around it myself!