The WGH show is also fun for the family because usually many modular groups are there. Which brings up something I've wondered about...does a big modular layout provide a incentive to get into the hobby, or does it seem so overwhelming that it scares people away? I sometimes think a small "under the tree" Christmas layout would get more folks interested.
Which brings up something I've wondered about...does a big modular layout provide a incentive to get into the hobby, or does it seem so overwhelming that it scares people away?
I think that's a very good question. The modular layouts are certainly interesting to see, and gives people an idea of what can be done.
Towards the end of my involvement in local train show promotion, we put out a kids layout. It consisted of a group of four or six banquet tables arranged in a rectangle, with a simple 027 layout assembled right on top. Usually a loop of track with one siding, and a few pieces of track with an operating car or two for the kids to operate. One kid could run the train while another operated a car. The trains were old beaters that they couldn't hurt. Used a 1033 or 1044 transformer with a postwar #91 breaker for power. We did go through a few handles, as the kids weren't gentle with the controls 
Milk cars were very popular.
The kids loved it, I would not be surprised if the kids layout sold a few families on getting a train.
The nice thing about the kids layout is that is showed that trains were fun, even without the scenery, or building a table for them.
As I write this, I guess I've come to the conclusion that both types of layouts should be present at a show.
I like to go to shows to see the old, the odd and look for bargains especially under the tables. I especially like the TCA shows because casual dealers and collectors are there. The big module layouts that I see don't seem to get a lot of attention considering the work they are in getting set up. I pass by the modern stuff, the LHS has a nice inventory of most of the things that are discussed here and I can look at them any time. When I would work the train club Xmas show(HO) there was a kid's layout where they ran trains and it created more excitement than the big layout.
C W Burfle posted:Which brings up something I've wondered about...does a big modular layout provide a incentive to get into the hobby, or does it seem so overwhelming that it scares people away?
I think that's a very good question. The modular layouts are certainly interesting to see, and gives people an idea of what can be done.
The kids loved it, I would not be surprised if the kids layout sold a few families on getting a train.
The nice thing about the kids layout is that is showed that trains were fun, even without the scenery, or building a table for them.
As I write this, I guess I've come to the conclusion that both types of layouts should be present at a show.
C W,
I agree with what you are saying. My observations are the kids get into a small hands on layout, but kids and parents are impressed with the modular layouts. They kind of show how simple it is to get started, but give a taste of what is possible if interest grows.
OGR Webmaster posted:Every one of the World's Greatest Hobby shows draw more people than York does. The Big E show is larger than York. Trainfest is larger than York.
WGH is coming to Phoenix in February and we'll be there, so thanks for mentioning it. I don't keep up with the shows because there're never close by or they seem to be just glorified swap meets. I added this one to our calendar though, so we won't miss it.
