I have been exhibiting my modular layout for 5 years at the train museum and the art gallery of my city ( Check it out in the OGR run 269).
It is so much fun to share the hobby with the crowds. But it will take a good dose of energy to do. Be prepared for tons of questions to respond, to operated all the accesories you have, to keep an eye on all the operations.... It makes a good day of work... But it is worth every minute of it when you have a small kid saying thank you!! And that happens a lot , I can tell you for sure!
Thank you TMack for this posting. I share the same "opertaus motus" as you: INTERACTION and FUN with the trains and the public.
Like Kj356, I advise people not to put their hands on the tracks... But I no fences or plexiglass... I don't like having a "barrier" between the train and the people. I my father would have put a plexiglass or called me " a kid with pesky little hands", I probably would not be in this hobby.
I don't run fancy trains ( except at the Museum for historical reasons)... Just the basic. The general public dont care if it is a $1000.00 or a $100.00 engine that is running...As long that is FUN to watch.
I place all delicate , fragile or more expensive items out of reach in the layout. The Kids just love the push buttons and blowing the whistles.
With over 15000 over 5 years that have seing the layout, I cannot report anything broken by the crowd. People are very respectfull.
The bottom line for me is the Fun I get to run the train and the Fun the crowd will enjoy.
Happy New Year to All of you
Enjoy the Fun of running the trains.
Jacques Brouillette