[john woodall]

John

I have helped exhibit two layouts over the last 15 years or so.

The first is (unsurprisingly) a Germanic layout built for exhibition use. At 7m x 2m it is rather big, but is actually quite enjoyable to work on. It is almost in a total state of renewal as there are always things to change on it on an ongoing basis.

The other is a group effort in Gauge 1. 8 people "own" the layout, but not everyone has stock to run on it. Still there is something about 1:32 equipment running on a layout.

I am in Wellington and the layouts have been as far north as Auckland and as far south as Christchurch.

Before children, I used to go to all the exhibitions that the club went to, post children I don't go as often. Either I am getting old or sensitive to my family life?

John

 

[john woodall]

To Protect the Gauge 1 layout, we use electric fench posts with a rope through the ends. As tempting as it would be to put some current through the rope, while it would protect Istein, layuts on either side may have the odd child/adult fly into their layout by "accident".

We have a very hands on approach to the layout. Kids can drive a train with an ESU handheld (why do they love the horn going all the time!) we run the layout from outside it and walk around it all the time (better than going to a gym perhaps?

Maybe people equate big trains with expensive trains (ok so they are not cheap) and dont touch.

We have our own picket fence for the HO layout but have a control panel so people can play with the crain.

If you keep the public entertained they will have fun and hopefully not touch.

Funnily enough we have no signs on either layout saying don't touch. Shades of private Mannering yelling "don't Panic, dont panic" perhaps?

John