Should those who display at exhibitions engage with members of the public?

[Chris M]

It’s fair to say that some visitors have no wish to engage and there is nothing wrong with that. One difficulty for the exhibitor is judging whether visitors want to engage or not. Exhibiting can be good for quiet people as it can help to bring them out of their shell.

 

Engaging with visitors is of course a two way thing. Listening to railwaymen’s tales is always worthwhile. Not only can you learn a lot of useful snippets of information but most stories are very amusing and almost always involve significant quantities of beer. Going by what I’ve been told at exhibitions I’m surprised there weren’t thousands of bad accidents on the railways in the sixties.

[Jol Wilkinson]

Different viewers want different things. Some are content to watch a layout in operation, some are happy to scrutinise the detail of the modelling, some want as much "activity" as possible, a few want to show off by pointing out what they think is wrong, others want to just chat, some want to discuss a particular feature in detail.

 

It is possible to satisfy everyone (except for the clever complainers) but it requires - depending on the layout - either extra "staff" or a reduction/cessation of regular operation for a period. The downside of that is bigger layout teams and hence (as has already been pointed out) more cost for the organisers. So, unless show visitors are willing to pay more for entrance, we will have to continue as things are.

 

As for interaction with the public, this young man came back with his grandfather to view London Road three times at Warley 2016, so was invited to try his hand. A little disruptive for the operators and viewers, but hopefully worthwhile.

 

 

How does all this fit with the idea of the completely scenic layout where the presentation focuses the viewer on the model and the operators are completely concealed? No interaction between operators and the public, but a more complete suspension of disbelieve in presenting the model.

 

 

[Corbs]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I will try and relax and enjoy the trains!

[Dava]

At several shows I've noticed young people, some with quite severe learning issues, possibly including ASD and Aspergers, and accompanied by careers, have shown strong interest in the layouts, including mine. It is very rewarding to engage with them because they enjoy their experience and as an operators it's quite humbling. I know another exhibitor of small Gauge 0 layouts has the same view.

 

Dava

[TEAMYAKIMA]

I regret that I haven't had time to read all 37 replies , so this might have been said before, but 'YES!' engaging with the public is very important especially if your project is 'left field' like mine is.

 

My layout will be shown for the first time at Bristol this May and we hope to have a dedicated person out front to pro-actively engage with the public because 99% of visitors will have no idea what they're looking at and so information, explanation and education will be essential. And I must give Bristol organisers praise here they are paying for one extra operator as a dedicated 'engager'.

 

For what it's worth my layout is set in China in the last days of main line steam (2004) - hence my comment that 99% of people won't have a clue what they're looking at - hence the need for a full-time engager.

[ColinK]

I agree that it is important to engage with those visitors who wish to chat to operators. I’ve twice invited people to operate my layouts and they have ended up buying the layouts from me.

 

I do recall many years ago when I had a N gauge model based in Germany. I’ll be the first to admit that I knew almost nothing about German signalling practice. But one of the visitors did and he stopped me running anything for about 40 minutes while he explained in detail how German signalling worked and how my model should be signalled. He wasn’t a ‘know it all’, he just wanted to help me get it right, but I was on my own so I couldn’t run any trains while he drew diagrams and talked. A second operator would have been very beneficial.

[298]

A good way to engage with interested parties is indeed to get them to operate, obviously this won't work with every layout or punter, but I've often done so and realised others are quite happy to watch and listen to the conversation with said party as it probably answers questions that they hadn't thought of asking- so much so that I'll specifically doing so as part of the "Getting Started" demonstration area at the Nottingham Show in March.

[hayfield]

Totally agree with the replies that it is much better and informative to have someone available who can talk with the paying public and of course knows about the layout. Quite often at quiret times at shows this is possible, and much easier at smaller shows.

 

For some exhibitors manpower could be an issue either during breaks or through out the show itself. It could also mean in some cases that the costs of exhibiting will increase especially where overnight accommodation is provided.

[andy2308]

Interesting topic and having been exhibiting our layout for over three years now I'll give you my take on this.

 

When I designed our layout, I made sure that there would always be something to see running, be that on the two main running loops, the upper loop or the automated shuttle. That way if something does derail I can stop that train, even if I'm mid-conversation with someone and the rest of the layout still runs. Of course that's not quite so easy if you're running a shunting layout or end to end so to some degree that will vary upon what is being exhibited.

 

I've walked around many exhibitions and seen layouts with more operators than spectators, usually there's nothing running and while the many bells and headsets may look realistic enough, people just want to see trains running, they may be a joy to operate but when there's nothing moving out front then it doesn't tend to hold my interest for long. I've also seen layouts that have clearly had much time and effort building not just the layout but the display of the layout itself, sometimes you can't even see the operators at all!

 

Yes it's stressful when things go wrong and the last thing you want to be doing is trying to hold a conversation while carnage is going on around you, thankfully regular maintenance of the layout and stock keeps those things to a minimum but there are occasions where you just have to say "excuse me one moment", put the train back on and then resume the conversation.

 

We run as a crew of two (three at Warley just in case it was too busy but we could have coped with two) and the layout is side-operated. That means that not only can we see the entire layout from the control panel, it also means that people can come up to us and chat face to face without there being a barrier between us. I'm the less communicative of the two so I tend the field the more technical questions and concentrate on the running but both of us can talk about the layout with confidence and have a bit of banter. We have leaflets printed which explains how our layout came to be and there are links to the website and facebook pages for those who want to see how it was built and what projects we're working on.

 

There are people who come and see us time and time again and never speak, one individual I can think of probably has more video footage of my layout than I do but he's never spoken. That's his choice if he doesn't wish to engage with us, we've certainly given him the opportunity to do so but if folks are happy to just stand and watch, we're happy to let them. Others will quite happily approach and chat, if we want the hobby to grow then we have to encourage people to take an interest and show how things have been done.

 

When it comes to rivet counting and nit-picking, it's a very simple, clear cut answer from us - "It's not real!" that works most of the time.

 

In my view, we don't need to be entertainers to exhibit layouts, we just need to be able to entertain with our creations and at least be capable of holding a conversation if approached.

[Poggy1165]

I think operating a layout properly is a full-time job in itself, so I quite understand if operators are too busy to talk. I rarely address them unless to say "what a cracking model" or words to that effect. There was a rather wonderful L&Y layout I saw a bit back where the chap asked if anyone could spot any errors with the PO wagons. I could see one, and said so, but if he hadn't asked I'd have kept my gob shut, as the layout overall was absolutely excellent.

 

I do talk to demonstrators occasionally. Most seem to be only to happy to interact, but I have come across the odd one who seemed not to want to talk. This rather defeats the object of their being there, to my mind. Being an awkward old b----- myself, I take it in my stride, but I can't help but think that in such a case a beginner or potential enthusiast might be a tad put off.

[locomad]

One of the several reasons that I prefer the smaller, less formal, events, rather than the big set-piece shows, is that, whichever ‘side’ you are on, they allow more opportunity for gasbagging. A very busy hall, pressed shoulder-to-shoulder, isn’t conducive to anything, except possibly mild annoyance all round.

Quite agree, I don't bother with the large shows any more, which tend to be miles away, cost a fortune to get in, dreadful parking, over priced for drinks, and too over crowded.

 

Instead stick to small local shows, far more friendly, easy to park and get too and sometimes home cooked food by volunteers. It tends to put us in a relaxed atmosphere and end up buying sheds loads of second hand stuff !

[w124bob]

Back in the early 70's I was involved with a layout built by a group of BT engineers from Leicester. One member had no interest in operating, but would stand by the corner of the layout inside the barrier chatting away to the paasing crowd. We won several visitors choice awards and I'm sure it had a lot to do with Norman talking and answering questions.

[Pete the Elaner]

For me, chatting to the public is one of the best aspects of a show.

I used to feel rude breaking conversation to shout commands to the other end of the layout "my fiddle yard is full" etc but writing a sequence has changed this & I have had no adverse reaction from looking down at my card & adjusting the traverser. I have found that I can actually incorporate it into the conversation.

I have not taken a layout of my own out for many years but I know my friends like answering questions of how they did some things.

[Guest]

I freely admit to not reading through the whole topic, but the question in the OP is fairly clear.

"Yes, of course", I would have thought.

If an operator doesn't like engaging with those who have paid to enter, I have to ask why would he want to be there? He/she would be much more suited to going it alone in a shed/spare room/garage, surely?

There are plenty of outgoing chatty "team-player" types of modeller, but there are probably many more that just get a kick out of doing it for themselves, by themselves. I would have thought only the former would suit exhibiting.

[Huw Griffiths]

I freely admit to not reading through the whole topic, but the question in the OP is fairly clear.

"Yes, of course", I would have thought.

If an operator doesn't like engaging with those who have paid to enter, I have to ask why would he want to be there? He/she would be much more suited to going it alone in a shed/spare room/garage, surely?

There are plenty of outgoing chatty "team-player" types of modeller, but there are probably many more that just get a kick out of doing it for themselves, by themselves. I would have thought only the former would suit exhibiting.

 

Generally fair comment - although I could, perhaps, go slightly further.

 

There are also a significant number of quiet (but very approachable and mild mannered) people - who might not necessarily set out to start conversations with people they don't know - but who would be more than happy to answer questions, explain stuff patiently and provide guidance / encouragement to show visitors.

 

Incidentally, a number of people in a similar "mould" have also worked in colleges over the years - perhaps as labrats technicians, or in other student facing "support" roles - with explaining and demonstrating stuff (to individuals and small groups) being a key part of the job description, but standing up and delivering lectures not being part of the deal.

 

 

Huw.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

My layout will be shown for the first time at Bristol this May and we hope to have a dedicated person out front to pro-actively engage with the public because 99% of visitors will have no idea what they're looking at and so information, explanation and education will be essential. And I must give Bristol organisers praise here they are paying for one extra operator as a dedicated 'engager'.

 

For what it's worth my layout is set in China in the last days of main line steam (2004) - hence my comment that 99% of people won't have a clue what they're looking at - hence the need for a full-time engager.

 

Taking things a little further, I have recently added to the engager's role..........my layout features several 'working features' which work for about 15 seconds at a time and the engager (who will be sitting outside the layout) will now control these from a new control box I've just made and so he can pro-actively engage with visitors and point out the working features when he activates them. Thereby giving him an excuse to start conversations with visitors.

[GWR8700]

My favourite part of Warley last year was talking to people about their layouts.  You can learn so much and it gives you a new perspective of the model.

[Chamby]

You never know, when talking to exhibition visitors who linger at your layout. Some you can scare off by trying to open up a conversation, then there are those you end up wishing you hadn’t asked! But most are somewhere in between.

 

I now usually just start off with a smile. It tends to invite a response for those who want to talk, but doesn’t scare off those who don’t.

 

Phil.

[Steadfast]

Hearing the "daddy drives those trains" type conversations usually spur the start of a longer conversation, especially if said employee is with the little ' un

It's amazing how many real railway conversations start based on a little detail on a layout or a throwaway comment.

I think one of my favourites though was, at the sight of the photographs of shops forming part of the backscene, a comment of "uh, T K Maxx", turning around and walking off. Not sure what said discount retailer had done to offend him...

 

Jo

[Sturminster_Newton]

As one who wrote for a certain British Large scale magazine biased to outdoor operation interaction is important.

 

More so if you can let General and Missus Public get involved in the action.

 

Handing over the R/C Transmitter to £1500 of live steam model and a novice driver is not without it's concerns, but all those I have done this for find it a fascination to be able to actually drive on the layout they were just watching.

 

Even if the model is just a diesel outline electric powered model

 

Giving specialist information is very important, most model shops have a limited experience beyond the mainline areas of their sales usually OO models.

 

I well remember one shop telling a potential large scale modeller that it was expensive to set up in large scales. Truth is Smerty two can be as cheap/expensive to set up as a simple 5" installation.

 

You choose which might be more fun in the family garden.

 

Rather than being more positive and leading the potential Gauge O modeller towards the advantages of modelling even a micro layout to show off the detail and presence of Larger Models.

 

Previously I have talked to the same sales staff about the potential of Bachmanns Large Scale Thomas rolling stock and locomotion to convert into G3 models.

 

None of this has gained me more than the simple pleasure of transferring information and expanding minds towards a new goal.

 

Unfortunately I am a bit out of the loop on large scale.

 

But I look at and enjoy the latest developments in the modelling world more so for the less common and somewhat unglamorous models which have come to market in recent years.

 

So clearly there is more engagement with modellers than it might at first appear.

Edited January 21, 2018 by Sturminster_Newton

[Dava]

Sometimes the purpose of the model is simply to engage with people.

 

Last year I rebuilt the GCR 'Bridge to the Future' N gauge model which was static and tired. I made it operational with an autoshuttle, attractive and accurate using the actual engineering drawings of the GCR Midland Mainline bridge. It has been very successful in attracting people to the GCR Friends stand to talk about the Bridge project and donations and memberships have increased. It will be on Platform 1 at Loughborough GCR for the Winter Steam Gala this weekend 27-9 Jan,

 

On Saturday I'll be at the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association event at Mickleover with an 014 table, aiming to engage people's interest in accurate 2ft gauge modelling in 7mm scale with my Bunny Hill gypsum mine microlayout. Swing by if you're in the area for either or both these events!

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/126552-modelling-in-014-now-and-the-future/page-2&do=findComment&comment=3012361

 

Dava

[PaulRhB]

I don't think there's a lot of point in accepting invites to shows and sharing the model unless you are prepared to share some info about it by chatting when there's time. With my layouts I do tend to have two teams because the operators get tired and need breaks or the running becomes erratic and poor which isn't a good show. I know that's expensive to some but as said above the operators are there to have fun too so why should they be chained behind the layout and miss the rest of the show when they aren't being paid, have travelled long distances in many cases and given up probably two full days and a Friday evening. There's a difference between that and bringing freeloaders who do nothing to help with the layout. A friend of mine now can't operate because an eye op has meant he just can't see well enough but he's great to chat to people about the dcc, prototype etc all day long so comes along to some local shows as chief chatter.

I operate from behind and have never found it a barrier to starting a chat, in fact as I'm rather tall and wide operating from the front would be a rather big barrier to seeing anything What I particularly enjoy is talking to partners, parents and kids who aren't the one who they came to the show to entertain. I've had some cracking chats with Mum's and Dads of enthusiastic youngsters about the setting and simple ways to do things. I like debunking the too difficult to try and encourage them to have a go and reveal how ordinary the materials are. Some of my more eclectic or unusual prototypes, ok foreign , can break the ice by starting a chat about holidays or is that somewhere real?

Hopefully it's fun for both sides of the layout most of the time

[roundhouse]

At the weekend we were at the end of an aisle and no barriers so we occasionally had a few visitors to one side at the rear. We prefer barriers at larger shows but are OK without barriers most of the time as with this particular layout as an operatorit's at each end as it is. Many visitors want to see the fiddleyard especially as we use touch screen PC's.

yesterday late afternoon there was a young lad who watched for a long time and as he was well behaved I would ask which train he would like to see next. All part of tbe enjoyment for both us and visitors. His mum did keep an eye on him aswell. Of course there are those that can't keep fingers away or are very demanding so we just use our discretion as to who we let come around the back.

[PatB]

I think there is a reasonable expectation that exhibitors at shows should be, at least, approachable by visitors. However I think it's also fairly generally accepted that there are limits to what is practical (for example, sole operators will find it difficult to divide attention) and there are times when, on any layout, simple politeness dictates that it's really not a good moment to start asking questions.

 

Whilst I wouldn't be so draconian as to ban non-operational chit-chat between operators, I do agree that it's not a terribly good look to have half a dozen folk in club shirts holding a little social event in the operating well whilst the layout stands stationary or some unfortunate junior member is left on their own to run the layout and field any questions. It's a show, not club-night and should really be treated somewhat differently. 

 

I've also had the experience, mentioned upthread, of attempting to ask demonstrators what I thought were intelligent questions, only to be glared at.

 

I do, however, perhaps have a bit of a different perspective on this as my recent experience of exhibitions has been entirely here in Australia, mostly Western Australia. WA has one major show a year (if there are others I've yet to find them) and so, to be fair, most exhibitors aren't going to get much practice at exhibiting skills. 

 

I do recognise that exhibiting can be hard work. I've done it myself, horribly badly, in the long distant past, and so I know what goes into putting on a show for the public. I also make my living ( ) in a manner that requires me to interact quite extensively with the public, explain technical matters in laymans terms, keep smiling in the face of (fortunately very rare) rudeness, and, at busy times, keep several balls in the air at once. Now, unlike an exhibitor at a model railway show I am there to (hopefully) make a profit and I do have the motivation that,if I don't do the engagement thing well enough I'll be living on a diet of Aldi 2-minute noodles for the next week. However, if you'd told me 3 years ago that I would now happily (or, at least, comfortably) be approaching complete strangers to explain my skills to them I'd have laughed politely and then run away and hidden . I've always been something of an introvert. Maybe not on the autism spectrum but definitely not Mr Talky outside a small group of friends. If I can learn to deal with the public in an engaging manner, so can the majority of others.

[bike2steam]

 

I've also had the experience, mentioned upthread, of attempting to ask demonstrators what I thought were intelligent questions, only to be glared at.

 

 

There have been some times I've been at both ends of a situation like that, and thought badly afterwards. Perhaps my timing wasn't quite right, some people can be having a bad moment, even a bad day, it happens, and just brush it off as such. There are times we need to be a little 'thick-skinned'.