Warning Signs for Model Railways?

[Ruffnut Thorston]

A while ago now, some "exhibition layouts" had a more fun way of saying "Do Not Touch".

 
Like signs based on  the Southern Railway "Do Not Touch Conductor Rails" notices....

 

Danger!

Do Not Touch Conductor Rails

12,000 mVolts
 

(This was before Zero 1 and the DCC revolution!)

 
Also....
 

Atchung!

Ninen Fingerpoken!


Now older Transformers had a loud "Hum", quite noticable.

Modern "Plug-top" (Switch Mode?) Transformers are much quiter....so it can be hard to tell if they are working!

That hum is the 50 cycles a second frequency of the 240 Volts AC mains....

(Or 50 Hertz, not the car rental co, the measurement unit! )


You get the same sound from a National Grid Substation, still 50 Hertz, but a few thousand volts (Or KV, Kilovolts!).

Current (!) BR Overhead power lines are energised at 25KV...25 thousand volts.

Most Model Raikways are energised at 12,000 mV (millivolts) DC Control,  or around 15,000 mV (DCC).

That is 12Volts DC, and around 15 Volts DCC!

[TonyA]

Having a military themed layout, I use an appropriate sign.

 

 

I don't believe in subtlety.

 

Tony

 

 

[unravelled]

No helpful solutions, but I cringe at the "humorous" signs. I would prefer a straight "Do not touch" or "Fragile, do not touch". I'm also wary of using "Please do not touch" as that suggests that touching is an option.

From my visits to shows, I would think that dangling camera straps are now one of the biggest dangers to trains and scenery.  Perhaps  "Do not reach over the layout" signs might be appropriate?

But will the target audience obey or even read such signs?

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[daftbovine]

Some of the target audience might be too young to read or too old too see clearly!

[Phil Bullock]

This is a classic that can be easily adapted...

 

ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS!
Das computermachine ist nicht fuer gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fuer gewerken bei das dumpkopfen. Das rubbernecken sichtseeren keepen das cotten-pickenen hans in das pockets muss; relaxen und watchen das blinkenlichten.

 

Phil

[Judge Dread]

This is a classic that can be easily adapted...

 

ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS!

Das computermachine ist nicht fuer gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fuer gewerken bei das dumpkopfen. Das rubbernecken sichtseeren keepen das cotten-pickenen hans in das pockets muss; relaxen und watchen das blinkenlichten.

 

Phil

I'm taking Meopham East Junction to Germany next March, do you think I should use this "classic"?

[Moggs Eye]

I don't use any warning signs on my layouts and have never had a problem. Parents usually have an eye on their charges and if anybody comes close a polite reminder does the job.

[newbryford]

Some of the target audience might be too young to read or too old too see clearly!

 

From past experience, finger poking is more prevalent amongst the adults than the kids..............................

 

Cheers,

Mick

[Kylestrome]

I'm taking Meopham East Junction to Germany next March, do you think I should use this "classic"?

 

No, I wouldn't recommend it. It bears little resemblance to German and it won't be understood, even as a joke.

 

A simple "Bitte, nicht anfassen." would be more appropriate.

[steam-driven boy]

Hi,

Just for fun I purchased a couple of Discworld stickers a few years back, I hasten to add that even if the layout gets completed I don't have any notion that it'll get to any shows

 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/60/36/39/603639f62ccd9327f274ae487a039aa3.jpg

 

Text:  Protected by the Assassins Guild A-M / Automatic Contract / Unauthorised meddling with this property will result in an automatic contract on your life

 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/33/74/7d/33747d70388d446337f0cbeb3675253a.jpg

 

Text:  Issued by the Ankh-Morpork Guild of Thieves / This item has been deemed Theft Exempt / Protected by Guild Enforcers

 

Regards, Gerry.

 

 

[Phatbob]

I'm taking Meopham East Junction to Germany next March, do you think I should use this "classic"?

Having exhibited in Germany in the recent past John, you'll need no signage.  The German kids were so well behaved it just wasn't necessary.  The time we'd spent learning how to ask not to touch in German was wasted!

[Classsix T]

You break it, you pay for it.

 

I find veiled threats of physical harm and/or death rather tiresome.

 

C6T.

[AndrewC]

Another old classic.

 

 

Fingers found touching the models will be removed.

 

You may claim them at the door on your way out.

[F-UnitMad]

On my American O Scale layout I had a sign very much in line with their way of thinking:-

 

"Trespassers will be shot.

Survivors will be shot again."

[daftbovine]

We use this one on our club layout: "Children please don't let your parents touch the layout"

[leopardml2341]

This is a classic that can be easily adapted...

 

ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS!

Das computermachine ist nicht fuer gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fuer gewerken bei das dumpkopfen. Das rubbernecken sichtseeren keepen das cotten-pickenen hans in das pockets muss; relaxen und watchen das blinkenlichten.

 

Phil

  

I'm taking Meopham East Junction to Germany next March, do you think I should use this "classic"?

As long as you don't mention John Cleese you might get away with it

[leopardml2341]

Slightly off topic, but what really annoys me is to see people treating traders goods, especially books, as though they own them before they've even considered a purchase.

 

No, I'm not a trader - just someone who was brought up to treat others property well.

 

Edited for typo.

[gismorail]

My recent exhibition layout is displayed at 46 inches so don't have a problem with children 'fingerpoking' . If I get any adults doing it then a straight GET OFF does the job 

[Derekstuart]

Forget the warning signs about high voltages- have a nice aluminium decorative trim on the front and electrify it with three phase.

 

(no doubt someone will find that 'just not funny' and will write a letter to the Times, signed disgusted of Tunbridge Wells)

[tamperman36]

only problem with that would be getting a venue with available three phase , besides I don't think the risk assessment would allow it

 

On a serious side one possibility is to build your own set of barriers for those shows that don't provide them.

[rue_d_etropal]

For my WW1 layout I used the classic wording about not standing around in groups of 3, as they were easy targets for snipers.It actually generated interest as some would ask why. Education is as important as fun.

I find the fun signs OK, and quite often have a serious point to them. Warning about electric rail , might just stick in the mind of someone when they are near real railways.

 

From a practical point of view my layouts are normally displayed on a table, about 6in back from fronr edge. Fingers can reach the table but can't wander onto the layout. Most of the time with youngsters it is not deliberate, they are loooking around, and hands will just rest on anything. Far more worrying are those with portable steps, as they then lean over and grab something. Might be a nuicance for parents(and I am one), but lifting a small child up to se better is much safer. Had to always do it when my children were small, not just exhibitions but any place being visited such as zoos.

 

Maybe one of the red circle signs with diagonal lines across them, white background, and a picture of a grumpy old git!

[Huw Griffiths]

Forget the warning signs about high voltages- have a nice aluminium decorative trim on the front and electrify it with three phase.

 

(no doubt someone will find that 'just not funny' and will write a letter to the Times, signed disgusted of Tunbridge Wells)

 

I'd have thought it would be more likely to be "Shocked, of Savoy Place".

[Steamport Southport]

After a few years of not attending exhibitions for various reasons such as the fact they are normally held at weekends, I've attended about five or six over the last two years. I've not seen any children poking layouts, or adults for that matter. They've all seemed well behaved.

 

 

However the surprising thing I have noticed is the amount of people that use the layouts for a lean. Especially the "ahem" larger members of society. Not just a little gentle lean against the edge, but full on leaning as if they are propping up a bar. Now that's shocking.

 

 

 

Jason

[Huw Griffiths]

However the surprising thing I have noticed is the amount of people that use the layouts for a lean. Especially the "ahem" larger members of society. Not just a little gentle lean against the edge, but full on leaning as if they are propping up a bar. Now that's shocking.

Even more shocking was some guy in a mobility scooter at one major show, the other year - driving at one of the stands - and entering the demolition business.

 

Before anyone imagines otherwise, I'm not having a go at disabled people - I've actually got a number of relatives who are disabled (and registered as such).

 

However, I do have issues with people who behave really irresponsibly, maliciously, or recklessly. Their actions - the negative effects of their actions on other (innocent) people - and their refusal to accept responsibility - are the issues.

 

 

Huw.

[F-UnitMad]

Even more shocking was some guy in a mobility scooter at one major show, the other year - driving at one of the stands - and entering the demolition business.

Wasn't at Telford Guildex was it? There was a Mobility Scooterist there who made his way along the Bring & Buy stand by simply running into people. No apology, no excuse me...