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| Can you see "The Penguin?" |
Wow, what a day! We never had more fun with the layout. Even Alicia was down in the basement enjoying the visit. Today we hosted an open house for a pack of cub scouts and the neighbor hood children. Derek Trunkey organized the cub scouts, while Sean Heather organized the local kids. Mike Spoor, an experienced model railroader, was visiting and he helped out. We planned the event in three waves. First was the cub scouts, then the neighborhood girls, and last the neighborhood boys. There were a total of 19 children.
Each wave entailed watching a 6-minute video describing the layout and background, then the kids took turns running trains and doing a scavenger hunt.
The kids kept their scavenger sheets as souvenirs. Some of the children had a hard time seeing the layout details because they were too short, but I had hidden a few items that they would have a better view of seeing compared to taller people.
Every kid from ages 4 to 10 got to run a train. There were several derailments, many due to contraction of the layout due to low humidity (see more below), but the kids didn't mind. Here is gallery of some photos.
The event was so successful, that we are planning a follow-on event where each child will get a chance to assemble a building. I'll design the building kit so it can be assembled without sharp tools and with simple white glue. Some of the children suggested this, so you know it's going to be be effective. They want to learn how to make a model railroad!
The low humidity caused the usual track problems, which manifest in some of the turnouts that become too tight as the wood bases shrink under them. The solution seems to be a whole house humidifier. We plan to upgrade the HVAC in the house, so that will be an add-on to the new HVAC system. We may have to move that up on the priority list.
Engine Haupt wasn't running well, with several stalls. It needed a tune up that was mostly an adjustment of the pick-up wires, and a wheel cleaning. Right at the end of the open house Fury stopped running, though it had sound and the motor was grinding. Something was jamming the drive. I took it apart and discovered that the rear universal popped out and was jammed. It was a simple fix and it was back in operation.
All in all a great day.
Congratulations! May I suggest you let your local Alexandria news paper know about it, althougj that may garner too much interest, to manage. All in all, well done, citizen! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I or the layout could survive another one. :)
DeleteYou are a brave man Bernie. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteBill Decker
I enjoy having children over to see and operate the layout. I tell people, never underestimate these kids. And lets face it, I'm just big 12 year old at heart!
DeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I just took my 2 young grandsons to the WGH show. Watching their reaction proves they are truly the next generation for the hobby. I need to figure how to duplicate what you just did. All of my open houses have been for grown ups.
Pete Leach
The scavenger hunt is a good way to keep the kids occupied. They loved it, and they learned things as the went down the list.
DeleteBernie, I applaud your generosity with your layout and your time. But I do have one question: Is it more important that the kids learned about railroads in the Civil War or about who Gumby is?
ReplyDeleteGumby is a cultural icon, they must learn who he is.
DeleteMost of the children had not yet studied the civil war, so we did not emphasize it that much. But they did get an exposure to the overwhelming logistical might of the Union during the war. So they will carry that forward as they begin their studies.
Great! So where was that penguin, anyway?
ReplyDeleteLook under the train on the bridge abutment behind the second arch. You can just see "The Penguin's" top hat and head.
Delete