Good etiquette for exhibitors at model railway shows and LEGO events

Good LEGO railway exhibitor etiquette

The below is a compilation of guidance and advice for exhibitors joining us at LEGO shows and model railway events to run their trains.  As we have over 60 members now, it’s important to know what is expected to ensure everyone has a good time!

Differentiation between exhibitors and visitors

  • A layout owner is someone who is bringing a LEGO railway layout to an event or show. Layouts are often owned by multiple members.
    • A club layout is one designated for club members. This is often the northern or southern club layout, and they tend to have more open criteria for joining.
    • A member layout is one owned by members for private operation. These layouts tend to be invite only and have a circle of operators they rely on.
  • An exhibitor is signed up to be with a layout for the duration of the show or event, including all set up and tear down time. Exhibitors will receive a share of any benefits including lunch, event bricks, exhibitor gifts, and travel expenses – this will vary event by event.
  • A visitor may bring their trains to a show or event, but is not signed up as an exhibitor. They may need to pay for admission to the event, they will not receive any gift packs, and they are not guaranteed a space to run their trains – this is at the discretion of the layout owners or exhibitors who have spent their time setting up for the event.

Good etiquette for LEGO railway exhibitors

Shows can be busy and chaotic, so here is a guide to good etiquette as an exhibitor at a LEGO show or model railway event. 

Set up & tear down

  1. Be present for all of set up and tear down: it is expected that all exhibitors will be present for all of set up and all of tear down. Do not leave the event before the layout is packed in to vehicles.
  2. You may require high visibility clothing in some venues: the club has some available to borrow but this is not guaranteed at each event: hi vis vests are cheap, so it may be worth investing in your own

 Generally

  1. Keep the layout tidy: keep boxes under the layout tables, and clear rubbish to bins either in the layout or elsewhere. Rubbish behind layout can end up in photographs and videos, making them less appealing.
  2. Layout security: please keep an eye on the layout, particularly small items and minifigures, to ensure that they are not touched or moved by visitors
  3. You can – and should – ask visitors politely not to touch the display. If you see visitors touching a display or with their hands across tracks, please ask them politely to move. The earlier this is done, the less likely a crash being caused is
  4. Remember you are representing the club, and the LEGO train hobby, so please do engage with the public and answer their questions about our hobby. The wearing of club clothing is recommended at events – particularly model railway shows.
  5. If you’re taking photographs or videos of the layout, be careful not to include members of the public and especially children in your photographs. For some venues, this is a specific requirement for exhibiting. It’s often best to wait until the event is shut to the public to get photographs or videos.

 Running

  1. As exhibitors we are at events to showcase the LEGO train hobby to visitors. With this in mind, keeping trains running during visitor hours is a priority, rather than testing new trains or building.
  2. Please run in the line direction where possible: this prevents crashes.
  3. Take care of other people’s trains, models and scenery. It is generally best practice to ask a member if you wish to move their train or rolling stock before you touch it.
  4. Shows are not a good time to test new locos, generally – please bring reliable stock to run! Some time before and after the public are in the venue may be available for testing, but this is not necessarily guaranteed.
  5. If you change points, change them back after your movement. Points should generally be left set for the running lines.

In the event of a crash

  1. If you’re blocking a running line, move your train if it is not fixable within 30 seconds
  2. If your train fails 3 times for the same reason at a show, take it off the line.
  3. If you damage a model that isn’t yours and the original builder isn’t there, leave their train in the fiddleyard if possible, with any loose pieces left next to their train

Fiddleyard

  1. Generally, exhibitors have priority over visitors in the fiddleyard.
  2. Some layouts have set rules for who uses which lines. Check with the layout owners!
  3. Fiddleyard space is usually at a premium. If you are not planning to use a train for 30 minutes or more, please remove it from the layout, and return it to your storage box.