What is the purpose of a model train show? To me it seems to serve two main purposes; firstly, to show off our hobby and secondly to encourage and inspire people to joint in. While there is allot of dispute about how to do this (and while I have some views myself about presentation of layouts) I wanted to post about one person who seems to be getting people involved in a practical and fun way. I am referring to Geoff Nott.
Geoff and his friends runs hands on scenery making demonstrations mainly for kids at many of the Sydney model railway shows
Geoff at work at the Castle Hill show (note the enthusiastic kids and parents).
For the more restrained there are also displays of how to convert odds and ends into wonderful scenery.
I think this approach is really where model railway shows should be going namely; involving the general public in the hands on aspects of the hobby to get them to feel that model railwaying is more than a few greying over 50’s blokes chatting with their mates.
It helps that Geoff is a friendly bloke who seems always ready to pass on his considerable skills in modelling.
