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Collaborative ventures almost always yield insights that we probably would not have gained on our own. Our recent three-month model railroad exhibit at Six Flags New England is a good example.
The Belt Lines model railroad (renamed the Rockville Train Show) ran from May through July and attracted literally thousands of visitors - many seeing an operating model railroad for the first time.
Six Flags staff, trained by Amherst, managed the railroad. All came to the exhibit with no model railroad experience. None. But, they were entertainers. They were pros, really. So, the learning curve for the staff was how to operate and maintain all aspects of a model railroad, which they did with enthusiasm. Then, they took that knowledge, combined it with their entertainment expertise and made the model railroad exhibit a fun, entertaining experience for Six Flags visitors.
Because of their entertainment mind-set, the staff at Six Flags supported the pure enjoyment of model railroads. They know that when visitors pay to spend a day at Six Flags, they are paying to be entertained. They are there to have fun. And, as employees, that is what they are trained to deliver.
The people at Six Flags helped us, Amherst, better understand how to be good entertainers, as well as good model railroaders. They showed us the importance of engaging with visitors, the importance of bringing more smiles and laughter to our hobby.
The take-away - we need to find ways to raise the fun-factor in the hobby, just like the folks at Six Flags. That’s not to say we are bad at it. But, we could be better. And our continuing collaborative work with Six Flags will help us grow and develop our model railroad entertainment skills. GJM
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