Fellow I LUG NY members,
First, I’d like to thank Bill for organizing the layout, contacting the museum and having I LUG NY be a part of the fun that was Stamford. I told friends in Will’s Smart-van that the time we spent helping set up the display was an experience that I will never forget. It was a fantasy of mine as a child to have a LEGO layout the size of my basement and I was able to live this fantasy out in Stamford. I found it very cathartic to help bring the layout to life.
Upon seeing the museum brochure for the exhibit I teased Bill (briefly) about being “everyone’s favorite conductor” but I must say, he conducted the event and layout superbly and in a dedicated/professional/devoted manner.
Now on to some lessons learned:
1-Use a paintbrush to brush dust off of models/mocs-man is this a great way to do the job. Cheaer than air canisters and without the bitter taste associated with breathing the fumes in from said canisters.
2-I know the layout plans were an investment of time and energy by Bill. Maybe he can share this program for creating baseplate layouts with the group?
3-If you plan on keeping models together once you dismantle the layout, pack accordingly. This means having boxes, bubble wrap, ziplocs, and labels for what you have to put back in these containers so you don’t have to do twice the work when you get home.
4-Either photo or add a tiny element to the bottom of your vehicles so you know what is yours when you tear down the display. I mistakenly had 1 of Bill’s vehicles in my pile of models and when I checked the undercarriage of the car I saw a green 1×1 plate attached to it. This is a great way to remember what is yours!
5-Round up the troops way in advance so many people can help with set up and tear down. It takes a small village to set up a layout of this magnitude.
6-Interact with the public. You will appreciate their insights and questions. I had a blast talking with the parents, kids and potential new members who visited the display.
7-Try to be there on the day when famous movie stars visit the display!
8-It was great to see how other members build. I am still blown away by Mike’s barn and Brett’s hangar.
I hope we can be a part of this next year and in other museums!