I have found a trailer for pennlug check it out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGBQ2ndYl7s&feature=related
this could be the pennlug traveling layout that could make the club some serious money keep an open mind
we could do schools and other venues just don't pan it until you see the whole video

So what do we do with the not lego model train set inside?

we get our own trailer and build a glued version of our display we tour events like little leagues or malls
we do charity benifits such as kids day at hospitals and we get the word of mouth out about us and what we do
I see a great way to make pennlug bigger and better than any lug out there with just this one idea
we would really benefit from something such as this and it woud make money anytime it moves on the road

I don't want to speak for others, but I suspect Vader22135's enthusiasm and ambitions might be out of line with those of the rest of PennLUG, and I'd like to articulate exactly why. (In the following, assume the pronoun "we" means "PennLUG's dedicated members," which I'm not counting myself among.)

In short: We're AFOLs for the fun, but this idea reduces the hobby to work.

A 56-foot trailer? That's a huge capital investment. Where would we park it? And a huge operating cost -- gas, insurance, tires. Yes, that's what revenue is for, but registering as a business and charging admission is a huge hassle -- as a LUG, our standard practice is to exhibit at an events and let them handle paperwork, leaving us free to focus on building.

Capital investment, operating cost, and time cost -- the trailer needs to be on the road, going places, with staffers. Who has the time for that? At LEGO Kids Fests we get fringe bennies, at Brick* cons we get AFOL socializing, and that's a half-dozen weekends per year. There's none of that if we're essentially forced to run a business.

And a glued version of our display? Gluing is what TLG does, having unlimited bricks and labor; us, we reserve the option to rebuild our models as necessary. And making a duplicate, aside from the parts-expense, has no fun-dividend.

(OTOH, it's possible some of us like the idea of inventing a home business centered on LEGO, but unless they owned the entire display outright, the usual "collaborative display" paradigm seems a poor fit. Speaking for myself, I prefer working for a large company offering a predictable salary, vacation and health benefits.)

I really do not look at the club as a business
it is a hobby to me and I suspect all others
someday in the future the club is going to need a revenue source other than
dues and an occasional event
we are financially limited to what we can do and with the 3 orders in the last 3 months
we are talking alot of hobby money with no way to recoupe it
I do not care at this time what the club decides to do with the idea it was only an idea
not a business proposal
it is something I believe the club should start looking into ways to get what we do
to more of the public
a prime example is the lego window at KOP it gets alot of attention but we do not support it with
any business cards I was in the store 4 times last month and they kept saying everyone wants more
info on who built it and I feel the club missed one here
I did talk to joel about it and he says the cards are in but are there any as of yet at KOP ??
we have some new members lately and it is going well I am just looking to see what "we" can do to make
our footprint a little bigger
just a AFOL not donald pennlug trump

Cale

d

porn i am in 100% I can bring some of my nieces bellville figs
I cannot believe you have been holding out on doing this

Vader22135 wrote:someday in the future the club is going to need a revenue source other than dues ... to get what we do to more of the public ... I am just looking to see what "we" can do to make our footprint a little bigger

There's an unexamined assumption here: That the club needs to get bigger. Why? Where's the dividend? See separate thread for full analysis.

("Exhibit to the public" is IMHO a sub-goal of "get bigger." At present, by exhibiting we're only promoting "Buy more bricks!" and "Join our club!" TLG certainly doesn't need our help in marketing, growth is proceeding apace, and we don't have any "noble" or external goals. We don't fund a charity; we won't achieve fame outside AFOLdom; it's not a résumé builder; we don't encourage sci-tech-math education by mentoring a FLL team or displaying Mindstorms or even a GBC. Possible exception: The exhibits at the non-LEGO car and train museums.)

With all due respect Phil I think you have taken Tony Eule's trailer suggestion a little to seriously.

I thought the idea was pretty funny myself.

Cale

Cale wrote:With all due respect Phil I think you have taken Tony Eule's trailer suggestion a little to seriously.

I thought the idea was pretty funny myself.

Cale

This is entirely possible, and I apologize if I overreacted.

In my defense, however, nothing in the phrasing of Vader's initial post ("keep an open mind" and "don't pan it until you see the whole video") indicated it was meant humorously or hypothetically. For that intent to be clear, I suggest phrases like "This is so cool! Too expensive for us, obviously..." or "Some train hobbyists go overboard, don't they?" or "Imagine if TLG paid LUGs to exhibit in this manner..." or "Let's do this! Just kidding."

Vader: Could you try to be more careful and complete with your phrasing, please? Conversations run more smoothly if readers understand your intent and emotional tone, but effective online writing is a skill that takes practice. If you're rushing, don't -- in here, there's no need to, especially if you're starting a new thread. Be like a carpenter -- "Measure twice, cut once." Compose in Notepad, so the SEND button isn't tempting you. Step away from the PC -- the best ideas come to mind when I'm not staring at the screen.

Club Enclosed Trailer update:

Cale, his dad and I went to look at the trailer I found on CraigsList today. We passed, the price was in our range, but it needed a lot of work to get cleaned up. It also hasn't been inspected in about 6 years, so I'm not sure how much additional $ it would have taken to get it to pass inspection - (I know we have Tony E, Joel and myself that could phycically do the repairs) but new tires, brakes etc... it would add up quickly.

We'll keep looking , please do so as well. Brick Magic is approaching very quickly

Brian

Some thoughts on a trailer if it hasn't been thought of already

The best time to look sometimes is when it's raining. It'll tell you real fast if theres a leak. Sunshiney days ask to run a hose over it. Don't forget a spare tire either! Having an integrated ramp makes life sooo much easier. Lastly, with as tempting as it may be, leave the trailer unmarked. Anything that says what may be inside is asking for theft.

You probably already thought of some of this stuff and more, but just wanted to put it out there.