The Loose Association of Wargamers

Our relationship with the train guys is interesting. In the first few years, they regarded us with suspicion & bewilderment. What the hell was "wargaming"?

Over the years, we'd take time, do the rounds, make appreciative comments & ask questions (we picked up a certain amount of terrain making technique). Particularly given the static nature of their displays, they were amazed at how each year, we did something radically different. At any rate, most of them will pop over to see what we're doing this year & to ask questions.

I think they're impressed that we deal well with the public. I know that's why the organisers ask us back each year.

I'd say that's a good & useful crossover Donald.

BaronVonWreckedoften wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 5:22 pm Yes, but do you get to make the trains run on time?

Same way as Mussolini did - increase the scheduled times by 5 minutes...

Peeler wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 8:07 pm I'd say that's a good & useful crossover Donald.

Just so long as he remembers to stop once the lights start flashing and the barriers come down......

Etranger wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 8:35 pm Same way as Mussolini did - increase the scheduled times by 5 minutes...

Most of the UK train companies have been using that one since de-nationalisation.

You're all wrong about Musso. He simply shot anyone who owned a watch. Problem solved.

You need a piece of card.
For a large display game I suggest A4.

On one side, you print and stick: the French flag (perhaps surrounded by a border of French-Allied states flags)

On the other side: a chequer-board design of the Coalition nation’s flags.

You laminate it.

You let everybody play their own games, in their own sector, at their own pace, BUT... the overall game turn doesn’t move on until that card is flipped.
And that card is only flipped after everybody’s been asked if they’re done.

This system was used for the huge Ayton GdB weekend games which preceded LAW Ayton. Works a treat.
Those who finish their turn quickly get to watch the action in neighbouring sectors, or grab a cuppa.

Norman D. Landings wrote: ↑Wed Feb 05, 2020 7:51 am You let everybody play their own games, in their own sector, at their own pace, BUT... the overall game turn doesn’t move on until that card is flipped.
And that card is only flipped after everybody’s been asked if they’re done.

Genius.

When 'we' refought Leipzig in 2013 as a public demonstration (I was only peripherally involved) one thing that helped the audience were some large (A3 IIRC) laminated maps showing movements of the various armies so that spectators could orientate themselves with reference to what was happening on the table. We simply printed out those in the wiki on the battle. They're public domain so there are no copyright issues. I 'might' have them in a drawer somewhere. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leipzig

ET, are your drawers on the Wikipedia Leipzig page? I dare not look.