DIY's working on the railroad

[tmcc man]

who watched workin on the railroad last nite? I found the information on the scenery techniques very useful. I already planned on making a long tunnel along the backside of my layout. Lets talk about the show.

[Rescuedtrains]

I like the way they used glue for securing the track to the roadbed. Does anyone here use some type of adhesive(nail-no-more, RTV silicone) to attach a metal tie type of track to the roadbed? This would definetly make it quieter.

Steve

[Big_Boy_4005]

I watched and taped it again last night, but as usual didn't see much that thrilled me. The highlight from my perspective was the hot knife, I could use one of those. I have the Woodland Scenics hot wire, and for cutting pink or blue foam, it's virtually useless. I tried it once, and never again.

My big problem is, I don't plan to use any of the techniques or materials that have been demonstrated so far. I have other ideas that are less costly and equally effective, and are applicable to ALL SCALES.

Spending 30 seconds explaining how to crumple paper properly, is cause for concern in my mind. It turns out, I've been doing it all wrong for 40 years.

Please don't get me wrong. I LOVE WOODLAND SCENICS scenery products. They revolutionized the hobby with their ground foam back in the late 70's. If it wasn't for them, we might still be using sawdust.

I know that I can be quite the critic at times, but to take two full shows to demonstrate what is in the printed instructions that come with the kit, seems a bit much to me. I'm still hoping to see something useful in this series, but thus far, those moments have been few and far between.

I think it's great to have a show about model railroading on DIY, but if this continues to move at the same slow and dry pace, people will lose interest. Then there is a good chance the show won't be renewed.

[Jumijo]

Elliot,

I didn't know there was a right or wrong way to crumple paper until I watched the show Saturday night. Who knew? This week's show was interesting, at least in my opinion. I see that they apply the plastercloth wet. I have been wringing it out somewhat.

Next week's show will be of high interest to me. Turning white plastercloth into realistic scenery. Remember, this series is most beneficial to beginners. I'm a beginner, so I am getting a heck of a lot more out of it than someone who's been in the hobby for a while. Future episodes will get away from this layout and on to other aspects of the hobby, like garden railroading, etc.

Jim

[Big_Boy_4005]

Jim, I hear what you are saying, and it is easy to be a critic, especially when you have been in this hobby as long as I have. I'm glad that you are finding some of the material useful, that's the whole point of the show.

I just think they could get a better bang for their production buck with a different approach.
They are taking 5 episodes to go step by step through this kit. All along the way they are only presenting one method for each step. This really sells short all of the great ideas that have been presented in the magazine articles over the years.

In one of the upcoming episodes, they will have to make trees. I'll bet dollars to donuts that they will be Woodland Scenics, and they will spend about 2 minutes bending and shaping, gluing and foliating, and sticking them on the layout.

There are so many ways to make good looking trees, many of which use ground foam. Why not spend more of that precious air time exploring a wide range of trees, instead of another shake the box job.

If I was the creative director of this show, each episode would cover a different aspect of model railroading, I've already mentioned trees, so let's run with it. I would find someone with a great layout that had developed their own method of making trees, aspens are a great example.

The first segment would be a layout tour with the emphasis on the featured element. The point is to get people inspired, and thinking, that's cool. Next have the layout's owner demonstrate how he made them. The rest of the show would feature different tree making methods. Making trees with natural materials, maybe pine trees, or even palm trees.

The point is that beginners, intermediates, and experts could all come away with new ideas from the same show.

The structure episode, which I think was the second in the series, was much better, creatively speaking. The trip to the Henry Ford Museum was for lack of a better term, off topic filler. The interesting part of the show was the interview with the woman who had scratch built all those buildings, and the demonstration of construction techniques. Again, this kind of material provides inspiration and information that anybody can use.

Entertainment and education needs to be the focus, with the occasional word from our sponsor mixed in.

[Jumijo]

Elliot,

After reading your ideas of what the show should/could be, we are in total agreement. I also think they spend too much time on the wrong things. How much time was spent glueing down foam blocks? Too much. Your tree example is a good one. That's how the show should be formatted, and hopefully, as this 5-part series ends, will be.

As for the occasional word from the sponsors, is it just me or is there too much already? A half hour isn't really much time as is, but when you add in all the ads for other DIY programming, it shakes out to be what, 20 minutes?

You nailed it, Elliot. I hope someone from DIY is reading your post!

Jim

[spankybird]

Elliot and Jim - My layout is in bad trouble, as I have also crumbled my paper the wrong way, and used tape to hold it in place.

I thought it was me, but there seems to be way to many 'words from our Sponcers'

[laz 57]

Yes it does seem like too many commercials.
Need to do some of that fast action stuff to keep the show moving. That whole thing should only take two episodes.
laz57

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Guys, glad to hear it's not just me. One aspect of the show that may be the saddest of all, is one that you don't even realize. The guy in the dark green shirt, holds the title "master model railroader".

If you aren't in the NMRA, you probably have no idea what that title means. It's kind of like being a "doctor" of model railroading. It means that you have completed the NMRA's achievement program, and are a well rounded expert. To date, fewer than 350 people have ever achieved this status, and the NMRA was established in 1934.

This is not to say that there aren't plenty of other knowledgible hobbyists out there, who are more more expert in their given area, but MMR's have proven that they know quite a bit about a lot of different areas within the hobby.

My real point here is that his true talents are being wasted putting together this kit layout, and 99% of the audience has no idea.

The truth is, I want to see his layout, because I'm sure he has a nice one.

[Jumijo]

Although I enjoy it, I'm hoping the show will evolve. The show's host has another show, about RC hobbies, and it's pretty good. I enjoy watching that as well. BUT, I'm not an RC guy. Ya dig?

Jim

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

Although I enjoy it, I'm hoping the show will evolve. The show's host has another show, about RC hobbies, and it's pretty good. I enjoy watching that as well. BUT, I'm not an RC guy. Ya dig?

Jim

Actually Jim, I saw Chris Chianelli (the guy in the blue shirt) hosting a third show on DIY. It was a college robot building challenge. It was kind of funny, because his hair was totally wild and messed up, I think in an effort to give him an Einstein like look.

I was talking about the older guy with the glasses. His name is Miles Hale. He's the MMR. In the structures episode they had a different MMR.

[Jumijo]

I knew who you were talking about, Elliot. My point was that Chianelli's other show (RC Hobbies) is entertaining enough for a non-RC guy to watch. I'm hoping he will make this show as entertaining. His hair is always wacky, no matter what show he is hosting.

Mr. Hale sure does seem to know what he's doing. He flies through the steps as if he's done it countless times.

The structure "expert" a few weeks back was also quite knowledgable, just not as quick to get the info out.

I'm hoping once the River Pass episodes go by, we will see a return to the format and content of the first few episodes. That being a layout tour, and some pro tips. In the mean time, I think I'm going to learn a lot from this Saturday's (11/5) show about scenery.

Jim

[Big_Boy_4005]

Yes Jim, but for the college robot show his hair was extra whacky. I don't think that guy is capable of a "good hair day", just a "not quite so bad hair day".[swg]

I tease him about his hair, but he's really a pretty good host. As we previously agred, it's the content that could use help.