Toy train videos & DVDs

[Frank53]

check out The Train Show - it's a web based 30 minute tv show format on model rail roading in all scales. THey have had several O-Gauge based shows featuring layouts and some how-to's. It is not very polished but it is entertaining. I have downloaded the shows I liked - they are about 70 meg each.

[PaulEFudd]

Hi,

Since I've been back in the hobby I have purchased every video of O & S scale (and every back issue of CTT and OGR) I could find and IMO their is a shortage/lack of production. I have just about all the TM videos, OGR, and even some Allen Keller HO and O-scale (they are the best IMO). I watch them all again and again for both inspiration and relaxation. Hi-Rail layouts are my favorite, although I enjoy the toy layouts as well.

Our local PBS station use to show "Tracks Ahead" every Saturday but no more unfortunately. This is an excellent show that features model and prototype railroading every episode. I am somewhat flabbergasted that with all the cable channels available (and lousy ones at that) there is no hobby-related programs.

Are there other people who love model railroading videos/DVDs and would you also like to see more produced? Years ago, both OGR and TM had a quarterly video magazine but interest apparently wained as they both ceased production. I long advocated on the OGR forum that the magazines could produce a 2/year video/DVD of all the layouts featured in the magazines, along with a follow-up interview with the layout builder. I personally prefer the Allen Keller style of production, i.e., kind of a railfanning tour of the layout from both a prototypical and artistic-license perspective, and then an interview and how-to clinics with the layout builder.

If you enjoy the magazine spreads of layouts, I highly suggest getting some videos/DVDs. If a picture = 1,000 words, a video = 100,000! My layout is almost 7 years in the making and I need at least 2 more years to get things under control. I visit local friends layouts every now and again and this provides inspiration (and friendship), but it is the layout videos that are the main source of ideas and motivation.

Paul