New Model RR video series coming out

[jfugate]

Just wanted to pass on to everyone that there's a new model railroad video series coming out on my HO SP Siskiyou Line.

My web site has been popular (over 50,000 hits since I put it up a few years ago) and the two-part article I did in the Jan and Feb 97 MR on the mushroom design concept and how the Siskiyou Line models it was well received.

The video series is being produced by MyMemoirs Video and will be the first of its kind: a thorough documentary on how to design, build, and construct a large home layout in 5 parts.

I've used the popular V&O Story series/book published by Carstens in the late 1970s as my inspiration. I'm thinking that other modelers could benefit from what I've done, what I've learned, and could benefit from a "learn by example" video series.

I'm happy to entertain questions anyone may have on the series, and since only the first video is "in the can" as they say at this point, if you have a hot topic you are curious about and would like me to cover, then speak up! I'll see if I can address it.

To see more about the series, go to http://model-trains-video.com . To see more about my layout, just use the link on my signature.

[jfugate]

And if the model-trains-video.com link doesn't work for you, try this one:

http://my-memoirs.com/model-trains.asp

[brothaslide]

Will there be a wide screen format for DVD?

[jfugate]

Yep, the video is being shot in widescreen with dolby digital sound. The widescreen format really helps because you can see things better, makes it more like you are really there. Lends a kind of cinematic feel to things, too.

There will be both a DVD and VHS version. You can see a clip of a train running on my layout here: http://my-memoirs.com/preview.asp

While this shows a "beauty shot" of my layout (and the video will have several of those) there will also be lots of content with me explaining, showing, and demonstrating things in a follow me, here's what I do, sort of style.

[jfugate]

The series will consist of 5 volumes:

Vol 1: The Siskiyou Line - A video tour
Bringing a large home layout to life

Vol 2: Design and construction
Planning and building a large multideck layout

Vol 3: Electrical and control
Digital command control wiring, tips and tricks for the large layout

Vol 4: Scenery and bridges
Rapid scenery techniques and kitbashing bridges

Vol 5: Operating like the Prototype
Planning and performing realistic operation on a large layout

We switched volumes 3 and 4 (originally had the scenery one before the DCC one) since you really want to do the wiring before you cover everything with plaster. ;-)

[jfugate]

BTW, to illustrate some of the kinds of things I will cover in this video, here's a little-known tidbit that's on my web site. It's not on any main links yet, so you won't find it unless I give you the link. It's about how to make convincing model roads. Here's a sample photo:



To learn more, click this link: http://siskiyou.railfan.net/model_rod.html

I hope to include lots of tips and tricks like this in the video series, covering all aspects of layout design, construction and maintenance.

[jfugate]

Just wanted to mention that the producer of this video series, myMemoirs Video, has posted the covers to all five videos on their web site.

See: http://my-memoirs.com/model-trains.asp .

[Anonymous]

I WANT THE BOX SET packaged in a boxcar.[:D]

[jfugate]

Now there's an interesting picture.

But it's not very "Siskiyou Line"-ey. How about a lower quadrant semaphore (with an arm that is hinged so you can move it) and the videos sit in the base behind the mechanism box door?

[swg]

[CBQ_Guy]

Where do I sign up to buy the ENTIRE SET?!!

Oh wait, I already did that. Y'all better do the same! [^]

[jfugate]

Speaking of the entire set, myMemoirs has put together the covers for the series:



Pretty cool!

[jfugate]

Update:

The May MR has an ad on the top left of page 120 for the video.

MyMemoirs plans to start shipping volume 1 the week of April 19. It's $29.95, 67 minutes, and available on DVD or VHS.

MyMemoirs is offering a preorder special ...

1. Buy volume 1 ($29.95) and get entered in a drawing to win the entire 5 volume series FREE.

2. Buy a post-paid subscription to the 5-volume series and get entered into a drawing to win a FREE round-trip travel fare to a Siskiyou Line Op session (worth up to $500). The subscription is payable in 4 monthly installments of $24.75 each.

Go to: http://model-trains-video.com

[jfugate]

Update:

MyMemoirs Video has pushed back the release date for the first video by two weeks from April 19 to May 3. To make it worth the wait they are adding some of the deleted runby footage in as a special feature on the DVD and VHS tape, adding maybe 10 minutes of material.

Also, myMemoirs will be at the NMRA National Train Show in July, hopefully with video #2 just released.



See http://model-trains-video.com for more information.

[lyctus]

Will the DVDs be "all zones" and viewable in PAL format in sunny Australia ? Is this still relevant in DVD as in VHS tape recordings ??? My mouth is watering and I'll hit the subscribe button depending on the answer to the above questions. I still look back at the MR articles from time to time and marvel at the concept/modelling.

[jfugate]

The DVD will be all zones NTSC. *However*, MyMemoirs has full DVD production capability and will burn you a PAL version if that is what you need. They're already doing it for someone else in Australia. Just let them know in your order that you prefer a PAL version and they'll do it for you.

And thanks for the kind words about past articles and my modeling. I train adults as part of my job and I have strong opinions about how training material needs to be made to hit all 4 major learning styles in the adult population.

To get the next generation into this hobby bigtime, I think we're going to have to move beyond print media if we're going to reach them ... thus this video series. I hope it's the beginning of a new how-to trend in the hobby!


Charlie Comstock hostles power on the Siskiyou Line.

[jfugate]

Just wanted to remind everyone that volume 1 of this series starts shipping Monday (May 3).

MyMemoirs will be doing the special drawings to give away great free prizes to those who have advanced ordered one or more of the videos in the 5-volume series.

You can either win the entire series free, or you can get your way paid to a Siskiyou Line op session! If these sound interesting to you, see: http://model-trains-video.com .

You've got until Monday to get your name in the hat for one of these great prizes!


http://model-trains-video.com

[Anonymous]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I first say your layout in MR and was quite impressed with it. I am glad your modeling has continued and you are sharing your results with the rest of us. I hope to oneday do the same with my layout.

James

[jfugate]

Thanks, James for the kind words.

Say, here's a tip on the videos: use coupon code MM0102 and you'll save 10 bucks (on the single only ... the series subscription does not have coupon codes since you are already saving $50 over the price of all 5 videos as single, plus the sub is *free postage* to boot.

Remember, coupon code MM0102 saves you 10 bucks.

[jjbmish]

Just ordered the whole set. Now I'm waiting patiently, when is it going to get here? LOL Looking forward to watching the entire set.

John

[jfugate]

John:

The first video begins shipping this week. If you don't see video 1 by the end of next week, make sure and let myMemoirs know: [e-mail]

We projected 9 weeks to do video 1, and it has taken 13 weeks to produce it ... so much for the guess on the first one. Now that we know what it takes for me, working with myMemoirs to produce a quality DVD, myMemoirs wants to schedule all future volumes at 15 weeks each.

That puts the release for Volume 2 at August 30. I was hoping they'd have volume 2 for sale at the Seattle National in July, but oh well. They want a date they know they can beat so they don't have to push back release dates any more.

I suspect for the future releases, they'll hit the date within a week, instead of missing by 4 weeks this first time.

Make sure and let me know what you think of the video, good or otherwise. I plan to use the feedback I get to enhance the rest of the series so we make sure and cover what people want to see in the way they want to see it.

[Anonymous]

Yay, SP power. I can't wait for your first volume to arrive on my doorstep! Here is all I have at the moment. Note the worn handrails on the GP9.

[dickiee]

Hi Joe,

I just ordered the series...if it is half as great as it looks and sounds I will be impressed. I am just getting back into the hobby after about a 20 year hiatus. I'm 66 now and I hope I have enough time left to get something running...meanwhile I am enjoying all the fantastic new "stuff" that wasn't around twenty years ago. I thank you ahead for all your efforts in the hobby.

Richard

[jfugate]

Here are the winners of the Siskiyou Line Video pre-order drawings!

Winner of the free video subscription: Patrick Dillane of Ashtabula, OH

Winner of the free trip to a Siskiyou Line Op session: Michael Morris of Carbondale, IL

Congratulations, Patrick and Michael!

Going forward, myMemoirs will be holding a monthly drawing among the series subscription purchasers for a free sub to the series. If you buy a subscription, you automatically get entered into a drawing for a free sub that month. Each month there will be a drawing to win.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

Here are the winners of the Siskiyou Line Video pre-order drawings!

Winner of the free trip to a Siskiyou Line Op session: Michael Morris of Carbondale, IL

Hey, Carbondale's only a few hours south of me. Mike can swing by on his way to Joe's place and pick me up.

Yessir, looks like ol Mike's about to become my new best friend! [;)]

[jjbmish]

Maybe I can swing by and come along for the ride LOL

[jjbmish]

Has anyone recieved there 1st dvd or tape yet? What did you think of it? Looking forward to getting mine in the near future.

John

[AntonioFP45]

For those of you that have seen this new series; how does it compare to the Gordon Keller video series? Are there similarities? Is this series just as good but shown in a different style?

Any details?

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

For those of you that have seen this new series; how does it compare to the Gordon Keller video series? Are there similarities? Is this series just as good but shown in a different style?

Any details?

You must mean Gordon's brother, Allen.

I'll leave the explanation of the concept of the video to Mr. Fugate. (And it's a winning concept, IMO.)

[jfugate]

Paul:

Get your video yet? Would like to hear from someone who has gotten a copy what they think, good, bad, or indifferent.

Most of the DVDs have shipped at this point. The VHS tapes are still at the duplicators and myMemoirs is rendering the PAL version for the overseas orders now.

About the concept of the video series ...

The basic idea is to do what the famous V&O series did in the late 1970s ... to delve into enough detail on a single layout that you learn many of the concepts and approaches you would learn just as if you did your own large layout. Learning by example, as it were.

On the first volume, for example, we show you the layout just as if you came over for a tour. That means you get to see way more of the layout than you would get in a typical Allen Keller video. I show the layout scenicked areas, unscenicked areas, under the benchwork, and so on. Our goal is for you to feel like you actually came over for a visit to the Siskiyou Line.



The series will do way more than just show you some "layout beauty shots" or just give you a couple of modeling tips -- which is the format used by Allen Keller in his videos.

While Keller's concept is a good one if you've only got 60 minutes, we've got 350 - 400 minutes spread across 5 videos. We'll be diving into many important topics around doing a large operating model RR, and do it in quite a bit of depth ... more than you are going to get in the typical magazine article or video.

If you feel like you have helped design, construct, scenic, and operate the Siskiyou Line when you are done watching the series, then we will have accomplished our goal. Armed with what you learn from that "experience" hopefully, your own modeling efforts will be more successful.

[jjbmish]

I still haven't recieved my dvd yet, but I'm planning on watching it the first evening that I get it. I'm really looking forward to getting it, and I'll let you know right away what I think of it.

John