"Design-Plan- Build" DVD's

[dbaker48]

Received another one of those trial "Design-Plan-Build" dvd's, Volume 4.  I paid for the first one and have returned all the others.  There is usually 1 interesting article on the DVD but the problem is trying to stay awake through the other articles to get to that one.  (Bob, incase your listineng)  The moderators need to drink about a gallon of coffee, or maybe some Sweet Tea, to get a little enthusiasium in their presentation.   Watching a guy trim plastic with an exacto knife for 5 minutes can be painful.  I was concerned he was going to fall asleep and cut himself.  Overall, I would probably have purchased the others, but the moderation is so monotone it makes our hobby look really boring.

The article regarding prototype track repair and laying was excellant.  Lots of action, interesting, and I found myself hoping it would be a long feature article of the DVD.

Then to top it all off, I received the same deal from NASCAR on Monday.  The medallions, same holder and same offer, hmmmmmm.  Looks to me like some 3rd party is putting these together and offering the package to the publisher and cultivating the subscriber list that the publisher provides.  The Nascar introductory dvd had more enthusiastic moderators.  But even so, being a 40 year race fan, even I get bored with seeing the fight between Donny Allison and Cale Yarborugh rerun from 35 years ago.

[Bob Keller]

A company in Minnesota is producing and marketing the series. They were down here a few months back shooting some material for future editions that will feature Roger and Kent and of course tsome of the guys from Model Railroader.

[dbaker48]

Bob,
I really don't want to be just a complainer.  But the subject matter is pretty good.  And the moderators are certainly knowledgable.  Unfortunately, I guess we all can't be perfect.  But if they could get a little more enthusiastic, the whole thing would be so much better.  The clips that I am specifically reffering to was the bench work build, building the mobile home, and the flex track.  I'm not looking for Oscar level performances but maybe a drink first might relax them a little.

The clip that was on the track maintenance, and the previous dvd that had the UP yard in Nebraska I think was really great.  Maybe a dvd, with those type of proto operations would be beneficial.  I wouldn't mind having a DVD of that nature playing in the background for visitors appreciation.

By the way the articles in CTT you wrote I really enjoyed.  The only issue their is that their isn't enough of them.  You need to develop a 36 hour day.

Thanks

Don Baker