First I would like to congratulate Steve for what he has done by making videos for our enjoyment and education on model railroading. I am sure it is harder than it looks and Steve has certainly made some nice professional looking content that still takes the angle of a regular model railroader.
Steve asked for comments and feedback so I thought I would give some of my opinions. Please this is just my views and preferences and Steve and others may take them with as little or as much value as they wish.
I like Steve’s enthusiasm, though I would agree with some others that it is a bit much, and I think his style of ”blog” video as oppossed to “how to” style videos fits a more enthusiastic person. I would prefer a bit less talk and a bit more show of the layout, and based on what I’ve seen of It’s My Railroad on YouTube. I would also prefer Steve shorten his videos to about 20 mins instead of 40 by eliminating some talking. That is NOT to say get rid of the talking all together, we need it to get an introduction to the videos, but as it is I often skip much of the talking myself to get to the actual “content”. Of course once again this is my opinion and it may not be how others like it or more importantly how Steve likes it (these are after all his videos and he can decide how to make them.)
I look forward to seeing more It’s My Railroad and thank Steve for taking this brave step to get some feedback. Steve’s willingness to accept feedback should continue to make his show better and better.
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Didn't I say "no sniping at other Forum users"? That means no name-calling, even if you aren't referring to a specific person. Posts have been edited.
If I have to step into this thread again, penalties will be handed out.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
blucrsrSteve, keep up the great work. Really enjoy your presentation style and look forward to future videos. Been watching your YT videos for a while and I honestly was shocked to see you here at MRR. Welcome aboard!
Thanks and that is AWESOME! You know how much I love hanging out with the community. Over on MRVP it's a little harder to engage, so we agree to open this thread. Tottaly cool to see you here and I look forward to talking about the vids as they are published.
Thanks again, and rail-on brother!
s~
Model Railroader Video Plus: MRVP
Also On YouTube: IMRR
rrebell Water Level Route ItsMyRailroad the possibility exists that some would find some comments in this forum to be unnecessarily brutal. One of the key problems of internet forums and web page comments sections. People hide behind their avatar and say things they would likely never say if standing face to face with someone as most have been taught to treat others with a little courtesy. Not saying folks weren't asked for their feedback, or that anyone responded outside of how they actually feel. Rather, online anonymity shuts off some individual's courtesy filters so brutal honesty sometimes comes out. That is a problem with me, even if I were talking to someone, I tell the truth, good, bad or indeferent. Don't ask for comments unless you really want an answer.
Water Level Route ItsMyRailroad the possibility exists that some would find some comments in this forum to be unnecessarily brutal. One of the key problems of internet forums and web page comments sections. People hide behind their avatar and say things they would likely never say if standing face to face with someone as most have been taught to treat others with a little courtesy. Not saying folks weren't asked for their feedback, or that anyone responded outside of how they actually feel. Rather, online anonymity shuts off some individual's courtesy filters so brutal honesty sometimes comes out.
ItsMyRailroad the possibility exists that some would find some comments in this forum to be unnecessarily brutal.
One of the key problems of internet forums and web page comments sections. People hide behind their avatar and say things they would likely never say if standing face to face with someone as most have been taught to treat others with a little courtesy. Not saying folks weren't asked for their feedback, or that anyone responded outside of how they actually feel. Rather, online anonymity shuts off some individual's courtesy filters so brutal honesty sometimes comes out.
That is a problem with me, even if I were talking to someone, I tell the truth, good, bad or indeferent. Don't ask for comments unless you really want an answer.
Ahhhhhh! We really DO want the answer. I would just say that some folks have a hard time communicating that answer without being brutal. This is an awesome hobby populated by awesome people. But, civility can sometimes be supplanted by aynonymity. I hope to hear your feedback as the series progresses: good, bad, or otherwise - this is why we started this thread.
Thanks and rail-on my friend!
Srwill2 Well, I thought the video works and I give MRVP credit for bringing in a new person who is not an “expert”.
Well, I thought the video works and I give MRVP credit for bringing in a new person who is not an “expert”.
Hey Steve, thanks for the comment. I am not and expert for sure, but I gotta tell you: I'm not too bad at some stuff. I learn something new everyday which is one of the things I love about this hobby! I even learn new things from other folks who are not "experts". Thanks for your positive feedback and for watching MRVP.
Rail-on my friend!
selector I wish the OP well, and hope he can find the magic, the balance, that helps him to achieve his aims.
I wish the OP well, and hope he can find the magic, the balance, that helps him to achieve his aims.
Thanks for your feedback my friend. And if I am reading this post correctly... the encouragement!
BigDaddy ItsMyRailroad Because we have the right to say anything we want does not mean we should say anything we want. Let's all try to remember that with great freedom comes great responsibility. Here Here. I've watched a couple of the Toy Train videos. They were well produced videos on a subject I don't care much about. I learned something but if it was Toy Trains VP, I would not subscribe. It's not TTVP, it's MRVP and I don't expect or insist that every MRVP video be geared to my interests.
ItsMyRailroad Because we have the right to say anything we want does not mean we should say anything we want. Let's all try to remember that with great freedom comes great responsibility.
Here Here.
I've watched a couple of the Toy Train videos. They were well produced videos on a subject I don't care much about. I learned something but if it was Toy Trains VP, I would not subscribe.
It's not TTVP, it's MRVP and I don't expect or insist that every MRVP video be geared to my interests.
Thanks for throwing that in there Big Daddy. I am a part of MRVP and yet not EVERY video suits my taste. Glad we can agree that there are different tastes for diffeent folks, and all of it is AWESOME! Rail-on my friend!
Water Level Route If you can't take someone talking with their hands, I hope you never have to witness my wife, sister-in-law, and their friends together!
.
And you definitely don't want to sit in one of my lectures.
I not only talk with my hands (with excessive enthusiasm), but I scribble all over a white board while I am doing it!
My co workers love to go into an auditorium after I have made a speach and try to decipher the white board scribbles. Some of them end up way too funny.
E-L man tomI cannot BELIEVE the amount of negative feedback that this post has generated!
Me too!
OldSchoolScratchbuilderI watched the video and love it. Steve Brown is enthusiastic, entertaining, and I even like his haircut.
Me too! All the way!
Keep the style Steve Brown. I think it works for you.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
ItsMyRailroadBecause we have the right to say anything we want does not mean we should say anything we want. Let's all try to remember that with great freedom comes great responsibility.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I watched the video and love it. Steve Brown is enthusiastic, entertaining, and I even like his haircut.
His port project is very timely as I am about to build one in HO. Last week my first wooden model ship arrived at the hobby shop. This 1:75 Belem is close enough for My Railroad and I am going to enjoy it.
Reply to the OP and give your opinion on his video all you like, but refrain from sniping at each other, please. Posts have been deleted.
riogrande5761 AzBaja Working a job and doing what modeling he can on the weekend. If anyone one of you can do a better job, Sounds like the majority of folks on YouTube. aye! Thanks for the same tired worn out rebuttle "do a better job". Most can't but they can still tell what isn't working for them, hello.
AzBaja Working a job and doing what modeling he can on the weekend. If anyone one of you can do a better job,
Working a job and doing what modeling he can on the weekend. If anyone one of you can do a better job,
Sounds like the majority of folks on YouTube. aye! Thanks for the same tired worn out rebuttle "do a better job". Most can't but they can still tell what isn't working for them, hello.
Jim,That's because they have such good teachers...
You see the "experts" prattle on and on about doing better modeling without knowing a modelers skill limitation or in some case not knowing some modelers may be modeling with a handicap..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I would not have said a word if the OP had not asked.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Wow....
First, I have not seen the video. I have found that, unless they specifically purport to be how-to videos, I find almost all of them far too zany for my tastes, and this applies to youtube, the weekly What's New at the other site, and I'm sensing I'll find the same thing here. Chacun son gout.
Maybe I have gotten mellow in my dotage, me a former moderator here who admits to having had a heavy hand at times, but I haven't seen anything posted yet that I would term objectionable or even disagreeable. Blunt, yeah, but there's nothing overtly personal...so far.
If feedback is entreated, it should be expected in all its forms. The magic happens when the person requesting it uses it; there's where the evolution and success will be found. I wish the OP well, and hope he can find the magic, the balance, that helps him to achieve his aims.
Mike
E-L man tomTo your point, Carl, I didn't say that you're not entitled to your opinion
My point is simply that it's appropriate to set the bar higher for paid content vs stuff that's offered for free.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
ItsMyRailroadthe possibility exists that some would find some comments in this forum to be unnecessarily brutal.
carl425Yeah but... MRVP is a product that requires a paid subsciption. My understanding was that only the first episode is free. If that is not true, and the series is going to remain free, then I withdraw my comments. Otherwise, as a paid customer asked for my opinion of this PRODUCT, I stand by what I've said. I wonder how many of the thumbs up votes come from folks that pay for MRVP.
To your point, Carl, I didn't say that you're not entitled to your opinion, I just am surprised at how one who is passionate about the hobby, as I'm sure you are as well, that there is a lack of shared appreciation, along with a sense of humor, for someone to put on a video such as this. A teaser to subscribe perhaps, but that goes back to my comment about who owns and moderates this forum.
And, no, I for one, am not a paid subscriber. I may someday subscribe but my focus right now is to get the benchwork built for my new layout (my third one).
So, to quote the tag from a regular on this forum, "If you're having fun you're doing it the right way"
E-L man tomAfter all, this is a HOBBY, freinds! A hobby is supposed to be fun and light-hearted.
For some, there is a fine line between "light-hearted" and "annoying".
E-L man tomFurther, in case you all have forgotten, this is a MODEL RAILROADER (Magazine) FORUM! I believe that whatever they want to do on their forums, they're pretty much entitled to do.
Yeah but... MRVP is a product that requires a paid subsciption. My understanding was that only the first episode is free. If that is not true, and the series is going to remain free, then I withdraw my comments. Otherwise, as a paid customer asked for my opinion of this PRODUCT, I stand by what I've said.
I wonder how many of the thumbs up votes come from folks that pay for MRVP.
I cannot BELIEVE the amount of negative feedback that this post has generated!
After all, this is a HOBBY, freinds! A hobby is supposed to be fun and light-hearted. And, although I have been in this hobby a shorter time than many of you on this forum, I don't, by any means, consider myself a beginner, and yet, I am open to not only new ideas but what others are doing on their railroads as well.
Further, in case you all have forgotten, this is a MODEL RAILROADER (Magazine) FORUM! I believe that whatever they want to do on their forums, they're pretty much entitled to do. and, like Kevin and Mr. Pruitt have said, it is always good to get beginners, both the youth and those of us further on in years, interested in the hobby. so, if it apeals to the beginner/youth demographic, then so be it.
I have not seen the video yet, but I suspect I will like it. I've tried watching some other model railroading videos on YT, thinking I would like them, especially ones that cover more technical topics like signalling. However, they were utter snooze-fests. And I watch plenty of other things on YT that some would probably find even MORE boring, but the presneters I watch tend to be upbeat and enthusiastic, and in many cases, unscripted, so if they mess up - it's still on the video. They don't edit that stuff out.
Heck I love Rapido's product videos - maybe they will soon release a product I can actually use - and those guys are complete nuts. They definitely keep the fun in model railroading.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
AzBaja The brown dude is just like most of us. Working a job and doing what modeling he can on the weekend.
The brown dude is just like most of us. Working a job and doing what modeling he can on the weekend.
You bring up an excellent point, AZ. There are all kinds of AWESOME expert modeler videos out there and I watch them like the rest of you folks. What we're doing with It's My Railroad is different. It is the journey of just a regular guy model railroader - just like the bulk of the model railroaders out there. ...and if we can have a couple of laughs along the way, why not?
Srwill2 Steve B, keep up the good work! Steve
Steve B, keep up the good work!
Steve
Thanks for that encouragement, and thanks for watching!
carl425 Those that think Steve is being unfairly critized need to reread his opening post. ItsMyRailroad I would love to hear your comments, and feedback.
Those that think Steve is being unfairly critized need to reread his opening post.
ItsMyRailroad I would love to hear your comments, and feedback.
Hi Carl! You are exactly right. However, while my skin is pretty thick, the possibility exists that some would find some comments in this forum to be unnecessarily brutal. It's the kind of thing that would drive people away from this awesome community rather than endear them to it.
Because we have the right to say anything we want does not mean we should say anything we want. Let's all try to remember that with great freedom comes great responsibility.
But enough sermonizing, let's get back to railing!
Harrison Steve Brown, I have a question for you: Did you film all the episodes and send them all in to MRVP, or have you only filmed one so far?
Steve Brown, I have a question for you: Did you film all the episodes and send them all in to MRVP, or have you only filmed one so far?
Hi Harrison!
Thanks for asking! Two are finished and one is in production.
ItsMyRailroadI would love to hear your comments, and feedback.
I for one found it refreshing to see a model railroad video with some enthusiasm. If you can't take someone talking with their hands, I hope you never have to witness my wife, sister-in-law, and their friends together! I've seen other mrr videos where I think the presenter is afraid to speak up or move in case they might have a coronary. Totally mono-tone presentation. Those are the ones I find difficult to watch. I say keep it up.