Another Challenge ?

[Chamby]

They have sent an e-mail to model railway clubs inviting interest, we got one last week. We were rather flattered to be considered among “the nations most talented railway modelers” (sic). Our first thought was that they don’t know us very well, but then we realised that they probably need a team of muppets like us to provide all the cringe-worthy moments.

 

Also, our trademark bonking couple in the upstairs room of a metcalfe townhouse might not go down too well...

[Huw Griffiths]

There seems to be some people on here who are not wanting to take part but happy to put up barriers which may or may not exist.

 

I suppose it is RMweb's best feature all the negative talk but for a change let us be positive.

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/131194-another-challenge/?p=3045256

 

About 18 months back, when Love Productions were phoning people who'd expressed initial interest in what became "Biggest Little Railway", suggestions that they might directly engage with this site were met with fears about "negativity".

 

In fairness though, the vast majority of people here (certainly the members I've met) seem a lot more positive / constructive than this (even if some people might not always be particularly "active" as modelmakers).

 

Clearly, there's no requirement for anyone here to spend every waking minute building models (or working out how to) - and there's no requirement for anybody to put themselves forward for enterprises like this. Also, there are genuine reasons why some people might not be building stuff / posting about it here - other commitments - or just our "old friend", Nagging Doubt.

 

Would various people's models and modelling skills meet the grade - would mine? In my case, I'm not convinced - but (in the long run) I wouldn't mind finding out (I know that family commitments are keeping me rather busy right now).

 

I am, however, reminded of a couple of comments I heard about 25 years back:

• "Some people spend their whole lives in the darkroom of doubt, developing their negatives."
• "When was the last time you did something for the first time?"

It doesn't matter where I heard these comments (I can assure you that they originally had nothing to do with modelmaking) - but they strike me as relevant here.

 

As for this "new" challenge, I'd be interested in hearing more about it - and I suspect that, if they were to try and actively engage with show visitors, its producers etc would be made every bit as welcome as another group were last year.

 

When it comes to teams taking part, I actually wonder how many teams would be taking part from existing model railway clubs - and what the composition of these teams might be. In all honesty, I suspect that Clive's excellent idea of what amounts to a "virtual" team might well turn out to be the way to go.

 

If nothing else, I wonder if looking for entries from individual clubs might exclude a number of very credible potential entries from people who don't have the opportunity to join a local club (perhaps because there isn't one, either in their town or anywhere they can get to and from using public transport).

 

To be honest, I wonder how many modelmakers are actually members of clubs - and how many find themselves with no choice but to be "lone wolves".

 

However, I'm not convinced that these points - or any of the other potential concerns raised in this thread - actually need to be problems here.

 

 

If the production company want to make something of this concept, I'd hope that they choose to actively engage with as many modelmakers / hobbyists as possible - most likely via shows or forum sites like this one.

 

Doing this could offer a chance to effectively deal with any doubts, misconceptions etc that might currently exist. It would also offer a chance to satisfy people like us that they are just as serious as we are, in wishing to ensure that railway modellers (and railway modelling) finally get the good press we deserve.

 

After all, Kalmbach (publishers of Model Railroader) have been fully justified in marketing railway modelling as "The World's Greatest Hobby":  http://wgh.trains.com/.

 

Meanwhile, the NMRA website includes a section setting out a number of positive benefits and skills associated with the hobby: https://www.nmra.org/beginner/why-model.

 

 

I hope we're all able to pull together and use chances like this to ensure that a similar message is heard, loud and clear, in the UK - a strange concept, no doubt - possibly even a forlorn hope - but I can but hope ... .

 

 

Huw.

[Peter Crawford]

I guess, but when producers drop a firebomb into the show, they want tension, not modelling. I bet they'd kill to see someone wreck someone else's work...

[PMP]

I’d never considered the possibility of solvent abuse within the hobby.

[Clive Mortimore]

I have had a reply from the TV company.

 

 

We are in the early stages of the casting process so are currently speaking to experts, clubs and individuals as we are looking for 12 teams of 6. 

 

I will have more information about the project in a few weeks or so but as it stands we will be focusing on 00 Gauge. 

 

We are currently talking to experts about what can be pre planned/ built prior to the competition as we know that the railways take a while longer than we are able to film! We will be supplying base boards, scratch build materials and through partnerships with manufacturers we are hoping to provide track and additional supplies. However, at this stage I am afraid I can not be any more specific than that. 

 

We will be filming in Spring 2018 in the South (Location tbc). 

As it stands it will be around 9 days of filming over a few weeks, however, this may change. 

Travel and accommodation will be provided. 

 

A few people have shown interest in joining a team. If anyone wants to join please send me a PM.

 

I think it will be a great experience both from the TV side and  a group modelling against time as well as others.

[rue_d_etropal]

Modelling against the clock, is not the problem. Getting a group of people to agree what they plan to do is more dfficult, even when they know each other as members of a club.

If a group of peope could be put together, not from one club, then it might work, but I would want to know what was being supplied beforehand, and hether it wa possible to plan ahead, and also provide some items ourselves.

It would also be good if someone from the production company could join this forum, so they can talk directly to us as a group. Love Productions learned a lot when they actually talked to 16mm Garden Railway Society, and switched from standard gauge to narrow gauge.Unfortunately they had committed to 32mm gauge as opposed to 45mm gauge, which would have worked better in the terrain it had to run in.

[The Blue Streak]

 

I have had a reply from the TV company.

 

 

A few people have shown interest in joining a team. If anyone wants to join please send me a PM.

 

I think it will be a great experience both from the TV side and  a group modelling against time as well as others.

 

 

Oh, you're serious about it then, Clive ?

[PatB]

If I still lived in the UK (or was affluent enough to travel for the relevant period) I'd be up for it .

[Jenny Emily]

If I still lived in the UK (or was affluent enough to travel for the relevant period) I'd be up for it .

 

Don't ask, don't get: they will pay for travel and accommodation for during the filming for anyone they decide to have take part. I believe that Biggest Little Railway organised for one individual to travel from Iceland to be on the filming for that, so if you don't ask you won't know if they would. 

 

I know of a large number of people who are getting involved with this Channel 5 series. It promises to be something interesting if development is thorough. Expect to see a rather large number of faces recognisable from having built a garden railway across Scotland last year. 

[The Blue Streak]

If I still lived in the UK (or was affluent enough to travel for the relevant period) I'd be up for it .

 

 

Don't ask, don't get: they will pay for travel and accommodation for during the filming for anyone they decide to have take part. I believe that Biggest Little Railway organised for one individual to travel from Iceland to be on the filming for that, so if you don't ask you won't know if they would. 

 

I know of a large number of people who are getting involved with this Channel 5 series. It promises to be something interesting if development is thorough. Expect to see a rather large number of faces recognisable from having built a garden railway across Scotland last year. 

 

There you go Pat, give it a crack Mate, be the token "Aussie" and just maybe get a free trip. The shop in Toodyay will be okay for a couple of weeks Tell 'em Jenny sent you.

[Clive Mortimore]

Oh, you're serious about it then, Clive ?

Yeah, have been from the start.

 

Between RMweb and DEMU we have a team. I would be happy if anyone else wants to join us as reserves could well be needed.

[The Blue Streak]

Yeah, have been from the start.

 

Between RMweb and DEMU we have a team. I would be happy if anyone else wants to join us as reserves could well be needed.

 

I couldn't be sure until you wrote it in Red, you do joke around a bit. Good luck to you. Being Ex REME should hold you in good stead.

 

"Arte et Marte" as they say.

[Jenny Emily]

There you go Pat, give it a crack Mate, be the token "Aussie" and just maybe get a free trip. The shop in Toodyay will be okay for a couple of weeks Tell 'em Jenny sent you.

 

The trick with all television is to offer up an angle that provides viewer interest and that they won't get from elsewhere. An Aussie team would bring a differing outlook on modelling. Maybe throw in a few comedy situations like a signature Mad Max or Crocodile Dundee cameo and a uniquely laid back Aussie outlook to life and you have something that to the producers sets you apart as characters that they would want in their programme. Then hey presto! A short trip to the UK that somebody else is paying the travel and accommodation for. 

[rue_d_etropal]

It does sound like there has been a lot of interest. I've probably missed the boat, but if they want specialised items designed and done 3D printed I am more than willing to help.

Like the idea of some international teams. I wonder if they underestimated the potential for this program. Maybe it could leed to something bigger, with regional heats and then a final with the best from each region.

[Satan's Goldfish]

 

There you go Pat, give it a crack Mate, be the token "Aussie" and just maybe get a free trip. The shop in Toodyay will be okay for a couple of weeks Tell 'em Jenny sent you.

 

 

 

Small world, I have a Cousin + Family that live in Toodyay, enjoy spending a few days helping out there when I get a chance to visit. Which shop?

[Dagworth]

It does sound like there has been a lot of interest. I've probably missed the boat, but if they want specialised items designed and done 3D printed I am more than willing to help.

Like the idea of some international teams. I wonder if they underestimated the potential for this program. Maybe it could leed to something bigger, with regional heats and then a final with the best from each region.

I don't think you've missed the boat yet, applications are still open. Email the TV company.

 

Andi

[PatB]

   

 

 

Small world, I have a Cousin + Family that live in Toodyay, enjoy spending a few days helping out there when I get a chance to visit. Which shop?

 

Uniquely Toodyay, which occupies the old Post Office and which still sufficiently resembles a Post Office that at least one person a day comes in looking for stamps or something . I'm only in there one day a fortnight though, 'cos some of our stuff is in there amongst the various other local produce.

[Satan's Goldfish]

I know the place. Nicest bottle of chilli-sauce I've ever had came from there!

[Huw Griffiths]

It does sound like there has been a lot of interest. I've probably missed the boat, but if they want specialised items designed and done 3D printed I am more than willing to help.

Like the idea of some international teams. I wonder if they underestimated the potential for this program. Maybe it could leed to something bigger, with regional heats and then a final with the best from each region.

 

I don't think you've missed the boat yet, applications are still open. Email the TV company.

 

Are all potential teams fully susbscribed? I'm not sure that they are.

 

 

I also suspect there might be a further angle to this.

 

Even when teams look like they might have been "filled" / fully subscribed, what happens if some of the people in these teams are forced to drop out prior to filming?

 

This might sound crazy - but I'm not sure that it is. Let's face it, a number of the people who've put their names forward might turn out to have young children, or elderly relatives, who might not always be in the best of health - and they might be responsible for their care.

 

(Without naming names, I already know of one person who's in this sort of position - the person concerned is very likely to be available for filming, but wouldn't be able to guarantee it a few months in advance.)

 

Although a number of people like these would probably be available for filming, I'm not sure they'd be able to guarantee this.

 

Would anybody want a whole team to be forced out because one of their members might have caring responsibilities? I, certainly, would not.

 

 

Meanwhile, there could be other reasons for people needing to drop out - people starting new jobs (or, in some cases, even new relationships) - stuff like that.

 

 

Although I'd hope that each team would have one or more "reserves" they'd hopefully be able to call on prior to filming, I wonder if it might be an idea for the production company to also have a small number of "floating reserves" - people who'd be willing to step in and help out any team in this sort of distress.

 

 

I don't know what anyone else might think about this random thought idea - some people might like it - some people might not - but I could potentially see some call for something like this.

 

 

Anyway, what I'm pleased to see is that the tone of this thread seems to have turned more positive again - instead of an irritating cacophony of negativity, we're again starting to hear from people who want to make this challenge happen - people who want to make it work. These are the sort of people I like to hear from - the sort of people I'd like to continue to hear from.

 

 

Huw.

[Jeff Smith]

Having established how many people actually turn up to start the filming the production company could blindside everyone and form new teams at random.....this could initiate the required drama and angst.....

[kathymillatt]

I had an exciting afternoon - I went to visit the TV production company making this programme.

 

They’re really keen to make this work and show what can be achieved with a model railway. They’re thinking how best to make it work for TV and the teams who are taking part. We had a great time bouncing round ideas and debating what can be achieved in the timescales.

 

If you are interested then I encourage you to get in touch with them. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

 

Kathy

[rue_d_etropal]

I have emailed the production company, nothing back when I checked this morning.

[Huw Griffiths]

Having established how many people actually turn up to start the filming the production company could blindside everyone and form new teams at random.....this could initiate the required drama and angst.....

 

Somehow, I think not. Unless it were made clear at the outset that something like this were being considered, I'm not convinced that it would exactly be best practice.

 

Actually, if something like this were even being considered, I suspect that participants' reactions might depend on what stage in proceedings they got to hear about it.

 

If they found out before they'd bonded with their teams - started to work out what they intended to do - and particularly before they started to do anything, I suspect that some people might not be too worried.

 

However, if they'd already started working together as a team - and already done some work on their entry, I suspect that a number of people might be tempted to head for the exit door (I would). After all, they would have registered and entered as a team - and they'd reasonably expect to stick together.

 

Quite apart from the teamwork aspect to this - and not wanting to be involved in shafting their friends - a lot of people take a pride in what they do. As Dick Strawbridge pointed out on "Biggest Little Railway", it's not exactly unknown for railway modellers to be quiet perfectionists - "just good enough" isn't always good enough - and I suspect this might be one thing a production company might like to pick up on.

 

If I enter a challenge like this, then I would also want to ensure that my whole team (including me) have a realistic chance of building something that won't get "laughed out". I'd want my team's efforts - including mine - to work well and look respectable.

 

Unless it were made clear that showing the planning process were an integral part of the programmes, I think it would be reasonable for teams to want to do some planning and "sorting out" in advance - with no danger of team members and ideas being pulled away from them. Let's face it, even though some modelmakers might sometimes be unable to find local clubs to join (and are therefore forced to work as "lone wolves"), a lot of us are still team players at heart. This is one reason why a number of people have already expressed an interest in taking part - as part of a team.

 

Somehow, I suspect that the production company would already have thought about this - and wouldn't even contemplate any crazy "stunts". Let's face it, I reckon they want this to work just as much as we do ... .

 

 

No - what I was suggesting in my previous post was that it might not be a bad idea for a production company to be able to call on a small number of people to fill gaps within existing teams.

 

Of course, it's always possible that some people might be interested in being thrown together - as a "scratch" team - at the last moment - and calling themselves something along the lines of "Barbarian MRC". Well, a number of things are possible - in theory - but this doesn't necessarily mean that they're about to happen any time soon.

 

In practice, I'd imagine that the vast majority of participants would wish to have a good idea of whom they'd be working with - and some chance of planning what they intend to do, even if they only get chance to contact each other beforehand via PMs or emails.

 

 

Anyway, I don't know what to expect from this series - apart from some layouts getting built by people who get to know each other a lot better than before - and almost certainly some very watchable TV.

 

I'm certainly not expecting "Big Bother" style nonsense - I don't think anyone taking part wants it - and I don't think the production company wants it.

 

My gut feeling is that any "eliminated" builds will probably still get completed to a high standard at the end - quite possibly by the teams who started these builds. I also suspect that they're likely to end up doing the rounds of model railway shows - and might even feature in some spinoff programme about what was involved in building them (quite possibly also exhibiting them) and putting the series together.

 

 

Perhaps some exhibition managers might be looking for achievable (but probably quite decent, if perhaps quirky) layouts that would fit in a van - they'd be available here.

 

Perhaps some people might be looking for a chance to make some new friends - showcase their layout building skills or, in some cases, acquire hone these skills - possibly even use this as a way to find out what life's really like "the other side of the barriers" at shows - this might also be on offer.

 

Perhaps some manufacturers - or magazine publishers - might be looking for a chance to showcase their products and show that "The World's Greatest Hobby" is for a wide variety of people - this sounds like an excellent chance. It also sounds like an amazing chance for people like us to silence the self-styled "comedians" who set out to mock and derail our excellent hobby.

 

Then what about the TV channel and especially the production company - there could be something in it for them, too.

 

 

I don't pretend to be an expert here - but this challenge is starting to sound like it could be a good news story - and a great deal for a lot of people.

 

Let's bring it on.

 

 

Huw.

[rue_d_etropal]

 

quiet perfectionists

I am not always quiet, and I certainly am not a perfectionist. I do know what works, and would object if I found something I knew would not work, or at least there was a chance it would not work.

KISS probably sums my approach pretty well. I do experiment, and not all my experiments are successful, but you learn more when something goes wrong, than when it works perfectly first time.

[Clive Mortimore]

Hi Huw

 

From the information given by the TV company, they will be supplying the baseboards, track etc so I don't think there is room for too much pre-planning. Part of the process is going to be how we achieve to build a layout within the competition's framework with the goods we are given. So watching us discuss what , how, why, where and when, is all part of the TV show.  It will stop the club that has spent 20 years building their GWR BLT tuning up with a near finished effort  and making out they built it in 9 days. With our team I envisage the most pre-planning we can do is allocate a team member to be the lead on, track planning, electrics, scenery, etc so we all have a specialist role with the others acting as support when we undertake that aspect of the layout build.

 

I am not a perfectionist, and in a challenge like this the best effort in the time frame is the best we can hope for. A strong team member who can say "That is good enough" is needed.