RMweb Premium 70000 Britannia Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2018 Callum’s team was miles ahead of the competition, pure and simple. It’s a good thing that Bob Syms is no longer with us, he must be spinning in his grave. Lightweight presentation and ignorance should not be the format, if we the modelling public are to be taken a little more seriously, and not seen as “little boys that haven’t grown up. It seems to me, at least that real ignorance is championed, rather than educating and informing in today media rich (sic) world. As for the other competitors, too many gimmicks, school bit errors and an overall lack of imagination, a bit like the shows format. The idea that , it must be good it’s on tv at least, should rather be, nice try, but, needs much improvement. Slapdash production, must not be footnoted as quality! That my opinion anyway. We, as they used to say, will have to agree to disagree. Certainly, the winners deserved it. Unfortunately, we do have to agree to disagree. As for your other comments, perhaps RMWeb should provide a little emoji button for recognising a touch of mean-spiritedness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 It’s a good thing that Bob Syms is no longer with us, he must be spinning in his grave. Lightweight presentation and ignorance should not be the format, if we the modelling public are to be taken a little more seriously, and not seen as “little boys that haven’t grown up. It seems to me, at least that real ignorance is championed, rather than educating and informing in today media rich (sic) world. As for the other competitors, too many gimmicks, school bit errors and an overall lack of imagination, a bit like the shows format. The idea that , it must be good it’s on tv at least, should rather be, nice try, but, needs much improvement. Slapdash production, must not be footnoted as quality! That my opinion anyway. We, as they used to say, will have to agree to disagree. I think you need to look at the viewers the programme is aimed at, which aren't us. The only way to get decent viewing figures is to appeal to a wide audience, for whome the "bake off" style works. If you want a serious programme on model railways then forget looking at mainstream TV. As for Bob S, whilst he would no doubt bemoan the declining standards, like us, he would also be realistic enough to accept that the world has moved on for better or worse. If they went for a lot more "show you how" bits that would turn off many non model railway viewers which are the bread and butter for this sort of programme. having said that there were small sections where things were explained, though not in much detail. At least it was better than the first, as in more serious, though it was clear that the first episode was show as a "hook" to get people viewing (and it worked!)... If you want to see serious modelling I'd suggest you go to YouTube rather than watch a mainstream channel showing a light hearted competition style programme, Stanier16! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Is the female judge as serious/ harsh as she comes across on the program? Mark I think a bit of it was put on for the camera, she really is a lovely person to meet, much like Steve. Both always asking about what we were doing, and how we were all getting on off camera. Both said they had learnt a lot of new skills and ideas from the contestants on the show too! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted October 13, 2018 Author Share Posted October 13, 2018 I'd say there was an awful lot to commend Callum's team and the Ninjas for last night. There was a lot of forethought, planning and modelling carried out by both teams in the preparation stage before filming making use of the '6 items' to good effect and everyone from both teams came across really well on camera I thought. Respect to the Ninjas for the tower block and the 3rd/4th rail ambitions indicating good modelling credentials. A fair result in my opinion given just how much Callum's team packed in to 'the reveal'. I'm still waiting to see full-on grumpy Steve as that would be great. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
47164 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Love or hate it , full marks to channel 5 for promoting our hobby in a constructive manner , it's taken a very long time for someone to dip a toe in the water, and good to see some techniques being discussed.... even with the odd own goals !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Coryton Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2018 I think you need to look at the viewers the programme is aimed at, which aren't us. The only way to get decent viewing figures is to appeal to a wide audience, for whome the "bake off" style works. If you want a serious programme on model railways then forget looking at mainstream TV. As for Bob S, whilst he would no doubt bemoan the declining standards, like us, he would also be realistic enough to accept that the world has moved on for better or worse. If they went for a lot more "show you how" bits that would turn off many non model railway viewers which are the bread and butter for this sort of programme. having said that there were small sections where things were explained, though not in much detail. At least it was better than the first, as in more serious, though it was clear that the first episode was show as a "hook" to get people viewing (and it worked!)... I think they've managed to make a programme which appeals to the non-modeller while also being enjoyable to many of those in the hobby, which probably isn't that easy. I think it's great that there's something aimed at the mainstream audience which presents the hobby in a positive light, and I'd much rather that than a specialist programme, even if it was feasible to spend the money on something with such a narrow audience. (The upside is that if they did, the audience would probably be so small that model railway companies might even be able to afford adverts during it). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEAMYAKIMA Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 (edited) I think it's great that there's something aimed at the mainstream audience which presents the hobby in a positive light, and I'd much rather that than a specialist programme, even if it was feasible to spend the money on something with such a narrow audience. (The upside is that if they did, the audience would probably be so small that model railway companies might even be able to afford adverts during it). About 15 years ago there was an internet channel 'The Railway Channel' produced for the serious enthusiast and run by TV professional Mark Found. It was a subscription service. It featured visits to exhibitions etc and clubs including my club Twickenham & District MRC. It was a serious channel for enthusiasts. Edited October 13, 2018 by TEAMYAKIMA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I thought the second program was not up to the standard of the first (which I enjoyed) For me the subject choices were not as good as the first program, which may have been down to the brief given to them, I thought the execution of the brief given was not to the standard of last weeks models. Might be worth watching both programs again, However choosing popular subject matter for the challenge may be down to making it interesting to the general public rather than what interests an enthusiast. You would have expected with simple track plans they should be working faultlessly after 3 days. The brief is a model railway that is supposed to work On the plus side the scratch building challenges do work very well 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 13, 2018 (edited) About 15 years ago there was an internet channel 'The Railway Channel' produced for the serious enthusiast and run by TV professional Mark Found. It was a subscription service. It featured visits to exhibitions etc and clubs including my club Twickenham & District MRC. It was a serious channel for enthusiasts. On YouTube - see https://www.youtube.com/user/railwaychannel Edited October 13, 2018 by john new Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ba14eagle Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2018 I too found last nights episode very entertaining and an improvement on week 1. On the night I thought the best team won - it was a superb layout! However, I am now rather disappointed with the winning layout, after watching this video posted on YT, by SDJR7F88. Seeing the layout in the back of the van, with what looks like most of the tracklaying done, screams a bit "Missenden" to me - especially as the almost perfect running of the layout was one thing the judges commented on when making their assessments on the layouts. I know its all a bit of fun and a fair proportion of Joe Public wont see this video, but still feels a bit wrong. Track Laying Ninjas - all is forgiven, you win the race for me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 13, 2018 Seeing the layout in the back of the van, with what looks like most of the tracklaying done, screams a bit "Missenden" to me - especially as the almost perfect running of the layout was one thing the judges commented on when making their assessments on the layouts. I know its all a bit of fun and a fair proportion of Joe Public wont see this video, but still feels a bit wrong. Track Laying Ninjas - all is forgiven, you win the race for me! If you read back in the thread they were all allowed to lay track on 2 of the three boards before filming Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Coryton Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2018 On the plus side the scratch building challenges do work very well Yes. I thought it was a bit daft at first, taking them away from their planned build to incorporate something random. But in the end it very nicely brought out the way in which everyday objects can be used as (often very cheap) modelling materials. Maybe it will inspire a few people to wander round their local pound shop looking at what's on offer in a new light? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ba14eagle Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2018 strange that the other teams seemed to let this pass them by then, because it seems to have give one team a massive advantage Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2018 Callum’s team was miles ahead of the competition, pure and simple. It’s a good thing that Bob Syms is no longer with us, he must be spinning in his grave. Lightweight presentation and ignorance should not be the format, if we the modelling public are to be taken a little more seriously, and not seen as “little boys that haven’t grown up. It seems to me, at least that real ignorance is championed, rather than educating and informing in today media rich (sic) world. As for the other competitors, too many gimmicks, school bit errors and an overall lack of imagination, a bit like the shows format. The idea that , it must be good it’s on tv at least, should rather be, nice try, but, needs much improvement. Slapdash production, must not be footnoted as quality! That my opinion anyway. We, as they used to say, will have to agree to disagree. Theres a fine line to be tread here though. It has to be lightweight to appeal to the general public , but at the sametime be sufficiently serious for the Modeller, who are probably in the minority of people watching. So I get what you are saying, as a Modeller this is not a DVD I would go out and buy because it’s too lightweight and frivolous . But that’s what the gen public want, entertainment. If we went down the serious route and explained the tender is not accurate because it hadn’t got the right number of rivets or the workings of conjugated valve gear , then you would lose the general public in their droves . Generally I think the program makers have got it right for the general public . I do find the bake-off format not really suitable for Model Railways , but they had to come up with some format. I thought the presenters were ok last night with some clever puns . The loudspeaker announcements are cringing . There were some interesting snippets , like showing the static grass. As someone else said it’s harmless entertainment. It has avoided all the usual cliches , so I think can only be good for the hobby . What the hobby now has to do is convert that interest into people coming into the hobby . I get the feeling that the media has been caught out a bit by this , unless at the end of the program there is announced that there’s a companion magazine . A mag showing some of the layouts built and features, along with more general articles eg track laying , static grass etc , adverts from Hornby and Hattons , maybe how to make a layout might assist in converting interest to people actually coming into the hobby . There are significant barriers to entry . Space, the need to construct baseboards, wiring and the cost of models could all put people off . A magazine guiding people through these would be useful. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2018 Oh forgot to add congratulations to Callum and Team . Are you all YouTubers? I thought deserving winner , not least because of the track plan which is the most interesting so far . The 009 layout changing levels and curling round itself , very good. I didn’t quite get the high level track circuit with 2 Southern commuter trains on the layout featuring Dr Who , but I’m not really a Dr Who fan so it may be a reference to a particular episode . Loved the flats in Walford. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 strange that the other teams seemed to let this pass them by then, because it seems to have give one team a massive advantage We were told to lay track on 2 of the board, before the show. Hence we were all delivered the baseboard before filming to our homes. There was due to be a whole section, decapitated to the pre-build, where the camera crews turned up at our homes (they film over 10 hours of footage at ours), The camera crew knew track laying would be a very time-consuming process, gave everyone the option to do so. I'll see if I can post a link to the rule book to clear things up. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Fleece 30 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 (edited) I am getting a little fed up of reading similar posts where a poster has not read or understand what all this is about. We have been told what can be done before filming starts, we have been told what the budget is etc so why keep commenting if you cannot be bothered to read back? Regarding the show itself, this is similar 1) it was never meant to be for serious modellers so why complain about the lack of certain items/info. 2) it was for fun and reality TV and it is certainly that. If you want to stay serious use the OFF button and carry on with your own models. 3) it gives the "serious" modellers participating the chance to show their creative flair while still being fun and entertaining. 4) why keep asking about more time for this and more time for that, reading back, filming was continuously for 3 days on 3 layouts constantly and cannot all be put into 45 minutes. Just let the producers get on with what they are paid to do, or, do some programmes yourself. 5) if you want serious modelling watch YouTube clips, go to a local club, buy a magazine, or carry on with your own layout. None of the layouts last week or this are my cup of tea but I have enjoyed watching them for what they are and will watch all the rest. No doubt in a few posts time the same issues will crop up again though. Garry Edited October 13, 2018 by Golden Fleece 30 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 strange that the other teams seemed to let this pass them by then, because it seems to have give one team a massive advantage Presumably on the basis that it would not take too long to lay a simple oval or two - maybe a misjudgement - bear in mind the first shown program was the last made maybe the use of Setrack became more prevalent as the series went on. Getting the basics wrong track wise on Walford was an obvious own goal. What seemed odd was people messing around with wiring close to the end of time and surely a simple oval would only need a limited number of wires. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Don't think we were the only ones to have pre-layed track in our heat. Due to the cut down off footage, it does not show how all our teams boards arrived before footage used. I hoped the video I created of our teams time on set, would show in a bit more detail how the show was made and what we all had to do. I've attached a link to the full rule box for those who would like to know the in's and out's of what we could and couldn't do. It's a bit of a long read THE RULEBOOK - GMRC.docx.pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GH Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Really enjoyed last night's episode. As already been stated much better than the previous one. Nice to see most of the animations worked One moment I really loved was the time when Tim (the presenter) tried to interrupt one of the sci fi team by asking if he wanted any help and he was sent packing with a scowl and the reply "Go and ask Gavin" ChrisGH 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 13, 2018 One moment I really loved was the time when Tim (the presenter) tried to interrupt one of the sci fi team by asking if he wanted any help and he was sent packing with a scowl and the reply "Go and ask Gavin" If anything proves to us, the viewers, that the teams really are working under pressure, that is a good example! I have wondered what contestants in other shows, like Bakeoff or the Painting Challenge, feel when they have to give up time to speak on-camera. An essential part of the process, no doubt, but irritating if they are interrupted at a crucial time? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymsa Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 (edited) I noticed something rather odd in the behind the scenes video, it appears it is not a whole 3 days of building but actually 2 and a half days , did I hear this right. As judges voting was at midday on day three. This makes it even more remarkable of what is being achieved in this timescale. Edited October 13, 2018 by Andymsa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDJR7F88 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I noticed something rather odd in the behind the scenes video, it appears it is not a whole 3 days of building but actually 2 and a half days , did I hear this right. As judges voting was at midday on day three. This makes it even more remarkable of what is being achieved in this timescale. Yes, judging was half way through day 3. We had 24 hours in total, 10 on Day 1, 10 on Day 2 and 4 hours before judging on day 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymsa Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Yes, judging was half way through day 3. We had 24 hours in total, 10 on Day 1, 10 on Day 2 and 4 hours before judging on day 3 I suppose it could be argued that is 3 days at an average of 8 hours, less lunch breaks. But to do 10 hours of solid modelling I take my hat off to you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
reevesthecat Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I think a bit of it was put on for the camera, she really is a lovely person to meet, much like Steve. Both always asking about what we were doing, and how we were all getting on off camera. Both said they had learnt a lot of new skills and ideas from the contestants on the show too! Thank you I know she has earned the right to be critical her modelling is fantastic just wondered what she was like to be around comes across distant and very harsh on the program. If she criticised my layout I would probably cry! Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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