Channel 4 model railway challenge

[Hobby]

I am sure if you watch carefully, the only time Silver Lady differs in condition is during those shots that show it close up running along a random piece of track. These are the fill in sections to allow the narrator to move the story on, update progress or explain the next major hurdle. In many ways it is like a random shot of a crowd during a football highlights package. The actual story is in chronological in order.

 

Which is what i was saying, Andy, the series is in chronological order, it just that the team in the cutting room (or whatever its now called) chose to ignore it and used clips of Sliver Lady randomly!

[Junctionmad]

The air of unreality increased as I watched the aerial view of the loco crossing the canal on the bridge , the track behind the loco was all gone , or else it was a staged effect

 

Personally I think the " conceit " is getting a little obvious and tiresome

[rue_d_etropal]

Just remember the  program is for the general public, not just the rivet counters. If the program helps to dispell the commonly held view that model railways are only for anoraks, then it is doing a lot of good for the hobby. The program is entertaining, and should not be taken too seriously.

[andyram]

The air of unreality increased as I watched the aerial view of the loco crossing the canal on the bridge , the track behind the loco was all gone , or else it was a staged effect

Personally I think the " conceit " is getting a little obvious and tiresome

I have just watched episode 3 again as my daughter loves watching it. In the aerial view you refer to the track is present at both ends of the bridge. I know that because I looked especially following your post. If you are going to throw criticisms at something I suggest you check your facts or visit Specsavers.

[PaulCheffus]

If the program helps to dispell the commonly held view that model railways are only for anoraks, then it is doing a lot of good for the hobby.

Hi

 

Unfortunately according to my wife it is reinforcing the stereotype.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[locoholic]

I watched for five minutes. That was how long it took before I could stand it no longer!

[andyram]

Hi

 

Unfortunately according to my wife it is reinforcing the stereotype.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

Well...it does rain a lot in Scotland

[Hroth]

I have just watched episode 3 again as my daughter loves watching it. In the aerial view you refer to the track is present at both ends of the bridge. I know that because I looked especially following your post. If you are going to throw criticisms at something I suggest you check your facts or visit Specsavers.

I wouldn't be in such a hurry to suggest Specsavers if I were you...

 

[Phil Parker]

 

Dibber, the only reason i questioned the accuracy of the "2nd most popular" quote is simply that since the internet we are surrounded by false information every day with people saying "this is what happened", etc. without any proof, so was trying to clarify where they got that information from... It seems, then, that we don't actually know... Unless someone on the Production Team sees this and can clarify... Perhaps best left at that...

 

I have actually asked the producer and am awaiting a reply. If/when I get one, I'll let you know. Personally, I am very happy for the world to believe it.

[Phil Parker]

Hi

 

Unfortunately according to my wife it is reinforcing the stereotype.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

 

Really? The selection of people is far younger, and with a much more balanced mix of sexes than you'll find at most model railway shows. As we get to know some of them, they are providing a chance to show that there are some interesting personalities involved. The engineering skills required meant that the pool of volunteers was chosen from a far wider group than just modellers too, as episode 3 showed.

 

I suspect what your wife is saying is, "I don't like model railways and have no intention of watching a programme on telly about anything railway based, especially when all that orange hurts my eyes.".

[Huw Griffiths]

If the program helps to dispell the commonly held view that model railways are only for anoraks, then it is doing a lot of good for the hobby.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

Last Saturday, in Cardiff, there was conclusive proof that model railways are not just for anoraks.

 

At least one of the visitors to a model railway show was wearing a wax jacket.

Edited January 23, 2018 by Huw Griffiths

[Junctionmad]

I have just watched episode 3 again as my daughter loves watching it. In the aerial view you refer to the track is present at both ends of the bridge. I know that because I looked especially following your post. If you are going to throw criticisms at something I suggest you check your facts or visit Specsavers.

Instead of being an ass , perhaps you can fast forward to 45:15. The aerial view shows clearly the output track is not joined up even as the train crosses the bridge and it's noticeable that the shot ends wtb the loco crossing the bridge. ( cause there isn't a proper exit track )

 

Thanks for you expert view

Edited January 24, 2018 by Junctionmad

[Junctionmad]

Hi

 

Unfortunately according to my wife it is reinforcing the stereotype.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

I'd agree , I'd wouldn't be fun if there were no anorak types. Tv doesn't do normal

[PhilJ W]

I couldn't agree more.

 

Last Saturday, in Cardiff, there was conclusive proof that model railways are not just for anoraks.

 

At least one of the visitors to a model railway show was wearing a wax jacket.

It could be worse, a shell suit perhaps?

[newbryford]

Why can't people take this show for what it is?

 

It's not aimed at the rivet counters (apologies for the generalisation/stereotype). It's for the general population - the majority of which aren't model railway enthusiasts.

 

I had a discussion about the programme at the MR club tonight. Whilst one member doesn't particularly take to it, his totally non-enthusiast wife does.

If you want to watch specialist model railway TV/video footage, then youtube is your friend.

 

I do watch the BLR with Mrs NB and whilst I pick out the technical and edit faults, she gently chuckles at me and gets on with enjoying the show for what it is.

Sunday evening light entertainment.

 

Cheers

Mick

[Griffin Road]

Mrs GR does the same as Mrs NB Mick .

 

As usual you never REALLY know whether they are just humouring you or not !

 

Mike b

[uax6]

I see it was only me that noticed that they didn't get the steepest gradient worked adhesively right, its not the Lickey, but Hopton of the Cromford and high peak.... unless they were trying to imply still in use.

 

Also I'm finding the metric-ness of all the dimensions (except the total distances is in miles) and gradients completely confusing ( and I was brought up metric!), why are the inclines not in imperial 1in... ?

 

Andy G

Edited January 24, 2018 by uax6

[Hobby]

Really? The selection of people is far younger, and with a much more balanced mix of sexes than you'll find at most model railway shows.

 

It could be because several of the younger ones aren't railway modellers... I get the impression that it must have been plugged by Network Rail as several seem tio have come from them (or connected companies) and are there for the experience rather than the modelling... Good idea as if it gets young people into engineering...

 

I do watch the BLR with Mrs NB and whilst I pick out the technical and edit faults, she gently chuckles at me and gets on with enjoying the show for what it is.

Sunday evening light entertainment.

 

Mine does that as well!

Edited January 24, 2018 by Hobby

[newbryford]

It could be because several of the younger ones aren't railway modellers... I get the impression that it must have been plugged by Network Rail as several seem tio have come from them (or connected companies) and are there for the experience rather than the modelling... Good idea as if it gets young people into engineering...

 

 

Mine does that as well!

 

Probably cheaper to send them on the BLR than pay for a "team-building" week..................

 

Cheers,

Mick

[298]

Roundhouse Bulldog Little John, Accucraft W&L wagons.

In the same way that Track Shack have commissioned private owner liveried wagons from Accucraft, would a BLR edition be popular? Its obviously too late to feature one in the series, but there's always the next one....

Edited January 24, 2018 by 298

[Reorte]

Why can't people take this show for what it is?

 

It's not aimed at the rivet counters (apologies for the generalisation/stereotype). It's for the general population - the majority of which aren't model railway enthusiasts.

It's got very little at all to do with model railways really, so just needs to be taken for what it is. It's not a program about building a model railway. It's about building something along the Great Glen, in a pretty non-serious way. Just light entertainment, and for that it's an entertaining hour on a Sunday evening. Time Team's been mentioned, that was the same. As was another mention, Scrapheap Challenge. All enjoyable for what they were. It's good to have a good mix of serious and light, and whilst the serious might be lacking that doesn't mean a bit of good light is any less fun.

[andyram]

Instead of being an ass , perhaps you can fast forward to 45:15. The aerial view shows clearly the output track is not joined up even as the train crosses the bridge and it's noticeable that the shot ends wtb the loco crossing the bridge. ( cause there isn't a proper exit track )

Thanks for you expert view

I have watched and rewatched this section. The track is clearly joined at BOTH ends of the bridge in the aerial shot you refer to. It is true that further up the path (where it bends) the exit track is not joined. However as the footage runs on, after the train has left the bridge and is beginning to travel along the path, a High Vis clad team can be seen in the background manoeuvring the missing track into place.

 

I hope that helps.

 

A word of warning - your last two posts have included words that could be considered offensive. I would choose your words very carefully in future. We do not want this thread shutting down.

[Guest]

Instead of being an ass , perhaps you can fast forward to 45:15. The aerial view shows clearly the output track is not joined up even as the train crosses the bridge and it's noticeable that the shot ends wtb the loco crossing the bridge. ( cause there isn't a proper exit track )

 

Thanks for you expert view

 

I have watched and rewatched this section. The track is clearly joined at BOTH ends of the bridge in the aerial shot you refer to. It is true that further up the path (where it bends) the exit track is not joined. However as the footage runs on, after the train has left the bridge and is beginning to travel along the path, a High Vis clad team can be seen in the background manoeuvring the missing track into place.

 

I hope that helps.

 

A word of warning - your last two posts have included words that could be considered offensive. I would choose your words very carefully in future. We do not want this thread shutting down.

 

In all fairness Andy, your original comment (below) wasn't very polite either, was it?

"If you are going to throw criticisms at something I suggest you check your facts or visit Specsavers".

 

Some folk on this thread are getting way too caught up in what is entertaining, but ultimately just "throwaway" TV. Lighten up.

Edited January 24, 2018 by Pete 75C

[Torper]

Instead of being an ass , perhaps you can fast forward to 45:15. The aerial view shows clearly the output track is not joined up even as the train crosses the bridge and it's noticeable that the shot ends wtb the loco crossing the bridge. ( cause there isn't a proper exit track )

I agree with Andyram.  I saw track leading both onto the bridge and off it  Admittedly the outgoing track wasn't very long - it came away from the bridge for a metre or so, then turned sharp right, and went up the hill and then ended but the lady engineer (Clare?) had just stated that the tracklayers had only just arrived on the outgoing side.  I also saw that further track was in existence on that side of the bridge - on the aerial view you'll see it on the extreme left of the picture, running straight down the towpath.  The exit track merely needed to be connected to that track (a rather awkward 180 degree turn) to enable to loco to continue and as the loco was proceeding up the hill after crossing the bridge it was clear that people were working on the track ahead of it, presumably creating the connection.  And in your initial post you said that there was no track behind the loco - I certainly saw some although, having said that, I'm not at all sure where it came from.

 

But of course everything is edited.  I'm sure that the loco (with which I have become besotted) made more than one crossing of the bridge to ensure that the best shot possible was taken of it.  Personally I'm happy to make allowances for editing and enjoy the programme for what it is, ie family entertainment with a bit of model railway thrown in. 

 

DT

Edited January 24, 2018 by Torper

[andyram]

In all fairness Andy, your original comment (below) wasn't very polite either, was it?

"If you are going to throw criticisms at something I suggest you check your facts or visit Specsavers".

 

Some folk on this thread are getting way too caught up in what is entertaining, but ultimately just "throwaway" TV. Lighten up.

Fair point Pete. However I did not use any offensive words (ass) or accuse people of conceit. I was simply suggesting that this particular person “checked their facts” which were clearly incorrect. The “visit Specsavers” comment was meant in a lighthearted way. Around here the phrase “should have gone to Specsavers” is often used when someone does not see something obvious. However I will apologise if anyone found either of those comments offensive. They were not intended in that way.