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I’ve just purchased my last set of videos to complete my collection of Great Layout Adventures, 1-13.  I also have a set of TM videos and some individual layout videos like Choo Choo Barn, How to use DCS (OGRR) and Twin Cities model RR video.  I also enjoy those moments when I stumble upon a great You Tube video like a Mr. Muffins’ weekend layout run or small clips on this forum.

Here is what I get from these:

  1. Great entertainment.  Model railroads as entertainment or background video with guests can work well.
  2. Humble pie and aspiration. Seeing museum quality layouts like Tony Lash’s, Don Klose’s or Bill Bramlage’s makes me realize that I’ll never have the means or the skills to have a museum quality layout.  However, those layouts motivate me and make me aspire to build the best I can and remind me of my humble place in this world in a good way.
  3. Road entertainment. I travel often for a living and have brought these videos with me on the road.  When I’m stuck at a desk all evening, what better way to spend the time than watching my collection of O Gauge layouts and drawing up my next layout project?
  4. Sleeping pills. The one and only time I met Richard Melvin was at Train Fest several years ago.  When he spoke, it was like feeling the warmth of the summers of my youth–instantly familiar and comfortable. Yes, listening to Richard Melvin’s voice is not only familiar, but can put me to sleep at night – and that’s a good thing.  My favorite falling asleep video is The Choo Choo Barn.  The music combined with the childhood dreams of building that perfect layout and Richard’s smooth voice soothes the soul and makes me dream about my next project on my own layout.
  5. Ideas for my own layout. I’ve recently gotten into the habit of taking cell phone pictures of still clips from these videos.  Bridges, specific scenes, unique accessories, cars and buildings all contribute to the great ideas I get from these.
  6. Great stories. Listening to Leapin’ Larry’s story or Hot Water’s expertise or weathering techniques by several different layout builders drives me deeper into understanding what this hobby is all about.
  7. Therapy for my madness. When I watch all the great people that have layouts and their reasons for creating them, I feel like I’m not alone in my world of trains.  There are folks out there that think just like me with multitudes of shelves full train cars and engines.
  8. Reassurance. The thousands of dollars and the countless hours I spend on this hobby is shared not only by guys like me but elite champions like doctors and lawyers and entrepreneurs that have built great empires in our communities, creating jobs and making our economy roll while sharing the passion of this hobby.  I love when these folks talk about how making mountains or laying track is their great relaxation because it is mine as well.
  9. Time stands still. Even though these videos age, the content is timeless. The videos I watched 20 years ago are still relevant today, even though Protosound engines are now Protosound 3.  Marty Fitzhenry is still alive and shining, saluting “Stevie” from Ross Custom switches, one of our great heroes of this hobby.

What do you get when you watch O Gauge videos?

Mike

Last edited by IRON HORSE
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This is a nice thought provoking post Mike. YouTube videos work for me because of their expansiveness. Photographs are great and when they are in magazines there is usually a good narrative. But there may be something that gets your attention that you would like to see something additional. With video you are typically provided with a good overview which affords a conceptual understanding of the layout. With both mediums I always find some detail that I had not considered. The human eye goes to movement so the videos do the job.

@IRON HORSE posted:

Here is what I get from these:

…Sleeping pills. The one and only time I met Richard Melvin was at Train Fest several years ago.  When he spoke, it was like feeling the warmth of the summers of my youth–instantly familiar and comfortable. Yes, listening to Richard Melvin’s voice is not only familiar, but can put me to sleep at night – and that’s a good thing.  My favorite falling asleep video is The Choo Choo Barn.  The music combined with the childhood dreams of building that perfect layout and Richard’s smooth voice soothes the soul and makes me dream about my next project on my own layout…

Nice to know my video production work is a cure for insomnia.

Just kidding! I genuinely appreciate your compliment about my “announcer voice.” Producing that Choo Choo Barn video was one of the most enjoyable projects I ever did. I’m very pleased to know you enjoy all the OGR videos.

I watch youtube videos. I like hi rail layouts so I'll my comments are for them. I'm not knocking it but I am surprizes how many have sharp S turns. or  several switches one after another on the mainline. Seems to work alright.

I have open grid and I'm beginning to think I'll never finish it. Table top has to be a lot faster. There are some tabletop that look really nice.

And plaster work, mountains, waterways, bridges, tunnels some have none but look good.

I'm talking about the average home layout here not the famous ones.

I too, enjoy watching model train videos, even of scale layouts.  Sadly all of the three major producers are no longer offering new ones: TM, OGR and Great Model Railroads (all HO).  But like Mike said, they are professionally done (in contrast to my U Tube postings) and for model railroaders do tell great stories.

This is a nice thought provoking post Mike.  YouTube videos work for me because of their expansiveness.

Thank you, Jay, for this comment.  I've been thinking about writing this post for awhile and finally decided to put it out there because I am so grateful for the producers for providing me with so many hours of enjoyment.  (And, yes, Richard, fully awake time, too )

I, too, like You Tube videos and have posted a few of my own on my holiday layout.  Call me old school, but I still love the DVD format and I am reminded of what Steve Jobs once said about the market for IPods:  People want to own their music and videos.

I bought my first O Gauge video directly from Tom McComas at TM (not TMCC as I stated, Thanks PeterA) who was working a table at the Dupage County Fairgrounds 20+ years ago.  At that time, I thought it was a gimmick that you could by quality O Gauge videos for the low prices they were (and still are).  But within a few minutes of talking to him I realized what a nice, great man he was and my collection of videos began.  Like Richard Melvin, he has a great voice, too.

Last edited by IRON HORSE
@Rich Melvin posted:

Producing that Choo Choo Barn video was one of the most enjoyable projects I ever did. I’m very pleased to know you enjoy all the OGR videos.

The Choo Choo Barn video is one of my all-time favorites.  I've watched it many, many times both wide awake and in slumber .  At one point I emailed Tom Groff to express my appreciation and he responded in kind.  Visiting him and the Choo Choo Barn was on my Bucket List and I was saddened to hear that he passed away. 

Mike

Mike,

A very heartfelt and thoughtful post. Your words inspire me in this hobby because you "love it so much" that kind of thinking is contagious. You remind me that in such turbulent times we all need an occasional break from reality; where we can imagine and remember a smaller simpler world. Thank you for reminding me.

kevin

Other than the ones I watched after back surgery, I don't recall watching any.  The ones I watched were VHS and DVD however.

I tire easily of the ads and preamble of most youtube videos.   I suffer through it on car and appliance repair videos when I'm desperate.

I'm sure they're all great just not something I do right now.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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