The Trouble with having an interesting hobby...
Besides fiddling with my airbrush project, Free.Mo.N module, and Inglenook Sidings mini layout, I also enjoy participating and listening to Model Rail Radio (www.modelrailradio.com). One of the topic that came up during the night was the reluctance, or possibly lack of skills in the current "ready-to-run" model railroaders. I have heard this same sentiment echoed on other podcasts, forums, and even some magazines.
I don't know whether I wholly agree with these views, but I suggested that someone ought to make a video that takes some of the mystery out of maintaining and upgrading current locomotives. Prof. Klyzlyr (one of the regular participants on MRR) opined that I should be making such a video - Challenge accepted! So over the coming weeks I will be testing, disassembling, cleaning, evaluating DCC options, reassembling, and testing again, my current roster of locos. All in front of the camera and making the results public.
Admittedly, I am not a professional, nor even competent model repair tech, but I am willing to give it my best shot. Since I work exclusively in N scale, I will be limited to the models I actually own for fodder for my ministrations. One thing that has always amazed me is that manufacturers do not include basic instructions for maintenance with their models. Oh sure, some include an exploded diagram, but that is about it. I would love to see professionally developed instructional videos on all the basics (NMRA? Athearn? Walthers? el al?). Until then, suffer along with my feeble efforts :)
Here is the first installment in three parts
Comments, questions, hints, tips, suggestions are all welcome! I would invite any of you to make a video, write an article, or develop a clinic on whatever topic peaks your interest or is near and dear to your heart. Share your knowledge, because you never know what will connect with a new modeler and resonate. Maybe if we take some of the mystique out of some of these "dark and scary" areas, more people will be willing to give them a try!
Just a thought,
Toni
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Comments
Toniwryan's blog on cleaning locomotives
Great idea on your videos on taking apart a locomotive (especially "N" scale). I have done the same thing on my locos to get them to run better. These videos should help new comers as well as those who have been in the hobby for years. I would like to see you do a video on the steam engine especially if you are installing a decoder in it. I have an older Model Power steam engine that I would like to see run better. Usually a decoder in the engine seems to improve the running. I haven't had the courage to try installing a decoder in a steam locomotive.
Thanks
suprememodelrailroader
Not too many comments here...
I suspect I know why - I started watching the first video and realized it was nearly 15 minutes long. As was the second - the third almost 10 minutes. At that point I have to admit that I had other things I wanted to do with the next 40 minutes - for one thing I promised myself I'd work on my layout tonight. :-)
A podcast can be that long because you can be doing other things while you listen to it - but videos require your full attention.
I like the concept - I really do - but I think you'd get a lot bigger reception if it were three 5-minute sets instead. We've got short attention spans - and an interesting hobby we want to get back to.
--
Jeff Shultz
http://www.shultzinfosystems.com
The Willamette & Pacific RR - Oregon Electric Branch
Model Railroad Hobbyist Technical Assistant
Thanks!
I appreciate the feedback Jeff. I kind of dithered about the length, but really wanted to show most of the process, in addition to giving a step by step. A lot of people seem to think that soldering is some kind of mysterious art, when it really is simple if you have the right tools. I probably could do a bit better with more rehearsal as well.
That said - I am compressing 6 hours or so into about an hour. I really wanted to illustrate some of the process involved for a newer modeler, old hands will probably already have their own methods.
Part of what inspired me to do the more in-depth style video is the problems I ran into in trying to build my modular layout. Model Railroader ran the series, I watched all the videos, but several things critical to getting the modules to fit together, align, how to make the tracks line up were simply glossed over and I was left to my own devices. Hence my exploration of FreeMo techniques.
Speaking of which, I need to do a shortish video chronicling what I have learned about module construction! Plus I realize that I left out the weighing of the locomotives ( I have a pair ) to shown just how much weight I carved out of the model I modified.
It may not be as entertaining as it could be, I just hope it will encourage just a few folks to try things they may not feel feel comfortable with at first. Hopefully more folks will make more videos showing their processes, techniques, and projects. It's all ideas!
I'm glad you at least looked and took the time to comment. :)