Besides the new content we're producing, we'll keep looking for other video content to add to the library like this to make your TrainMasters sub as helpful as possible.

That would be cool to get Pentrex, Smiley, Machine of Iron, Catenary Productions to get on board (pun intended) Joe, is this going to be like Netflix of Train videos with original content too? It's shaping up to be wicked cool!

Chris

I like the idea but considering there are model railroad "how to videos" and other types of video on YouTube that can be accessed free, "Train Masters TV" will need to be very impressive for me to pay a subscription.  

That said, I do plan on checking out the channel for at least one month.  

I do like the concept of producing programming connected to the hobby in general, not "a poorly hidden plug for MRH magazine or a paid advertiser."  Sadly, that seems to be the norm for another Model Railroad magazine and their publishing company. 

 Looking forward to hearing more.

Joe Musgrove    

I anticipate I will be impressed with the quality and quantity of material this new service will provide.  If it's even half of what was with his DVD series, I will be a lifetime subscriber!

Ken L.

could i purchase each "episode" separately?

TrainMasters subscribers will have full access to all titles as long as they remain a subscriber, with more added each week.

However, if you do want to "own" a copy of a title that you can take offline, that will be an extra fee, and only available to subscribers.

If there's enough demand for any of the titles such that it has become a "classic" then we might consider doing an offline downloadable sale but our business niche is electronic content delivered over the internet, not physical media. We're moving away from DVD sales because the cost of manufacturing, stocking, packing, and shipping physical media is significant.

Dear Joe M,

"Free" is usually worth what you paid for it,
MRH and JMRI being the rare exceptions which support-if-not-prove the rule.

Sure, there's plenty of "free" YT content against which a modeller (newcomer or otherwise) could rely to answer any Model RR question or complete any given building task. However, for every "truly useful" YT clip I'd reckon there's at least 3 which
- contain dis-information
- contain region-specific materials or techniques
(IE cannot obtain <insert material, chemical, or product here> where-ever the viewer is located)
- contains illegal or hazardous techniques
(again, related to difference between location of YT poster and location of viewer)
- is poorly shot/edited to the point of being un-watchable, let alone effectively instructional
- is poorly posted re image resolution
- is poorly tagged for relevance

I agree, if the user is paying for the service, then a minimum benchmark needs to be met.
I know the MRH/TMTV crew recognize this responsibility,
and am pretty confident they'll make it a personal mission to exceed expectations
(borne out of the user "having to pay for it", and having to compete with the "free offerings").

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

The MRH philosophy is free stuff is ad-supported, and paid stuff has few if any ads (maybe a brief house ad at the end, or a logo that says "this segment sponsored by ___"). 

Obviously, free stuff that's crap isn't worth anything, so MRH mag needs to maintain its quality level.

TrainMasters-TV (TMTV) is being managed by Barry Silverthorn, a professional who has produced video for network and PBS TV and a long-time model railroader who knows the hobby well. Technically, the quality will be superb and we will get in close to show you the details so you can really see what's going on.

We're passionate hobbyists first and content producers second. To a good degree, TMTV content will be an extension of MRH both in quality and in target audience (intermediate to advanced).

Barry and I are agreed we're not interested in making TMTV into a big MRH infomercial. The subject matter and the hobbyist will be front and center, with MRH there in the background. It will be clear TMTV is an MRH brand, but we won't waste a lot of time beating you over the head with that fact.

With us, quality content is king. Trying to scheme ways to part people from their money is not what we're about. We believe if we truly help you excel at your hobby aspirations through our content, then you will gladly put us at the top of your "must have" list - and for paid content you will feel you are getting a great value.

In other words, if we do our job right, our content will sell itself. We won't need to be in-your-face about it.

I own all of your hard copy videos and am impressed with the detail and quality.  I will also sign up for the service.  Do we really have to wait until December?  How about dropping little teasers and snippits before then?

Thanks,

David

I know Marty and Bernie both reported how being in front of the camera when Barry Silverthorn is running the shoot feels quite different from your "ordinary" video shoot - and having been in front of the camera with Barry on a production as well, I can attest to that.

Barry is very organized and deliberate about how he produces, and he makes you relax and really enjoy the experience. I can also see the quality that's going into the camera work and lighting, and it's a joy to watch.

After working with Barry on the early production work for TrainMasters content, I am more excited than ever at the quality of content you'll be getting from TMTV. We could not have a better hobbyist and professional at the helm of TMTV.