No model rail tv program. why not

[Geoff]

We must be a nation of model railway lovers, so why has no one gone the extra mile to give all the gauges a Model Railway Program, the following would be fantastic, the amount of rubbish that is on the tv at the moment that her in doors watches, so why can we not have one? Any one know any tv directors to get one going if so then give them a shove.

oh well my moan over for the day.

[Agrippa]

That's a good point.  Most simple answer would be there's no money to be made. excluding the BBC.

There are relatively few in depth  hobby based programmes on tv , plenty of golf , but not much how to play it,
Top Gear for petrolheads , but not car maintenance, same for photography, r/c planes, small boats, coins,
stamps, motorcycling etc.

TV  exists on personalities and soundbites and 10 minutes of a 30 minute programme
devoted to wiring point motors narrated by some mumbling beardie isn't going to sell.

About the only practical based  programmes are usually gardening and cooking (with cheesy celebs}
and these daft building projects with  "Will Nigel get finished on budget as the roof has collapsed".

[daveg]

No point in sending begging letters to James May, then? 

Dave G

[Agrippa]

Nooooooooooooooooooooo.....

Don't forget he's just the celeb and doesn't put the money up, although he's done
the long distance model train race which was quite entertaining and he's quite
a friendly face. Bob Symes was quite good(still with us?).

With rail modelling , excluding reviews of the latest whizz bang, things like
ballasting , track laying and frog discussions aren't going to set
the heather alight.

[Newportnobby]

I guess even if some enterprising TV Exec thought about it, they would probably take the attitude that it's all pretty much out there on YouTube

[Michael Shillabeer]

Bob Symes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Symes presented a series of 10 programmes on the BBC in the 1970s called "Model World"

If I remember correctly the last 3 were model railways with the previous editions covering cars, boats, planes etc.

There was a book too.

Google shows that "Model World" is on YouTube but I can't see it because its blocked here at work!

Bob Symes' voice also appears at Pendon as a part of an audio description.

Best regards
Michael

[daveg]

If it's the Bob Symes I'm aware of, he left us way back in 1990.

Came over as a splendid fellow!

Dave G

[port perran]

And of course any programme would be aimed at everyone (not just enthusiasts) so it might end up being quirky and then we'd all moan.
However, I do like the idea and it would possibly inspire others to join the hobby.

[FeelixTC]

There have been 'glimpses' - I can recall seeing Richard Bardsley on some 'modelling' (ie: not restricted to railways) series.
It all seemed a bit 'generic' though; patronising to those that do already model and perhaps only really of interest to someone who doesn't.

[Agrippa]

Millions watch David Attenborough programmes even if they're not interested in wildlife
as the programmes are well made (expensively) and entertaining. However for model rail
programmes skilled enthusiasts would want advanced techniques and technical stuff
unlikely to appeal to kids or the general public so I think the YouTube option is the way.


PS very belated RIP Bob Symes .

[steam-driven boy]

Hi,

PS very belated RIP Bob Symes .

I wonder how they held his interview with Chris Nevard, due in Model Rail 200 - published Aug 28th 

Regards, Gerry 

[Agrippa]

Glad to hear he's still around!

[Newportnobby]

The Wickedpedia link states he was living in Guildford as of 2014

[sparky]

TV is no longer just TV.....there is so much to view on mediums such as You Tube that there is in my view very little that's not already on line in forums like this one and many others plus the home made ones ....perhaps both Bachfar and Dapol could create a few more tutorials or on line reviews posted on their sites of each new model as they appear...would also be nice to see some "how to" type videos from them covering simple servicing or problem solving...much better than the meaningless "oil carefully type instructions" which mean nothing !

[steam-driven boy]

Hi,
For the short form, Agrippa's excellent Reply #1 can't be bettered, on the other hand if you have time to kill...:
The most recent TV effort I'm aware of was the BBC4 Time Shift "The Joy Of (Train) Sets" which, for a one-off programme aimed at entertaining the mainly disinterested viewer did a pretty decent job on the subject for a change – but typical of this 'old-school' series, and has been/will be repeated every now and again so worth watching out for if you missed it – I don't see how they could possibly have done much better under the modern constraints of 'entertainment' and time.
I would think it mighty unlikely that any broadcaster would consider commissioning a properly done – in our terms - series, even on the BBC they are slaves to capturing and then keeping the 'strays' just as much as commercial channels who need to keep their advertisers happy – it's a numbers game.
Some other commendable efforts; Bob Symes also did the well known Lineside Look At Model Railways programmes of course.
Quite a few years back now one of the Discovery digital channels flirted with a few variations on the modelling theme:
Model Mania featured programs on model railways / cars / aircraft / boats (including submarines!) – Malcolm Mitchell featuring on one whole edition demonstrating the skills for 7mm loco etched kit building!, the series presenter being the usual 'chirpy media-friendly' type, but not the worst example I've ever seen.
Model Town featured a large OO model railway being constructed at the Bluebell Railway – just for the series, it was scrapped after filming. The highpoints of this series were the visits to a number of top rate  exhibition layouts, plus some specialist modellers.
The lowpoints were the 'cheeky chappy' presenter, probably the worst example I've just about managed to persevere with (each to his/her own...), and a very childish running story.
Then there was the Mark Found stuff. One on building a (G scale?) garden railway, the emphasis very much one of a complete newbie approaching the subject.  Again, with visits to quality garden layouts and specialist skilled modellers.
He also did a series each on a r/c HMS Fearless and a r/c Globemaster!
It seems some people actively dislike his persona, I found it pretty easy to ignore and concentrate on the really interesting stuff.  He also co-presented Trainspotting, on the real railway.
Bits of a lot of this stuff can be seen on YouTube. 
I'm aware of at least a couple of attempts at online subscription 'channels', one by Mark Found a mix of model and real (again, see his YouTube), but I don't think either had much significant success.
There are quite a few people who upload good individual stuff to YouTube, when I can find the time/effort to search around on there.

Not claiming to be an exhaustive coverage – but have add a brief mention of Christopher Trace and the Blue Peter layout 
...and No, you'll never get that time back... 

Regards, Gerry