Model Train Spotting, Not Live (idea)

[zwilnik]

After cringing our way through the first episode of  train spotting live, my brother suggested a not entirely stupid idea.

What about those of us with working layouts contribute a one or two minute video of their trains running (basically whatever you find interesting) with some notes on what it's showing then we montage them all into a 30-45 minute video, possibly with optional commentary as an "N Gauge Train Spotting" video blog.

Would probably be a lot more interesting that what the BBC has come up with!

[Ditape]

It could not be any worse and it might give the BBC a idea to do a Modelling show instead of all the cooking,antique and car shows.

[Skyline2uk]

Like this,

Would happily contribute 

Skyline2uk

[Dorsetmike]

As for spotting model trains, I remember seeing a lad at a couple of Bristol shows back in the 1980s, going from layout to layout with an Ian Alan combined edition and actually marking off what he saw; often wondered what he thought when he saw the same loco number on more than one layout

[kirky]

Very difficult to do in N gauge. I find it hard enough to read the loco numbers when Ive got the thing in me hand and my eye is ten inches from it.

But I like the idea of a montage of N guage footage.

cheers
Kirky

[railsquid]

Interesting idea, but it is indeed tricky with the numbers; here a couple of recent videos I made:

Numbers too blurry to read, though they were quick shots in poor lighting conditions, better camera settings (or a better camera) and lighting might help.

[zwilnik]

We could do the numbers/names etc. as part of the details with each video.

So you record a 1-2 minute video clip (or edit down to 1-2 minutes). In *LANDSCAPE* of course. Without any voice over. Then add some notes or the narrator and the video info, such as what the loco/train/scenic vista etc. is in the clip, loco numbers or anything you think might be interesting and that can be used in the optional narration and added to the video info.

Feasibly, when they're all stuck together, we end up with a 30-45 minute video with a *lot* of trains and information

[mr bachmann]

sounds like a great idea, but to keep it looking professional let the subject do the moving and camera still at all times and don't play with the zoom . if possible manual focusing once mastered .

[scotsoft]

I like the idea but feel there may have to be more than one compilation needed to keep everyone happy.

e.g. Steam, Diesel, EMU's, Continental, American and all the others I have not listed.

Cheers John.

[zwilnik]

I like the idea but feel there may have to be more than one compilation needed to keep everyone happy.

e.g. Steam, Diesel, EMU's, Continental, American and all the others I have not listed.

Cheers John.

Yup. would be easy to start with a general compilation to see just how practical it is to do, then do specific ones.

[port perran]

I quite like this idea.
Sounds very interesting. Only think is my videoing skills are very poor!

[Chris Morris]

My video skills ain't good but here is train spotting on the Ridgacre branch. I was driving and filming at the same time. The whole layout is 44" by 30"

[zwilnik]

What we'll probably need to do is work out somewhere to upload the video clips and info to for collation.

In theory we could do a shared Dropbox folder and pm whoever is collating/narrating to be added to it.

[Graham Walters]

Very difficult to do in N gauge. I find it hard enough to read the loco numbers when Ive got the thing in me hand and my eye is ten inches from it.

But I like the idea of a montage of N guage footage.

cheers
Kirky

You need to pan the camera with number, then it should stay in focus, will take a bit of practice.