Moan about YouTube model train reviews

[Agrippa]

The YouTube reviews of model rail products could do with a bit of editing, instead of
mumbling on for ages about the packaging and showing instruction leaflets they
should get the thing running. I saw one yesterday about the "Train set in a tin" ,
a novelty item which sells for about £9 in my local Co-op.After about 10 minutes
the reviewer hadn't got the thing running.That was in a separate post.

Take a leaf out of movie editors' books and cut to the chase.
(Excludes Spielberg movies which could usually lose about
30 minutes without affecting the plot.)

[Sprintex]

Some people just like the sound of their own voice and assume everyone else does too


Paul

[Bealman]

Or like 3 hours.

Totally agree! I actually fell asleep late one night here in Australia watching one and when I woke up he was just putting it on the track! So I switched it off (you know what it's like when you wake up in a chair in what is essentially the middle of the night), went to bed, and to this day don't if the thing performed or not. 

[NeMo]

The YouTube reviews of model rail products could do with a bit of editing, instead of mumbling on for ages about the packaging and showing instruction leaflets they should get the thing running. I saw one yesterday about the "Train set in a tin", a novelty item which sells for about £9 in my local Co-op.After about 10 minutes the reviewer hadn't got the thing running. That was in a separate post.

I don't disagree with you, Agrippa!

Have watched quite a few over the years, from many different reviewers. But I have noted a few things they have in common:

(1) Almost always they're running their new loco on a train-set oval laid on a table or even the floor. Because of this I suspect most reviewers are collectors rather than modellers.

(2) Even where the loco is being run on a baseboard, very rarely is there any sign of good quality scenery (if any scenery at all) which implies to me that engineering rather than aesthetics are of interest to these particular reviewers.

(3) Detailing parts are invariably still in the bag. This might imply the reviewer is a collector or not bothered with aesthetics. But it might equally mean they've just bought the model, haven't had it running on their layout for any decent length of time. But they want to get their review out before anyone else -- so a "quick look" review is more important than a "how well does it work after a month of running" review.

Cheers, NeMo

[Agrippa]

Yes,they never seem to run on actual layouts, though possibly they have a test track.
Time is wasted showing the foam inserts in the box etc. Perhaps the item is put back in the box
after a couple of circuits.

PS Bealman , the thing did work, powered by a single AA battery and ran round at top speed
until the battery ran down. quite good to put under the Christmas tree as a novelty for a day or two.
Christmas tree layouts seem quite popular in the US, I think  many non- modellers have them.

[Bealman]

 
Ha ha both of you. But you're both on the nail. Mind you, all the detailing parts are still in the bags of my new locos too. Until I can permanently park my locos back on a layout, I don't see any point in putting 'em on.

Agrippa... sounds like you're talking about the Triang Big Big train!

Sorry Pete33... I am aware of your call sign and it's cool. 

[railsquid]

My parts are also staying well and truly in their bags until the layout situation has stabilized.

I noticed that a lot of the reviews I've seen I've tended to skip through, and having discovered the delights of video production for myself, and also dislike the sound of my own voice, I'm thinking any review I make would go something like this:

1) static picture of the box
2) static picture of the bits inside the box
3) static picture of the item in question
4) video of the item from various angles
5) video of the item running; if a locomotive, both alone and with rolling stock (and if possible seen together with other trains for context)
6) possibly picture or video of the item with its bodyshell removed

There'd be subtitles in place of commentary, and the only sound would be of the item running. The whole thing would last 3 or 4 minutes maybe, which is enough to get an impression.

[sparky]

I've mentioned this in previous posts but I think both dapol and bachfar are missing a trick..why don't they make videos of all their products linked from their web sites showing the products in action,nice close ups , tips on using the detailing packs etc..etc.. Their digital marketing is non existent !!..don't know if us or kato etc are any better?

[Griffo]

Dapol do have a "TV" gallery on their website -

http://www.youtube.com/user/DapolTV

- but they do not make best use of it.

Perhaps Joel would be interested in including personal contributions to the gallery? He can be contacted via the Facebook page or the website and although a little slow (he's busy!) you invariably get a response in time....

Steve

[d-a-n]

Very often the reviews don't cover much of what I want to hear. If I was to do one, I'd incorporate some real world/prototype facts about the loco/rolling stock.

[Trainfish]

An OO review but how about this one. Do you think he's upset about the missing seats?

[Bealman]

Gawd... it's PART 2 anorl!!! 

[mark100]

Apparently Bachmann are meant to be more serious than Hornby???

Eventually he will get to making the clip called "Opening the front door and finding a Woman"

[Trainfish]

I think someone will need to show him where the key is to unlock it first.

[mark100]

I think someone will need to show him where the key is to unlock it first.

He would try and use it to wind his locos up.