Would like to purchase videos of layout construction/scenery/etc. The short list of contenders are: Paul Scole’s, Joe Fugate’s, and Dave Frary’s. Can only buy one set. These seem to pretty much cover the same material. Is any one better than the other? Would like to stay with a set and not mix and match one with the other. I would imagine each has a different philosophy and way of working from the other.
Hi Jack
Why buy videos? Seems to me its a waste of valuable hobby dollars. Everything on the videos would be found on the internet or books and magazines. I know this will get some people on this forum mad but thats the way it has to be. The only layout videos I have ever seen are Joe Fugates 1156 bulb on his site and the Fast tracks turnout building. Both are free. As to building a layout all you need are ideas,room for it, and basic carpentry skills and some artistic flair.
Pete
Jack,
While I will agree with Pete that there a plethora of information on the Internet and in books to learn about how to design and construct a layout, “how to” videos still have their place and can help greatly with the understanding process - especially if you are just starting out in the hobby. Otherwise, why would any of us ever attend live demonstrations? Just think of videos and DVDs as “live demos” captured for posterity.
As for the above, I have the first three of Joe Fugate’s DVD series and have found all of them excellent resources. His diagram explanation for a properly wired programming track and wiring your layout for DCC I found very helpful. I’ve watched a few sections over and over and still manage to pick up things that I missed the first time through.
Tom
I’ve only watched one layout construction video produced by Model Railroader that was given to our club. I found it to be of little value because they try to cover a topic too fast with too little useful detail. Books and magazines would be a better choice, and you might even be able to get them free at your local library or for low cost at a swap meet.
I’ve been in the hobby for 50+ years and have books out the wazoo. There’s things I can still learn, and I’ve found the best way is to see someone doing things versus just reading about them. There are all the little things that just can’t be captured by the written word that one does. In a previous life I had to write test procedures for electronic equipment. It seems that no matter how clearly I wrote them, there was always someone who needed actual hands-on demonstration.
Yeah, there is a ton of stuff on the internet. Contrary to what it may seem, I don’t spend my entire waking hours on the net. If I have the stuff on dvd, I can peruse what I want to from the comfort of a setting that’s easier on me than sitting in front of a computer screen. Most net videos are in itty-bitty windows which for long term viewing give me a headache.
I specifically did not mention the MR videos because of the lack of quality in what they cover. I’ve seen amateur video that’s better put together.
Joe Fugates IMHO
Reading about it vs watching someone actually do? The latter wins hands down. Joe’s scenery and layout speak for themselves in quality, and his DVD’s are of the same caliber. I believe he still offers a coupon for your first video purchase, I got mine (scenery volume #4-part1) for around 15.00. It is awesome. I have no connection with Joe beside the fact I’m a happy customer.
I have not viewed the other choices but I’m responding more to some posters who believe videos are a waste of money. The quality of the video is important, but to generally say ALL videos are a waste is simply not the case.
I just bought Joe’s Scenery set (4 & 5).
I also like Dream, Plan, Build, but hate their monthly plan. So I keep my ear to the ground and pick them up from people who no longer want theirs. My son and I watch them together and eat popcorn.
I also put them on and watch while I’m working on the layout–often beats TV programming.
I vote for Joe’s videos as well. Very good value for money. Seeing something done before your eyes can really increase you confidence level that you can do it, in my opinion. That’s the best part of the videos, to me,
There are some good segments in the DPB videos, but there’s a lot of other stuff to go through.
If you want a taste of what Joes are like, he (or someone) has snippets on YouTube. They can give you a feel for his videos at least. (just youtube search his name)
DPB series gets my overall vote, then Topical specific DVDs, next is GMR and Fugate is last.
I’ve seen all of the DPB, 80% of Fugate and ~1/2 of the GMRs.
Dream Plan Build - Good tips, lots of subjects, early ones pretty basic, later ones going deeper and much greater details from fellows like Koester. seen them all at least 3 times.
GMR - Shows the layouts of the legends of our hobby. One gets tips from the masters. Most inspirational. These guys are the best. Ones I have seen I watched several times.
Fugate - Good, but it is focused only on his layout which is good but not a lot of variety in either approach or techniques. Watched them only once, not looked at vol 5 yet.
Topical - specialized DVDs on trees, mountains, etc.
Here is my own personal assessment.
Just my 2 cents.
I have the complete set (5 DVD) of Joe Fugate’s “How To” videos. I consider myself an experienced HO modeler and find these videos to be an excepitionally great investment. I have watched them over and over and over, and learn something new each time I watch them. I have built several HO scale layouts and I am in the process of constructing my second large (30’x60’) layout.
I am primarily a “lone wolf” modeler because I live in rural Kansas, but I am constructing a layout that can be operated when my friends come for a visit. I also have Joe Fugate’s OPS videos as well.
While I think the videos are great, I haso have a nice library of “How To” books, belong to my protype RR historical society, belong to the Layout Desigh SIG, NMRA and do a lot of research on the Internet.
As several veteran modelers have said in the past, Joe Fugate’s complete 5-Video set is the best $100 that one can spend on model railroading. The #4 and 5 DVDs on Scenery are a good choice, if you don’t want the entire set. Incidentally, you can purchase the part of any DVD on just the Chapter on the topic that you desire most. While it is true that you can search for the information on the Internet, it is nice to be able to get visual and audio “How tos” by referring to the DVD’s Table of Contents, and clicking on the topic that you can run over and over, to recall the fine points or suggested sequence of operations to complete the modeling job. Bob
My local NMRA Division here in Milwaukee has an excellent collection of videos and DVDs on both railfanning and model railroading topics, and we can borrow them for free. I know some large clubs have a similar system. But I can see how a lone wolf or someone without access to those kinds of resources needs alternatives.
Years ago Kalmbach had a very good video on laying track with the late Lorel Joiner. I do not know if that has been incorporated into their DPB series or not – there is a fair amount of recyled material in DPB.
Dave Nelson
I’ve only seen Joe Fugate’s DVDs on Youtube so far, but one thing that absolutely impressed me was his fine quality of teaching and sequencing information in an extremely clear and concise way.
I’m an ex schoolteacher and this skill is not one that comes naturally to everyone and some only get the techniques in presenting information and modeling (demonstrating) an activity after a lot of training.
You can check out his manner (as described above) in the DCC forums, here. Even I can understand
what he’s telling us and I’m the biggest electrical/electronics dimwit around!
I’ve owned Dan Crary’s books and they are excellent but haven’t seen his videos/DVDs although I’d feel
confident that they’re very good to excellent.
Check out the youtube stuff and the DCC forum and I’d be surprised if that doesn’t convince you that Joe
Fugate’s a great and talented teacher.
Despite reading Joe’s Scenery Clinics extensively and adopting some of the techniques, seeing the the DVD really helped me to improve my techniques. I would recommend the whole series, it would be difficult not to learn something from each DVD.
I agree they are focussed on his layout, but what better way to do it. Some of the other more abstract DVD (woodland scenics for example) gloss over much of the important detail. Joe goes to great lengths to explain what he is doing, with what and where he got it.
I will gladly buy more of his series as he releases it.
By all means, go for the entire set of Joe Fugate’s DVD’s. He shows what can be accomplished, then explains in detail how to do it. For example in his scenery (2 DVD’s) he shows the real area typical scenery photographs, what it should look like under his train space lighting, and how to get there in discrete steps. He shows the different foliage and color ranges for deciduous trees and conifers. He also demonstrates making trees and shrubs, as well as how to build your own static grass applicator and the techniques of using it!
But way before you get to scenery he goes into planning, benchwork and spline construction, trackwork, bridges, wiring, DCC, and a host of other tips. He even has a tour of the layout, typical operations, and a train ride on the first DVD! I have played all of mine many times and gotten something useful every time I watch them. jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
Only video of Joe Fugate’s I’ve seen is the vignette through MRR on ballasting–I was impressed enough with it that I plan on buying some, if not his whole series of videos in the future, particularly after the positive reviews here.
Jim
Made up my mind and went for the 2-pack of Joe’s scenery videos. There’s a combo price and free shipping, so how can I lose? I decided against the whole enchilada because I’m never going DCC, so that leaves out volume 3; planning and construction I’ve got books on, so that’s volume 1 and 2 I don’t need right now. Can’t wait to see them and see what all the fuss is about. Should be good. Thanks all for the advice.
I got Joe Fugates videos and they are superb. I’m using a lot of his methods on my now under construction layout. I think the money spent was well worth it. Not much in comparison to just the cost of the bench work on one small part of the layout.
Magnus
I have all 3 of the series you mentioned as well as most of the DPB series.
Of all that is out there Joe’s is the hands down best bang for your $. I consider this a must have. While he works on his layout and with his methods (there are more than one way of doing things), the techniques can be adapted to most RR’s. His ability to teach is easy to grasp and apply. You also have the additional support of asking him to explain something you don’t grasp or can’t apply. He has answered many of my questions in a very timely manner.
Paul has a good 2 part series that would make a good addition to Joe’s videos especially if you are doing the Pacific Northerwest or desert areas. I would make these my 1st choice if I was doing circa 1890’s. Over all worthy of your library but not my 1st choice if I had only one. Paul has also taken time to answer my questions.
Dave’s 4 part series is also very good and covers a few things not in the others. It’s getting a little dated but is a good choice for basics. Again, worthy of your library but not my 1st choice if I had only one (would be my 2nd overall choice though).
DPB can be hit or miss depending on your interests and the offerings in the current edition. Also a little pricey to get the complete series and still not get all areas addressed in the other series.
Hope this helps
ratled