I have now got the first nine issues of this series and Iam becoming bored. Does anyone think there is any reason to continue with this beginners series. Does anyone think the series will get better? $27.00 every other month buys a loco pretty quick.
Don’t complain to us…we don’t care about your feelings for the things “we” love, you don’t like it then stop paying for it and spen your money on somehting else…
Well, that might be a bit harsh. I am still a beginner, so I am still enjoying it. Not all of it is interesting to me, but enough that I keep getting them. I am finding plenty of ideas in them and as a “visual learner”, I find that I can understand how to do something better by watching it, then doing it, than just reading something in a book or on the forums. So I will keep getting them for a while.
BTW, I only have gotten Volumes 1-7, plus the special on “Big Power”.
FT
HOW MANY OF THESE DO YOU HAVE? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SELLING THEM? IF INTERESTED REPLY TO Kayakgirl46@Yahoo.com
Good question. While I enjoy the visual presentation, I am on the fence as to whether it’s worth the price. I know there’s a production cost that has to be amortized over a small run, so I doubt MR can lower the price. But it is costing me about 8 times as much per dvd as one issue of MR (at the subscription rate). Not sure how long I will continue with it.
Enjoy
Paul
[#ditto]
As a professional camera operator/editor I can NOT stand watching them! The foundation of information is great and the idea is good but the production is…well…lack luster. They need better lighting, better audio, better shots and editing.
I would actually buy them if they were better produced. [2c]
I do agree to a point. I am not a pro but I have noticed a few oportunities. The piece on airbrushing the track and ballast could have been better. The airbrush was held oposite the camera so I could barely make out the effect.
I like the series primarily for the layout tours although brief I enjoy. Occasionally there will be a helpfull tidbit but I do hope they become more detailed and advanced. Leaving out a few key points could cause major frustration.
I enjoyed the one on Horseshoe Curve–since I’ve been there, and around NS’s shops as well. It could have used a bit more PRR/PC content, instead of just focusing on Conrail. However, I thought it was pretty good anyway 
I’m with some of you guys. Being a modeler for 30 years a lot of the info in the series is redundant…Some of the material is like ballasting track…lemme count the different ways!..I do like the camera visits to other modeler’s layouts in the series, but for the price of each video, it’s not all that fantastic. I think they need to get more indepth with the DVD’s. Like scenes showing modelers how to set CV values with all the different systems out there. Even other important things, like a demo on the proper use of an NMRA gauge, scratchbuilding a bridge span using plastruct or styrene plastic, electronic train control and signaling systems, or building a hand layed turnout. Most of the stuff is just too basic. Some of us are way past Model Railroader 101 and want to see more advanced material…chuck
I liked the first demo that they sent–“liked” not loved, and though I’m a beginner, and I’m sure I could definitely have learned some things from some of the other videos, I just didn’t feel like the price was worth it. I do like the idea of having visual “how to . . .” sessions, but I feel like I can get enough hands on experience at my club–might feel more inclined to have bought the series if I didn’t belong to one.
Jim
I second cwclarks suggestion about including handlaying turnouts. I also really like the layout tours and would liketo learn more about how certain effects were acheived ,rather than the modelers personal history.
I have them all, I will probably continue to get them. I have a couple of young, novice friends who get alot out of them. If for no other reason the $13.50 per month is worth it to me as it helps to keep these younger people interested in the hobby. Anything that is good for the hobby and getting/keeping youngsters in the hobby is good by me.
Look at what NMRA has done for the hobby, and continues to do. They are spear-heading an effort to mount a legal Patent battle in the DCC arena. I sure hope they win, or where is DCC heading? They are trying to get the funds from all the DCC manufactures as they can not go this alone. Have you priced a good Patent Lawyer lately? I’ve been a NMRA member since 1974 because of what they do for the hobby.
In any case what is good for the hobby is good for me, even if it is not the NYC in Dayton Ohio in 1967. I can still appreciate good work. If it is not a good value for you don’t buy them. Let The market decide the viabillity just like every other product.
Paul
Dayton and Mad River RR
P.S. I like the coins also, and I am disappointed when I don’t get one.
Don’t try to speak for everyone or anyone else on this board.
ANybody know how to get the series. I have checked the kalmbach web site and there is no series for purchase. any info would be appreciated as I would like a few of the dvd’s
Originally, I think they sent an introductory disc to all their subscribers. Maybe they still do that when you start a subscription. Try emailing them and asking.
Enjoy
Paul
Occasionally they show up on Ebay. Try there.
If you call customer service, they can hook you up. I wanna know how’d you get nine. i’m only on number 4 and was told 5 just came out?
I’ve sent the last two back, but that doesn’t mean that they might not have valuable applications for others. I’m pretty specialized (steam/brass/DC) but I’ve found a lot of things on most of the DVD’s that I think I can use, so I’m keeping them for reference.
But I think the series is meant to appeal to a broad spectrum of the hobby, not just what I’m interested in, so I can’t judge them just by how they appeal to ME.
If the entire DVD isn’t worth it in your opinion, send it back. I’m sure that there will be others that will have valuable hints on it that will make you want to keep it. Just watch them, be open and see what you’d like to keep.
None of them are going to please everyone 100%, we’re too individual as modelers to really expect that.
For myself, I’ve enjoyed enough parts of most of them to keep most of them.
Tom [:)]
I kept the first one (its worth 10 bucks), but I couldn’t justify $27 every two months when I have so much more to purchase for the railroad. I have to agree with cwclark that after 30 years some of the material is redundent. I did like the layout tours albeit they are somewhat short. I think the best work was done many years ago when Russ Larson was editor/publisher and they produced VHS tapes of layout tours only (5 layouts per tape IIRC) and you got to see the complete layout and operations.