The joy of (train) sets...TV programme

[PaxVobiscum]

Apologies if this has been posted before but I enjoyed watching ths programme tonight on BBC4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01q9vhy

The Model Railway Story: From Hornby to Triang and beyond, this documentary explores how the British have been in love with model railways for more than a century. What began as an adult obsession with building fully-engineered replicas became the iconic toy of 1950s and 60s childhood. With unique archive and contributions from modellers such as Pete Waterman, this is a celebration of the joys of miniaturisation. Just don't call them toy trains.

Available for 14 days and other transmission times for insomniacs or owners of PVRs listed as

BBC Four
Thu 24 Jan 2013
03:00

BBC Four
Tue 29 Jan 2013
00:30

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

By sheer chance, my wife had seen in the TV schedules that this programme was on BBC4 last night from 2100 to 2200 and had ensured that she recorded it for me to watch.

I still have to view the recording and wondered if any forum member had watched it live. I believe that Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke and Frank Hornby are featured in the early sections of the programme.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Yes, there was quite a feature on the early days of railway modelling and its social context.
I thought it was a good programme with more depth than many documentaries. Not BBC4 at its best perhaps but very good compared to the shallow repetitive stuff put out by many of the channels these days.

 

[snail]

Excellent. For anyone trying to find it on the Sky iPlayer the programme name is 'Timeshift'.

 

[Harbon 1]

I watched it, even managing to find it after my dad told me it was on 'ch4'

 

[snail]

My favourite shot was the one of the bored child watching his dad playing with the trains. Reminded me of my first train set around that age, where I often complained to my mum that my dad wouldn't let me play!

I don't remember my dad having a pipe though...

 

[Clip]

Enjoyed watching this, thought it was excellent. Good that they included self-modellers too - though thats something I just dont have the time for let alone being actually able to make something so intricate. I sometimes have trouble making me tea!

 

[snail]

What's the difference between a 'Professional Railway Modeller' and a plain 'Railway Modeller'? Do people get paid for doing this?

 

[LouJ]

What's the difference between a 'Professional Railway Modeller' and a plain 'Railway Modeller'? Do people get paid for doing this?

Yes - there are many professional modellers out there taking commisions to scratch build locos, rolling stock, track and complete layouts. There is a lot of demand and the better known modellers have work loads that extend for two or three years into the future. If you try to get a hand built loco by a professional then expect to join a waiting list at least two years long and be prepared to part with plenty of cash. Building locos for example is a time consuming job and you can expect to pay at least £25 per hour if not more!

 

[Buffer68]

Most enjoyable indeed. Interesting that more young people are getting into railways on the back of Thomas The Tank Engine - would explain why there seems to be an upsurge of young train spotters.

I inherited my Dads' model railway in the late seventies when I was old enough to appreciate it - on the whole though it wasn't something I did with my Dad. I reckon if I had the space now to put a layout up he would be interested and as he is a joiner by trade would no doubt assist in construction.

On that note, is there a call for skilled people to build baseboards etc. or do most make their own?

 

[crewmeal]

BBC 4 tonight (Tuesday 19th Feb) 11.10pm A repeat from last month I guess.