Great Model Railway Challenge - Channel 5

[PhilJ W]

There have been a couple of open days this year and, as far as I know, this is set to continue for invited groups and societies. We were there in September this year and, as on previous visits, had a superb day out. The museum has some wonderful artifacts and its without doubt the most impressive garden railway I've ever seen!!

The good looking one in the middle is Kim, the two fat blokes are myself and Gascupboard Dave

 

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Jerry

 

Edit to add that the climb to the upper station from the dear park where there are two more small stations is 1 in 13 - check out youtube ,its full regulator stuff bouncing around in a 4 wheel wagon - -marvelous.   

Any better pics of the coach in the first two pics?

[t-b-g]

That's quite a claim ! Did the judges know of this ?

I have no idea!

[t-b-g]

I have absolutely no axe to grind here, but this is a major claim being made by Barry. It implies that the whole process is corrupt. It questions the honesty/integrity of the judges. I hope Barry has written proof of these claims. If he has he should publish it here.

The way it was explained to me it seemed more of a misunderstanding than anything sinister. I have no real involvement but only mentioned it because I know Barry and wasn't happy at the way people were describing his involvement, which does not reflect his true character.

[Barry Ten]

Thanks Barry! It certainly was a great show! Amiens even won best in show!

 

Excellent! I thought it looked great and ran very well. I liked the quality of the weathering too.

[Scottish Modeller]

It's the sort of thing that may well attract newbies hoverers of any age and possibly some kids to have a go. I know my daughter has recorded it for my young grandsons to watch. If I have a crit it is the scheduling at 8pm not 7, as too late in the evening for youngish kids and hopefully it will get a repeat at some time in an earlier time slot.

 

Hi John,

 

That is exactly the reason for doing this challenge.

 

It isn't aimed at the already active modeller.

 

It's firmly aimed at getting more people involved - ie those who thought about doing a bit of railway modelling, but didn't.

 

Hopefully the series will give them enough enthusiasm to actually do something.

 

Thanks

[NittenDormer]

It's modelling, on the telly, made to look entertaining (which strikes me as the tricky bit). What's not to like?

[Huw Griffiths]

I know Barry of the Missenden team and we have spoken about the show. He told me that they had previously checked to see if their plans were OK and within he rules and had been told that they were.

 

So when they turned up for filming to be told they had done too much in advance, they were not best pleased. They had to react and think on the spur of the moment with the cameras around and he was a bit concerned at how they would be portrayed.

 

Imagine yourself in that position and perhaps you can understand why they were not at their usual jovial best!

 

There was no intention to cheat or to push the rules.

 

Barry and the rest of the team are not the sort of people to do that.  

 

I have absolutely no axe to grind here, but this is a major claim being made by Barry. It implies that the whole process is corrupt. It questions the honesty/integrity of the judges. I hope Barry has written proof of these claims. If he has he should publish it here.

 

The contrast between these viewpoints seems interesting, to say the least.

 

However, just for a minute, let's try and pull back from the brink. Although I wasn't there, I wonder if both "sides" might have a point here. For all I know, it's possible that there might perhaps have been some sort of misunderstanding.

 

If we assume that the team had cleared the concept of forced perspective town and backscene with the production company and judges, I wonder if anything of substance was said about how much would be printed out, stuck to backings and cut to shape beforehand. I could imagine a situation in which a team might get clearance to use the backscenes etc - then see this as permission to print and cut out the backscenes beforehand.

 

Meanwhile, the judges might be expecting to see the team build the backscenes during the "official" build time - then taking exception when everything appears, ready made, only to be clipped together and fitted in about ten seconds flat.

 

Of course, it would be quite easy for any team to avoid a similar situation in any future series. That's right - turn up with a computer, colour printer, plenty of ink cartridges - and bulk packs of photo paper, foamcore board and double sided carpet tape. A roller, a steel rule and the usual X-Acto knife with a box of #11 blades might also come in useful here - but I'm sure everyone gets the general idea ... .

 

OK - I might have "misread" what went on - in which case, I hope the people concerned are prepared to accept my apologies in advance - but I could easily imagine such a scenario.

 

Whatever the score, I'd prefer to assume that everyone involved acted in good faith here.

 

 

If the Missenden team had done the same amount of modelling in the 3 days that the other 2 teams managed maybe the judges might have been less harsh - their layout was akin to someone turning up wit a boxful of Skaledale / Scenecraft and vaguely dotting a paint brush about without much care or attention, hoping  that the building will wow the judges. 

 

I must admit that, when I watched the programme, I didn't exactly have a lot of sympathy for the Missenden team. This wasn't helped by comments shown which suggested that at least one of their number might have been expecting to win, pretty much by right - despite some of their build being nowhere near finished. The way this stuff came across did nothing to endear the team to this viewer, at least.

 

 

Certainly, in any future series, I could imagine the judges, production company and participants going out of their way to ensure clarity regarding rules and interpretation - I can't see anyone wanting a repeat performance, for whatever reason.

 

In all honesty, though, I suspect that, by the start of this year's "Warley" show, the production company might well have quite a long list of things they'd change in any future series - which might well start with:

• Using much more lightweight baseboards (foamcore, anyone?) - perhaps also in smaller sections, for ease / speed of working.
• Replacing the "scratchbuild challenge" with a requirement to kitbash some random secondhand model train oddments (eg damaged Hornby Pacers, plus Ratio coach kits) into something interesting (bonus marks if the thing runs, even if it's "out of era" - chances are it wouldn't be any more "out of place" with the layout stock than some of the mixes of items actually available to the teams).
• For all I know, they might even stipulate one specific control system for operating the trains etc. Just to make things fair for any teams or participants who normally use other systems on their own layouts, I could also imagine them providing samples of the controllers, decoders etc at the same time as they send the brief (with copies of the manuals being emailed to all the participants individually).

 

In case my comments about controllers sound strange to some people, a significant number of modellers have never used DCC (and might have no intention of doing so) - especially if their personal layouts can be operated on a "1 engine in steam" basis.

 

 

Anyway, changing the subject completely, I enjoyed reading Kathy's comments in this thread. The YouTube videos I've seen are also very interesting - partly because they offer me the chance to learn a lot of very good stuff that I knew nothing about before - partly because, with the stuff I already had given some thought to (such as wiring LEDs to light buildings, model train carriages etc), I'd probably have used different methods.

 

This isn't me saying "my method's better than yours" - far from it. Some of my work-related experience has been in specialized fields (eg strain gauging), in which some very non-standard methods are routinely used. If I were to incorporate similar stuff into my own modelling projects, I suspect I'd probably use bits of a number of approaches - together with adaptations of my own, to suit my own purposes. I could imagine other people devising their own "custom" methods of working - and nothing wrong with that (especially if they work) ... .

 

 

Regards,

 

Huw.

Edited October 7, 2018 by Huw Griffiths

[wombatofludham]

Just watched the first episode off the $ky box and I thought it a cracking little show.  Given the amount of non-"sneery" railway related programmes coming out of C5, it does make you wonder if the UK commissioning team of Viacom have a serious gricer high up the food chain.

 

Positives:  

 

1.  The emphasis in the opening v/o on artistry and creativity and the total absence of let's all have a giraffe at the geeky freaks slant which for too long has been the metier of any railway TV.  It was presented as a creative challenge and I think gave a good overview of the skills needed for railway modelling.  Whilst it was light on detail, that is to be expected for a broadcaster, who have to cater for a wide audience.  Most people today will realise if they want to delve into more detail following a tv programme they can go to YouTube, although that might be a bit of a mixed blessing.

 

2.  I thought the choice of a "movie" theme (and next week's "TV" theme) was actually very good in that it associated the long history of model making and scenic work in the world of cinema with the model making on display, further distancing the nerdy image from the creativity and detail work.

 

3.  There has been quite a growth in creative hobbies over the past few years and this show is putting out another option for people wanting to try something different.

 

Negatives: 

 

None, really.

 

Overall I thought it a worthy general introduction to the hobby aimed at engaging non-enthusiasts and the general public, and one that those of us engaged in publically showing model railways really should capitalise on, whatever misgivings we may have about the format, as a positive way of engaging with the public.

[NIK]

Hi,

 

As to how they could improve things for a possible next series:

 

Not supply MDF baseboards as the dust may require hoovering up for safety reasons - more noise that the film crew soundpersons don't like and interrupts modelling.

 

Have a venue where the filming is further away from noises such as planes from Heathrow, Peacocks in the garden and 1:1 steam trains (in the final).

 

Be more flexible with the proportions that could be spent with each sponsor. Some teams had £100 for sundries whereas some modellers layouts the sundries cost more than the rest of the layout put together.

 

Be clearer about the rules at the start of the pre-build if possible.

 

Be clear about what rolling stock the teams can provide themselves - I've already seen rolling stock in the first show and the trailer for the second where I'm not sure if they were allowed by the rules.

 

Bachmann and Hornby to hold back rolling stock so there is more choice for the teams.

 

Have each team in a separate building so that there are less interruptions to the modelling in order to record the sound properly. It is not IMO bake off - bake off was largely suitable for cheap filming as there is not much noise. doesn't take too much time and the critical stuff takes place in ovens where the temperature is controlled unlike the venue used for the first GMRC series.

 

Consider changing the scratchbuild challenge, if they are going to big up the teams that take part and encourage teams to take part in a possible second series they might want to take into account that a lot of the top layouts use the best raw materials not the cast offs of three legged relatives (did anyone else spot that?).

 

 

Regards

 

Nick

Edited October 8, 2018 by NIK

[Signalist]

Plywood would be nicer than MDF. The MDF did the job though - but foam would be far too specialist to work with for most.

 

Better sound insulation would be good - I think that is why they invented studios!

 

How the budget was split among the sponsors was a complete nightmare - along with the lack of availability of many items. The track budget from Peco was adequate, but it was hard to find anything useful in stock at B or H. After protests at no Metcalfe being available from the initial suppliers Metcalfe were very generous with their sponsorship and this is reflected in what you see on the layouts! If you stock it teams can use it.

 

We were required to provide our own rolling stock - hence on many layouts the builders had to make do with what they had to hand rather than what fitted the model. KBG were very helpful at trying to obtain difficult to get items (for which I am very grateful) but some things were just not available and had to be got from auction sites. The short lead time made it difficult to obtain any new stock items and get them up and running to a good standard in time let alone getting a custom sound package produced for each train. Don't think that stock new out of the box is going to run - it does not, and they don't build new models like they used to!

 

The scratch build challenge does sort out the boys from the men when it comes to being innovative and producing something with what you have to hand quickly. Alan Downes would not have had any problem with this aspect and I think his standards are not to be quibbled at. Hiding the source material and making it unrecognisable without explanation is probably key to winning the audience over. This aspect is really as you see it - the materials are a complete surprise and there is little time to work with them. This competition is not for those who procrastinate and need a long time to do anything.

[Huw Griffiths]

Hi,

 

As to how they could improve things for a possible next series:

 

Not supply MDF baseboards as the dust may require hoovering up for safety reasons - more noise that the film crew soundpersons don't like and interrupts modelling.

 

...

 

Be more flexible with the proportions that could be spent with each sponsor. Some teams had £100 for sundries whereas some modellers layouts the sundries cost more than the rest of the layout put together.

 

Be clearer about the rules at the start of the pre-build if possible.

 

Be clear about what rolling stock the teams can provide themselves - I've already seen rolling stock in the first show and the trailer for the second where I'm not sure if they were allowed by the rules.

 

Bachmann and Hornby to hold back rolling stock so there is more choice for the teams.

 

...

 

Consider changing the scratchbuild challenge, if they are going to big up the teams that take part and encourage teams to take part in a possible second series they might want to take into account that a lot of the top layouts use the best raw materials not the cast offs of three legged relatives (did any one else spot that?).

 

Oh yes - I was half expecting some mention of the surname "Addams".

 

As for any changes to the venue, I'd be surprised if they were to happen - anyway, I could imagine some people being attracted to future series if they thought they'd get the chance to visit the place used in the first series.

 

Some people might also like the prospect of some interaction (albeit limited) with other teams in the same heat - I'm not saying this would be the case for everyone, but I suspect it might apply to some people.

 

The rest of your suggestions sound like very fair comment - especially the stuff about baseboards. "Palight" (rigid PVC foam) would be easy to work with, needing something like EvoStik or superglue to stick it together - while I reckon it should also be possible to suggest suitable mainstream adhesives for working with "pink" or "blue" foam. Certainly, I've never been a fan of MDF - and I don't see my opinion on this stuff changing any time soon.

 

 

Another possibility might concern the build area(s) and tools, workbenches etc - perhaps a reasonable setup could be provided (with a list) by the production company - but with participants free to supply any extra stuff they feel appropriate.

 

If I may use my own electronics engineering and hobbyist background as an example, I used various "employer provided" multimeters and solder stations / soldering irons in previous workplaces - although there'd be a lot to be said for providing these, my own might be different makes which I'm more used to.

 

Returning to railway modelling, my LED tester might not feature in a standard toolkit - and my track wiring tester is a "homebrew" - but I'd probably find both of use at certain stages in a layout build.

 

However, workbenches / tables are likely to be of use to most modellers - but, as I don't have access to a car, there's no way I'd be able to get any of these to a competition venue. Similar comments would apply to stuff like printers - but a small holdall or "daysack" sized backpack with a small selection of personal handtools / testgear would probably be a very different matter ... .

 

 

As for locos, rolling stock etc, I understand that the selection offered for the challenge by certain manufacturers left rather a lot to be desired (in a number of cases, it would have been impossible to assemble a credible model train from the selection on offer) - while some of the prices being quoted were reputed to be "interesting", to say the least (especially since everything had to come out of already stretched "team budgets"). Personally, I'd prefer it if the manufacturers were to offer free use of appropriate locos / stock for any future challenges - after all, this would be an excellent opportunity for "product placement" - but, of course, I don't make the rules (and I don't really wish to be seen to be criticizing them) ... .

 

 

So much for what I (or anyone else) might wish to see changed for any future series - there's still rather a lot that they seem to have got about right (the most important bit being the decision to run this challenge in the first place).

 

I'm enjoying this series as a viewer - I strongly suspect I would have enjoyed the series if I had been involved when the cameras rolled. I very much hope I get the chance to enjoy future series, in one capacity or another (and I suspect I'm not alone in this regard).

 

 

Huw.

[Andy Hayter]

I can't really imagine someone asking "You know that bit in the rules, where it says we're only allowed to bring six pre-built items? Well, is it OK if we bring:

* 5 separate rows of terraced houses

* Two warehouses

* Two ships

* A crane

* A viaduct

* A station building

* Several sections of 3D backscene?"

 

Let alone being told "Yes". I suspect there may have been some degree of misunderstanding though I still can't see how someone could understand all that list to constitute "6 items".

 

Put like that you can see why the judges were unimpressed - and indeed I agree with them, but lets look at how a misunderstanding could easily have occurred.

 

Worried about the amount of pre-prepared things we are amassing, I call the production company to clarify  what "6 items" means.

I describe them as

a station

a dockside

a forced perspective town scene

warehousing

a backscene.

A bridge

 

The production team are expert in making programs and not railway modelling and described like that someone might easily say that that sounds fine.

 

As Huw above suggests a simple misunderstanding - one which we as modellers might not have fallen into, or maybe we would.

 

What is an item?

 

I build a platform (an item) and populate it with tens of figures (still an item) and put on the station furniture such as fences, lamps and shelters (still an item?) and a station building (still an item? or maybe two) and a footbridge (how many items now?) and the station forecourt (????) populated with more figures and a host of road vehicules (I give up trying to count).  And I can legitimately describe it as a single item - the station.

 

 

So yes I can see how a misunderstanding could easily have occurred and asked to judge on the above example I could expect at least three answers depending on which of us were asked to judge.  

 

Having now watched the program I thought it was a little cracker that could well attract new entrants to the hobby, despite the jeopardy of timescales that are necessary to make a program interesting to the general public.  But then who among us have not suffered that jeopardy on the run up to an exhibition (especially a first exhibition) and have ended up with some bits that on reflection need a little improvement later?

 

So well done the production team and well done the contestants.

Edited October 8, 2018 by Andy Hayter

[PatB]

Slightly peripherally, I'm mildly puzzled by the fears of some that the program would be "sneery" with regard to railway modellers or railway enthusiasts in general. Whilst my viewing has been by no means comprehensive, particularly over the last 20 years as I've been out of the UK, I can't recall an occasion when a program specifically about a railway or railway modelling subject has been sneery about the participants or subject matter. Dramas* or general "magazine" type programs are a different teapot full of eels, of course (I too cringed at the Endeavour episode Passenger), but we all knew this wasn't either of those.

 

Anyhow, off to see if I can find an online version I can access from outside the UK.

 

*TBH, I'd rather dramas stayed away from anything vaguely specialist or technical as they generally do it teeth grindingly badly whatever the subject.

[James Harrison]

Put like that you can see why the judges were unimpressed - and indeed I agree with them, but lets look at how a misunderstanding could easily have occurred.

 

Worried about the amount of pre-prepared things we are amassing, I call the production company to clarify  what "6 items" means.

I describe them as

a station

a dockside

a forced perspective town scene

warehousing

a backscene.

A bridge

 

The production team are expert in making programs and not railway modelling and described like that someone might easily say that that sounds fine.

 

As Huw above suggests a simple misunderstanding - one which we as modellers might not have fallen into, or maybe we would.

 

What is an item?

 

I build a platform (an item) and populate it with tens of figures (still an item) and put on the station furniture such as fences, lamps and shelters (still an item?) and a station building (still an item? or maybe two) and a footbridge (how many items now?) and the station forecourt (????) populated with more figures and a host of road vehicules (I give up trying to count).  And I can legitimately describe it as a single item - the station.

 

 

So yes I can see how a misunderstanding could easily have occurred and asked to judge on the above example I could expect at least three answers depending on which of us were asked to judge.  

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head-at what point does 'an item' become 'more than one'.  Some people might interpret 'an item' as being, say, a row of houses.  Others might interpret it as a row of houses *and* the road *and* the houses the other side *and* the rear passageway *and*.... especially if it is all built on the same sub-base.  Maybe, if there is a repeat series, clarify the rules.  "Six pre-built scenic items of a maximum area (say) 6 square feet each".  What struck me watching the programme was that whilst two teams brought six pre-built items and still had masses of the layout to build, one brought six pre-built items that between them constituted pretty much the entire layout.  To my mind it was the size of each pre-built item that was the issue.   

[RJS1977]

I think you've hit the nail on the head-at what point does 'an item' become 'more than one'.  Some people might interpret 'an item' as being, say, a row of houses.  Others might interpret it as a row of houses *and* the road *and* the houses the other side *and* the rear passageway *and*.... especially if it is all built on the same sub-base.  Maybe, if there is a repeat series, clarify the rules.  "Six pre-built scenic items of a maximum area (say) 6 square feet each".  What struck me watching the programme was that whilst two teams brought six pre-built items and still had masses of the layout to build, one brought six pre-built items that between them constituted pretty much the entire layout.  To my mind it was the size of each pre-built item that was the issue.   

 

Each row of terraced houses was placed on the layout separately (they weren't all on the same sub-base) so therefore to my mind would constitute separate items. (To borrow the station analogy, if the pre-built station building was already glued to the platform, one item - if they were placed on the layout one after the other, two items.

[Phil Parker]

Picked up from Facebook:

 

Went to the Swansea show today (Saturday. An excellent day out! Continues on Sunday). Overheard a number of conversations within family groups about items seen on trade stands that they had seen used on the programme - especially grass sheets! The show was what it was.

 

So it's doing some good for the trade at least!

 

On another note, if anyone does get involved with Facebook/Twitter etc, discussions, don't forget to point people to RMweb. Our discussion here is an excellent example of the best of the forum, and once they are here, there is a lot of quality modelling for newcomers to discover and you never know how we might inspire people.

[SDJR7F88]

Picked up from Facebook:

 

Went to the Swansea show today (Saturday. An excellent day out! Continues on Sunday). Overheard a number of conversations within family groups about items seen on trade stands that they had seen used on the programme - especially grass sheets! The show was what it was.

 

So it's doing some good for the trade at least!

 

On another note, if anyone does get involved with Facebook/Twitter etc, discussions, don't forget to point people to RMweb. Our discussion here is an excellent example of the best of the forum, and once they are here, there is a lot of quality modelling for newcomers to discover and you never know how we might inspire people.

 

I too was at the Swansea Show and i can confirm this. So many people came over to my 009 WW1 Layout - Amiens 1918. I had a little flyer for the show on the front, which got lots of attention. So many young families saw it and said they lived the show!

One family CAME to the Exhibition because of seeing the show on TV and heard about the exhibition!

Really does show that it done what it was set out to do!

[ianLMS]

Watched it on catch-up on Friday night - thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to the next episode. I've just read all of the opinions on here and am glad to see the majority are positive and see the programme for what it is - harmless fun and a demonstration of modelling to a very tight schedule with limited items. Well done everyone involved!

 

Positives for me: 

1. Scratch-build challenge - great idea as this is what I used to do as a kid - finding bits and bobs around the house/garden/off the street and make things out of it! Great fun and stimulates creativity!! 

2. Time-frame of 24 hours definately provided focus on the task at hand - I think all the teams did a great job considering

3. The format - well produced, not "cheesy" at all and I really enjoyed the animation element to add a bit of fun to it. Difficult to make it "exciting", but for me, it worked. Certainly not over the top or adding too much "jeopordy" in.

4. Choosing the right team/layout as winners - I was glad they took Missenden's error of judgment into consideration, even though the layout looked excellent - was it misinterpretation of the rules, or cheating, either way, they were judged correctly in my opinion. The Longest Day was a great little layout - simple, but very effective. The Jurrasic Park/James Bond layout was a great idea, but I think it was just too complicated to achieve in the time frame. 

 

Not really negatives, more comments:

1. Missed opportunity for advertising - Hornby/Bachmann etc missed a great opportunity for advertising - tv adverts especially coming up to Christmas during a modelling programme in my opinion would have been a great idea.

2. Not long enough - I would have happily watched 90 minutes, giving more chance to see how they did things - even if the extra 30 minutes was optional at a later date/time as an "extra"

3. Not enough back-ground coverage of the people involved, what they did, how they did it, but I understand the reasons keeping it short as most non-modellers would lose interest after 60 minutes.

 

Ian

[SDJR7F88]

Watched it on catch-up on Friday night - thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to the next episode. I've just read all of the opinions on here and am glad to see the majority are positive and see the programme for what it is - harmless fun and a demonstration of modelling to a very tight schedule with limited items. Well done everyone involved!

 

Positives for me: 

1. Scratch-build challenge - great idea as this is what I used to do as a kid - finding bits and bobs around the house/garden/off the street and make things out of it! Great fun and stimulates creativity!! 

2. Time-frame of 24 hours definately provided focus on the task at hand - I think all the teams did a great job considering

3. The format - well produced, not "cheesy" at all and I really enjoyed the animation element to add a bit of fun to it. Difficult to make it "exciting", but for me, it worked. Certainly not over the top or adding too much "jeopordy" in.

4. Choosing the right team/layout as winners - I was glad they took Missenden's error of judgment into consideration, even though the layout looked excellent - was it misinterpretation of the rules, or cheating, either way, they were judged correctly in my opinion. The Longest Day was a great little layout - simple, but very effective. The Jurrasic Park/James Bond layout was a great idea, but I think it was just too complicated to achieve in the time frame. 

 

Not really negatives, more comments:

1. Missed opportunity for advertising - Hornby/Bachmann etc missed a great opportunity for advertising - tv adverts especially coming up to Christmas during a modelling programme in my opinion would have been a great idea.

2. Not long enough - I would have happily watched 90 minutes, giving more chance to see how they did things - even if the extra 30 minutes was optional at a later date/time as an "extra"

3. Not enough back-ground coverage of the people involved, what they did, how they did it, but I understand the reasons keeping it short as most non-modellers would lose interest after 60 minutes.

 

Ian

Hi Ian, sadly they just couldn't get the time to fit it all in. We all had back story's filmed, showing our home layout and modelling projects ect, but they couldnt get the time. However there was something mentioned about creating a few online shorts to follow the prigram, showing these stories.

[HillsideDepot]

<snip>

 

On another note, if anyone does get involved with Facebook/Twitter etc, discussions, don't forget to point people to RMweb. Our discussion here is an excellent example of the best of the forum, and once they are here, there is a lot of quality modelling for newcomers to discover and you never know how we might inspire people.

 

Connected with that comment, out of curiosity, do RMWeb user stats show a reaction? I suppose an increase in "guest" visitors would be one indicator, and an increase in user registrations would be another (more significant) one. Perhaps too early to tell after just one episode, but would be interesting to know.

[PhilJ W]

Perhaps a couple of guest judges would help raise the profile? Maybe Chris Leigh and our own Andy Y.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Perhaps a couple of guest judges would help raise the profile? Maybe Chris Leigh and our own Andy Y.

 

I can't wait for the celebrity version .... Rod Stewart, Roger Daltry etc ....

[Pacific231G]

I can't wait for the celebrity version .... Rod Stewart, Roger Daltry etc ....

I thought railway modelling was what they all do to get away from showbiz     It would be fun though.

[Hobby]

Certainly, in any future series, I could imagine the judges, production company and participants going out of their way to ensure clarity regarding rules and interpretation - I can't see anyone wanting a repeat performance, for whatever reason..

 

I doubt it, this type of TV programme thrive on that sort of "controversy"... Though I think Missenden were being naive in the extreme if they really thought that their pre-builds really only constituted six items, one row of houses one pre-build, two rows, two, etc., etc., and that's being generous... 

 

Having said that their standard of finish of the bit they actually built was so poor that I'd have marked them last just for that, the right team won and the right team finished as runners up. Given a few weeks rather than three days and no "rules" I've no doubt Missenden would have produced the best layout but that wasn't the purpose of the exercise, the Strangers got it right... K.I.S.S.!!

[ardbealach]

Clearly the programme has got even the RMWebbers out on their keyboards with all their responses and comments.  Now ............if there is a second series - would you put yourself forward with what you now know and have seen?  AM