Jenny Kirk runs a youtube channel reviewing/reporting on model railways
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gxnz5EQZZM
Nick and I spoke to her at Ally Pally and she offered to do a review of OOLS.
We suggested to her that she should review it as if it was a new release with no baggage of arguments one way or another. We would ask that if she concludes with a negative review, we have the opportunity to input our experience before the final publication.
I have a dozen or so Mallard sets and would happily lend one and send it but I am not sure that any of my locos work "perfectly" ie faultless green AND red lights, good whistle, trouble-free reversing. I am not sure either that we have a Club loco that performs "perfectly" either. None did at Ally Pally.
I do have several brand new never run locos but I am reluctant to devalue any of those but I will check out my used stock in readiness.
First though, are we happy for her to do a review?
I can confirm that Jenny Kirk and her spouse Zoe will be coming to see us at the summer meet at Cleckheaton.
She will be there on Saturday sometime to have a play with our toys.
No doubt a Vlog will be produced to good effect showing how things OO Live steam should be done so lets welcome them and keep them busy.
I will bring my Mallard Set for her to fathom out as per the original idea.
On the upside,,,,if we introduce her to the club and ‘coach’ her through an initial novice run, much as is done at a show, and then go on to show her the right way and elaborate on the OOLS clubs efforts over the last 10 years or so, No Hornby Bashing allowed!! it will only be a good reference for OO live steam as a concept and she will enthuse about it, possibly raising the profile really well using her Online activities. She regularly communicates to 250-300 online enthusiasts every week and is excellent at promoting top model rail products. Nothing ventured , nothing gained!!!
I disagree! We do not need her endorsement and the risk of an unfavourable review, due to her lack of knowledge!
Any review she can carry out, should be carried out by trying to driving the locos at the exhibition and watching other people doing so!
Also any review would have no effect on Exhibition Organisers offering a stand at exhibitions!
I agree. The controlled environment will help ensure that anything Jenny posts will be from a positive rather than negative viewpoint.
I like this idea a lot, that is, using the summer meet to allow her to start a live steam loco from scratch a la Hornby’s instructions and evaluate the results etc! We can use this time to enlighten her of our club based efforts and new products that allow the pleasurable control of live steam that was only dreamed dreamed of. Also we don’t have to ship a set to her and then ship it back,,,, a lot of money and agro!
In principle I think it good idea to promote live steam, but I would not do it the way you are suggesting Adrian. I think we’re asking for trouble sending her one in a box and leaving her to it.
My suggestion would be to do this in a controlled environment, talking to Nick this morning he tells me she lives not too far from where we plan to hold the summer meet. Invite her to that, show her and let her try more than one loco on the club layout, demonstrate how much better they are on a reasonably sized layout, also demonstrate the advantages of live drive etc..