I found this amazing video while reading David K Smith's excellent blog. What do you think? The model is quite something, and if you follow the other links on his YouTube page there are other amazing things.
More astonishing than the model are the comments from some other YouTube users. A cornucopia of ignorance and intolerance that makes me slightly ashamed. No wonder us railway modellers get a bad press.
The doubters don't even seem to be able to grasp the basic concept of a "model of a model".
David made this model for the hell of it, because he is a superb craftsman and has certainly forgotten more about modelling than I'll ever know. His commenters get involved in debates about whether it is even a train, doesn't qualify as a model railway...and when stumped for words, just type in "dumbass".
Criticising other peoples' work because it's not your bag, because the wheels aren't P4, because it's not run like a real railway- it's all cowardly behaviour. Tribal cage rattling, that is best left to the monkey enclosure at the zoo. Sorry to be so dogmatic, (and monkeyist) but that's the way that I feel. If other peoples' work makes you feel insecure then we're in the three ring circus of intolerance, a bitter world where all the fun gets sucked out of this wonderful hobby.
Equally entertaining, though, are David's patient but firm replies to the misguided folk. Thank goodness, too, that on his video produced for the doubters, there are many supportive comments. Perhaps there's hope for us yet.
David K Smith's blog is here
6 comments:
Iain, I am honored and touched by your wonderful blog post. I appreciate the vote of confidence and the enthusiastic tone of your message, and I appreciate the camaraderie very much. Kind regards, David
P.S. There were far worse comments that have been left over the years. Some of the truly dreadful ones (involving the pointless use of foul language) have been deleted just to keep it relatively civil and youngster-friendly.
A great post Iain, partly for bringing David's highly original and interesting work to the fore, and partly for exposing the nitpickers who take so much pleasure in denigrating the efforts of others.
So many times at exhibitions I over hear comments from spectators who are watching a beautifully built layout say in over loud stage whispers, "That A3 never worked that far north in LNER livery" - you know the sort of thing. I find it annoying and unneccessary.
Those who can model, do so. Those who can't, criticise and pick faults with the efforts of others.
I found this piece informative and thought provoking, and David has gained another follower to see what else he can come up with! Many thanks.
Thanks, David. I just couldn't understand how people could be so negative, given the obvious quality of your work.
Thanks, Martin. Yes, it's almost as if some of the commenters are 12 years old, sitting in their bedrooms tapping away...then I remember I've had some regrettable things said to my face at shows by grown "men" who should know better.
Annoying and unneccessary, as you say, Martin.
Martin, I love your wonderful comment, "Those who can model, do so. Those who can't, criticise and pick faults with the efforts of others." I think I shall use that as a signature line--with proper attribution, of course! Thank you for your kind comments as well.
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