HEY EVERYONE ... SOMETHING NEW THAT I HOPE YOU WILL LIKE!!!

Great idea Alan!!  

Currently I tend to listen to model railroad podcasts  when working on my layout and doing general work around my house.  Some podcasts are extremely interesting, informative while at the same time entertaining, ... while others ( not many ) not so much.   I think with the wide diversity of subject matter ( topics ) on the OGR Forum an OGR podcast will be most welcome,  not only to O gauge enthusiasts but also to the model railroading community at large.  Interviews with experts in electronics, scenery, track, historians, manufactures, pre-war and postwar buffs, Marx, American Flyer, Ives, Kusan etc buffs ... the topics are almost endless ... would be most interesting.  

Being able to listen to an OGR podcast in the car, while riding a bike, working out at the gym, etc.  has immense appeal.  The accessibility of a podcast holds great potential of broadening the hobby base while possibly increasing the interest of anyone thinking of entering the hobby.  

I say ... " GO FOR IT!!"

That's a great idea. Worth giving it a test run.   To cover specific topics would be very interesting and helpful. Maybe a schedule of topics and speakers.  I think a podcast with random topics won't hold the attention or draw the numbers you're looking for.  While a topic specific session would be very popular. I agree we have some very knowledgeble people on here over a wide range of topics, but also bringing in other experts from different fields would be cool. I would think that there would be companies out there who would jump at the chance to feature their products and answer questions. For example:  one of the scenery companies on a "how to" seminar.   

Tom

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

What do you think about an audio version of our forum? Think of it like a podcast where you can hear all the great discussions and tips we share here!  Some of you have contacted me over the years lamenting over your failing eyesight so perhaps this will address that issue along with those of you that want to listen while driving or working.

Great idea Alan.  Sort of like Braille Rail Series. 

I like it.

John

This is interesting. I really like the concept, and I've often wondered why there aren't more podcasts in this hobby.

My only bit of feedback would be that I'd personally like this MORE if it was being done by the voices (and opinions) I've come to appreciate here on the forums. Have you considered asked or having people volunteer to do a weekly podcast that is centered around the 10 most popular or active threads on the forums at the time? I know most of us have day jobs, but I think it would be a great way to extend the community of the forums into an audio-focused format while retaining the voices and personalities that are ultimately the reason we value this place so much!

Well that does sound like a very good idea. I know some of the folks I interact with on FB are visually impaired to a degree and they have stated they use some program to assist them. This makes sense.

Yeah, I find myself generally agreeing with Jeramiah. A few points:

- I suspect audio versions of current forum discussions would be a benefit from the sight-challenged and/or those with spare time during which they can't read text, and such audio versions should be relatively easy to arrange, using current tech tools. However, I suspect most of us would seldom use such an audio version, preferring (or at least being used to) the visual version.

- However, if instead you can come up with a moderated and focused audio podcast, perhaps using some raw material or inspiration from forum discussions as a springboard to more in depth coverage of various topics of interest, I suspect such a product would be welcomed and used by a much wider segment of our fellow hobbyists.

- Of course, the institutional barriers for just about anyone who wants to create a podcast are very, very low, but if OGR takes a role in selecting and supporting a stable of knowledgeable podcasters, I think you might be able to facilitate the creation/extension of a quality "brand" in the hobby, one that would more likely be worth the "ear time" of those of us seeking the wisdom and experience of our fellow hobbyists.

In any event, good luck with the project, and I look forward to seeing what you and OGR are able to put together!

Hmmm... I might have to come out of retirement to participate occasionally. I'll freely admit that I loved the interviewing part of Notch 6, I really miss it sometimes. The kicker was all the editing work, scheduling, etc that went into getting the show together. If someone else was handling that, I'd be happy to moderate every now and then. @OGR CEO-PUBLISHER, drop me a line if you have an interest.

@TomSuperO posted:

That's a great idea. Worth giving it a test run.   To cover specific topics would be very interesting and helpful. Maybe a schedule of topics and speakers.  I think a podcast with random topics won't hold the attention or draw the numbers you're looking for.  While a topic specific session would be very popular. I agree we have some very knowledgeble people on here over a wide range of topics, but also bringing in other experts from different fields would be cool. I would think that there would be companies out there who would jump at the chance to feature their products and answer questions. For example:  one of the scenery companies on a "how to" seminar.   

Tom

I agree with Tom about focused rather than random topics.  I also think it's worth trying as long as OGR doesn't go broke doing so, although I'm not familiar with the economics of podcasting, so I'm not sure how it will enhance the bottom line.  I applaud Alan for thinking creatively.

When I clicked on the sample, I was expecting to hear something that was generated by AI.  If it is AI (can be hard to tell these days), it sounded pretty natural.

Having said that, my experience with model train podcasts isn't particularly positive.  I listen to several podcasts while driving or exercising, but I've never stuck with any that are oriented toward trains or any of my other hobby interests.  What I enjoy about threads on OGR are the pictures and videos which illustrate the subject, and for text-based discussions I frequently stop to refer to a manual or look at a related item in my collection.  Neither of these things really fit with an audio-only format.  I've also noticed that train podcasts often spend a lot of time on inside jokes and pointless blather, although I'm sure that OGR will minimize that sort of thing.

FWIW, I'm retired, so I'm not pressed for time, and I'm on the younger end of the toy train demographic and not dealing with vision loss, and I listen to podcasts on economics, humor, and travel.  Freakonomics and its spin-offs are probably my favorites.

Hm, I’m not excited about the podcast idea. I like music while I’m in the train room, but to each their own.

Rich

@Notch 6 Your interviews and podcast is/was great.  I really enjoyed it.  Hearing from real people like Jack Wheelihan and others was awesome.  I get that it was a difficult endeavor to pursue on the side, but it was enjoyable and informative.  Podcasting is great to do deep dives with experts in a particular field.

I personally have no interest in an AI program regurgitating things it scraped off the website.  I can understand how someone with failing eyesight might find it useful, but when you are listening to something of interest - a real person with a real personality make it enjoyable, entertaining, informative and real.  I'd rather listen to a couple of good personalities discuss a topic I have little to no interest in.  An AI buffer like this, in my humble opinion, takes away from the community aspect that this forum has.  There is a place for AI - but I won't participate in the fall of human interaction ; P  I get it - no one is forcing me to listen to it, but just my two cents. 

I do applaud the effort of OGR to reach people with eye issues, however, I think you could be missing the opportunity to do something more meaningful with real personalities while reaching those same people. 

Thanks, but no thanks.

ALAN FANTASTIC IDEA!  I'm  often doing work where I can't plant my rear end in front of my computer, but I can have the headphones on or the volume turned up. 

Great idea!!!

great idea. I like it.

RAY

Great idea Allen! I think the use of social media is a lost avenue that most train clubs, or forums, do not fully utilize. With the OGR having its YouTube page this idea should increase its popularity ten fold! Not to mention by doing a "podcast" will allow the forum, and the hobby, to reach new commers that are interested in getting started or need help. I cannot tell you all how rewarding it is to be able to help new commers to the hobby through my channel. Overall, I cannot wait to see what happens next with this venture!

When working out I use audiobooks but I need pictures to understand most of the OGR topics. So probably not for me. Others may feel different.

Think it is a great idea but a video to go with the narration would be nice. Who are the narrators?

Alan, congratulations on tapping another way to spread the brand.

Others have already shared excellent suggestions on how to increase the chances of success. I will add...

I can see myself listening, after my imminent knee replacement surgery, during those days I'm walking and not slogging (a really slow version of jogging). During slogging I'm listening to music.

The recurring suggestion of focused topic content is important.

Good luck on this Alan.

Paul

@ChiTown Steve posted:

When working out I use audiobooks but I need pictures to understand most of the OGR topics. So probably not for me. Others may feel different.

I very much agree.  This is such a visually-oriented hobby.  I, too, would prefer to see diagrams, pictures, videos etc. to truly understand what others are offering up in the way of ideas or examples.  

Like others have stated, if I'm in the train room or basement doing something I’m probably listening to music, not a podcast.  There are a million interesting podcasts out there, on a whole host of subjects I’m interested in.  It’s just a matter of time.  I don't have time to listen to them all.

Another consideration.  I think I’d still lean to the online forum because you can consume a topic in bits and pieces as time allows,  depending on your activities that day and what’s going on around you.  While it’s true you can pause and restart a podcast, I think the experience would end up being too choppy.  

That’s not to say it’s not worth exploring.  Most people seem to like the idea so why not give it a try?  

To echo others up the thread, I would enjoy original content on interesting emerging subjects. An AI audible scrape of the forum would not be interesting to me.

I appreciate everyone's thoughtful responses and suggestions.  Part if not most of the reason why we are considering this is to make more people aware of what is being discussed on the forum.  Those that prefer the forum itself with the videos and pictures may also find out about topics that they were not aware of and through the podcast would then visit those topics on the forum and/or YouTube.  It is true, other than super human Gunrunner here on the forum, most of the rest of us can't keep up with everything going on here and may miss out on something we would find interesting. The podcast could fill us in and give us a chance to go to those threads to explore more.  Other than the benefits for those that can't use the forum because of eyesight, etc., the podcast could be used by the more visual folks (like me) to know more about topics we had not visited or even knew about.

Just my thoughts.....

I agree on all counts, Alan. My only ask would be to use real people, folks who know and love the forums, and give them the opportunity to highlight, share, and react to the most popular of the topics. Maybe we find this place because of the content, after all that's what search engines give us, but I'm betting most of us stay for the people. I'd be happy to be involved if that was a possibility.

@J.Dooley posted:

I agree on all counts, Alan. My only ask would be to use real people, folks who know and love the forums, and give them the opportunity to highlight, share, and react to the most popular of the topics. Maybe we find this place because of the content, after all that's what search engines give us, but I'm betting most of us stay for the people. I'd be happy to be involved if that was a possibility.

Jeramiah....I appreciate your offer however I already have hired real people to make this trial podcast.  In addition, we are already highlighting and involving forum members in our new series called "Rail Reels" on the YouTube channel.  I hope you and others have gone there and enjoyed our videos as well as become subscribers!  In addition, several months ago I contacted a few YouTubers who are also members of the forum to discuss some joint efforts.  We shall see if they get back to me.

Awesome. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

How fun... This is very interesting.

Now if you can only get Derek to come on board, his podcast was always top notch

@cbojanower posted:

Now if you can only get Derek to come on board, his podcast was always top notch

While I agree Derek's podcasts are/were great, I think how this podcast has been presented is pretty good too.  Derek was our social media manager but he moved on to his current business so I had to develop new relationships to make what OGR is planning to offer to the readership and forum membership.  Down the road, I may talk with Derek but for now we are all set.

AI-generated podcasts are, well...unique for the next few months before everyone with any written content or just a great set of prompts starts pumping them out.

Google's NotebookLM could be used by anyone to generate a podcast from this forum or, better yet, draw in data from multiple forums to create a mega-cast with a much broader set of topics and opinions.

A non-AI-generated podcast with live interviews, hosts, and personalities would be a great addition to the hobby, something that shares insights, tips & tricks for electrical, modeling, layout design or building or otherwise adds to the collective knowledge.

I know that many people enjoy podcasts, but they’re not my cup of tea. I hope it does happen though for those that like them.