Welcome, and a channel update!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to extend a warm welcome to you all - my first Patreon members! I'm really thrilled to see people joining over the past few days, setting up this page has been a long time coming, and it feels great to have it finally up and running. 

Here is a random behind the scenes picture from last year, taken just as I was about to record the audio for the Southern Cross/North Melbourne diagram video. That's my brother Cian setting up the audio equipment, my script is sitting on a music stand, and there's a totally unrelated inspirational photo hanging on the wall.

So, what am I working on at the moment? This afternoon I'm recording the voiceover for two new videos (I often work on several simultaneously and it's surprising how often I finish two at about the same time). First one is about the way trains use their whistles in Melbourne (and Victoria generally), and how trains are required to whistle here a lot more than most other cities. I'll be making some comparisons between the way it's done in different states, as well as looking at a few other countries, and suggesting how I think the rules could be changed to make more sense here in Victoria. Second video is a talk-through of a collection of photos I took 10 years ago, when I had the rare opportunity to photograph some trains while leaning out the door of a helicopter.. yes, really. 

I also have another big one in the works - I've been working for some time on a very detailed video about the Hurstbridge line, pretty much talking through all its features and some of its history, in geographical order from the city out to Hurstbridge. This started out as something I thought would be really quick as I know this line really well, but.. it's turned out to be almost 40 minutes long! I actually had it almost ready to go about 2 months ago, but a large section of the Hurstbridge line is currently closed with major duplication works taking place: I initially thought I'd have the video up before they finished the duplication, but once I realised that wouldn't happen, I now have to wait until trains start running again so I can take a look at the new stations and trackwork and include them in the video. I also need to re-record a few bits of voiceover to change some statements from future-tense to present-tense! Probably looking at early-mid May for this one now.

As always there are also 4 or 5 videos in the very-early-writing phase, and probably about 50 on my list of 'things I'd like to make a video about but haven't had time yet.' Some key things that will definitely get a video at some stage: Flinders Street viaduct explainer (this would fill the last remaining gap in the series that has explained the Loop, Richmond, and North Melbourne/SCS). An updated Victorian signalling explainer: a few years ago I made a series of signalling explainers that were pretty good, but all silent. I want to make an updated Victorian one with narration, that sets things out a bit more clearly. Also - history of suburban trains in other cities. You know that one I did talking through Melbourne's suburban electric trains? I want to do that for other Australian cities. Everyone was asking for Sydney and Brisbane, but I actually want to do Adelaide first.

So once again, thanks so much for joining - I'm going on holiday next week, but would expect the next video to be up not long after that (not sure which one will get finished first). And of course, you lot will be the first to see it!

Cheers, Martin