I saw a related comment about model railroader youtubers in the Model Railroader magazine thread. Rather than derail that thread, I thought starting another one was a better idea.
I suppose I could search for this, but YouTube is so "current" that things change fast. I've subscribed to some channels that I thought had potential, only to see them disappear after a few videos.
Anyway, YouTube got me back into this hobby. First, the videos of some people's layouts were just awe-inspiring. Then later, other YouTubers built a lot of inspiration in me.
Here's just a sampling of what I've noticed and enjoy, please add to it if you can. I'd like to know who you guys think are really good (granted, there are some bad ones out there).
Model Railroading - Larry Puckett is simply a class act when it comes to model railroading, electronics, and building. I've watched everything he does and wait every Friday (Mondays now, too) for his videos.
SMT Mainline - This young man single-handedly built my enthusiasm for returning to the hobby. He's taught me that you can just have fun running locomotives. On one video, he actually re-wound a motor armature!!. And I thought I was a qualified DIY-er. Wow!
Sam's Trains - From across the pond, so most of the locomotives are unfamiliar, but he is probably the most consistent and professional model railroader on YouTube besides Larry Puckett. He does American locos occasionally, but is often just an amazing source of information about hobby in UK. They are really, really serious about the hobby over there!
Doctor Hobby - a little bit of a diversion (don't look too closely at his layout construction) but this guy has one heck of a lot of passenger trains! That's sort of my interest, too, so his stuff is very entertaining for me. He also diverts to a lot of international models. He recently debuted a couple of Australian diesels with out-of-this-world paint schemes. He may be James Wright's only real competition in terms of how many locomotives he purchases.
JLWII2000 - This is James Wright's channel. He is most like Sam's Trains, but in the US. Not as technical or as consistent as Sam, but there's probably no one anywhere who is purchasing as many locomotives. He is, without a doubt, the go-to YouTuber for video reviews on any of the latest locomotives in the US. Like Sam, he seems like a genuinely nice guy and is a credit to the hobby.
ck7813 - He's my personal favorite, because he focuses almost exclusively on IC/ICG.
mpeterll, Dubai Trains, Chadwick Model Railroad, Steam Powered Radio, Ron's Trains N Things - these guys are great at layout design and layout building.
Ken Patterson, Jennifer E. Kirk, TSG Multimedia - all with very professional video shows, they seem a credit to the hobby and promote all sides.
Fred E Model Railroad and N-Scale Union Pacific Evanston Subdivision - these two get my vote for the absolutely nicest model railroaders I've ever watched. Also - check out Shawn's Trains, too. I'd put him in this same category, with a decidedly bias toward Milwaukee. ;-)
Tom's Trains and Things - got to mention Tom, an absolute whiz with Arduino, but always brings it back to Model Railroading. He's another absolutely committed and consistent model railroader you-tuber.
There's more I could list, but can't go forever. Who do you watch? I'd like to learn about more great YouTubers doing model railroading out there.
