Planet and Rocket @ GCR

Hello

Both Planet and Rocket are at the GCR over the last May, Bank Holiday Weekend (friday till Monday). The time table is now now the GCR web site. Hopefully this will be your chanch to ride in open carriages as both trains pass on the GCR double track. As in 1830s on the Liverpool to Manchester Railway.

 

Regarding that page on the website (http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/Events.aspx?ID=231) ... If there's one thing GUARANTEED to stop me going to a gala, it's an advert like that! I hear enough of that kind of s***e at college, without having to incorporate it into a hobby too! Just who are the GC trying to appeal to with that? Looks like very much the sort of thing that would get a laugh in the mess room, but as advertising goes... As said, it's put me right off!

As an aside, though I'm no expert in advertising, if they really must rip off an engineer in such a disrespectful manner, surely Stephenson would've been more appropriate (if not acceptable)? The end comment pointing out that there are none of Brunell's locos in attendance... I may not be an expert in advertising, but I'm well aware that one thing you absolutely do not do is point out the gaps in your product! The other is to appeal to your target audience, but assuming the GC aren't trying to fill a niche by appealing to that lucrative market, namely black rappers who want to get their mileage behind Furness 20 up, we can probably rule that out too! "I asks ya, is da O4 bling?"

Rant over.

But really...!

 

I would have to agree with Robert Heath No.6.
I’ve watched the advert and i thought it was......complete wee take.
that meant to be serious advert! one way of putting people off than attracting them.

 

Agree 100% with the above posts. It reminds me of the Tosh(iba) ads of a few years ago. Did more harm than good for their sales. They say there's no such thing as bad publicity, but that's not true.

 

Do I detect a sense of humour bypass from some posters?

 

What a dreadful advert for what promises to be a fantastic event.

I understand that advertising to the masses in the 21st century has expanded onto youtube however unless the GCR wants to see a railway full of Gangsters and Scrotes, the advert appeals to NO-ONE and, as many have said above, actually puts me and many others off the event.

Full marks to the GCR for trying to break the 'traditional' advertising methods and this should but applauded, but making one of Britain's finest engineers into an advocator of Scrote Music is akin to shooting yourself in the foot, removing the bullet, and shooting yourself in it again.

But I suppose, any publicity is good publicity - but will I see Daniel Gooch 'popping a cap in a bitches ass' at Loughborough, as this seems to be advertised?

 

I personally just think its a naff advertisement, i thought the one for the winter gala was bad too but nowhere near as bad as this one.

Older people don't seem to find it funny, i'm 21 and i don't find it funny either. Not a sense of humour bypass, my sense of humour is just better than that! :thumb:

But in all fairness if the lineup or timetable doesn't appeal or the weather is planned to be rubbish fair enough, but i can't see why an advert should stop people going.

 

Don't get me worng I bust out laughing.

 

I very much doubt that any "Gangsters" or "Scrotes" know or care that this advert exisits. It's just a joke even if it's a bad one. I think the assumption that an advert like that would actually appeal to "Gangsters and Scrotes" or that everyone who listens to Old Skool is a vandal is probably more offensive and patronising than the advert itself. No wonder they're always putting thier feet on the seats.

It could be worse though, they could have based the event around Jamie Cullum!

Tim

 

I think that was Tynwald's point - it won't appeal to gangsters and scrotes, and it certainly won't appeal to enthusiasts or families! So just who ARE they aiming it at? I know the line's in Leicestershire, but really!

It's the sort of joke that would work well on the mess room wall, but not on the internet for everyone to see... Personally I'm looking forward to the advert for the war weekend, presented by Goebbels, entirely in German, threatening to strangle any jews who turn up!

 

do the GC appect gyros for tickits?
seem to be type of "Gangsters" there advertising to lol
Will their gyro cover the gala fares

 

Exactly. I doubt that we're going to see the GCR full of (being politically correct) 'Old Skool enthusiasts' but who else is the advert targetting? The Lostock and a few smoking barrels idea worked to an extent, but what links does Old Skool have to the GCR, the victorian era or Brunel? I'd understand if the GCR was holding a 1990s event - but Rapping Brunel doesn't work for me i'm afraid.

As said above, will we get other 'curious symbols' for other events? I can't wait for Heavy Metal Santa Specials with Bruce Dickinson on the footplate of 78019 in a Santa Suit......'Mince pies and Shredding available in the brake...'

 

As far as I’m concerned an advert like this is really not the way to attract people to, what otherwise looks like yet another great lineup by the GCR.

As others have already said, what are they trying to get as an audience to this event? Gangster rappers and Rastafarians ? certainly wouldn’t attract me to this event!

Personally looking at the time table i don’t think its that strong either, hourly service (on its normal times), with the odd top and tail train, and rocket/planet running between Quorn and Loughborough infrequently.
Additionally, are people going to be willing to pay extra to ride behind Rocket and Planet?

 

Bonfire night with John Bercow and Michael Martin? Remembrance event with the alzheimer's society? Christmas day trains with Richard Dawkins?

 

Getting back on topic...

Regarding the advert like others I'm not a fan of it. A couple of, in my opinion, better ads for Planet was a collection of pictures put together by some of the volunteers when Planet was there last time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dal7l3CKAk
The second was a clip I stumbled on whilst on the Britains great machines but from a different programme.
http://natgeotv.com/uk/great-railway-adventures/videos/the-planet
Either way the event is promising with the variety of engines visiting and a chance to see Rocket and Planet running longer distances as well. Just hope with all these open cab locomotives the weather holds!

Regards

Duncan

 

another loco added this week

 

Bizarre as the advert is, it still looks like being a great event- with plenty to see and do.
Since the video advert appeared , "Sir Berkeley" has joined the lineup (well wicked!?!) to add an "early generation" industrial to the lineup. This is especially relavant as the loco was used as a contractors loco during the building of the GCR.

"Planet" and her coaches departed MOSI and arrived at the GCR yesterday afternoon. Victorian era Furness No.20 arrived on Monday and I beleive "Rocket" has been at Loughborough for a few days now, meaning both locos dating from William IVs reign are ready to recreate the earliest days of railway travel.