There's a '$Thanks' button on every video - if you wish to click, slide the donation amount to as well if you wish, that would more than kind of you. Thank You! EDIT : Woah, that's a LOT of comments to read and catchup on - thanks everyone !!!
Hi Geoff, thanks for all those past and future years of greate videos. :) I would love to give you a 'Super Thanks' but I know, that there are exorbitant fees associated with it, and I would much rather give that money to you, and not youtube. It would be great if you could setup an alternative like paypal, or ko-fi, which take a much more resonable cut. Thanks
I am fine with recuts of videos on Shorts to act as ads for the real videos. But no actual shift to shorts like NileRed, who I don't even think makes actual videos anymore, which is sad.
My wife and I await your video every week and watch it faithfully on a large screen TV powered by Apple TV. Keep the widescreen videos coming, we love them. There is nothing wrong, however, with occasional shorts in vertical format viewed on our iPhones. Quick learnings in vertical format and deep learnings in horizontal format. Next time you’re in New York, give us a ring. Happy to hold your camera while you ride the subway.
Tik Tok and Shorts are like a bag of crisps when you’re hungry - a quick fix but not very filling. With You Tube I can learn, laugh, cry, be amazed or shocked. Your channel is the best, when I see a notification that you’ve got a new video, I can’t wait to watch it. BUT I have to be in the right place - you have something to tell me and I need to be able to listen to what you have to say. Thank you for entertaining and teaching me for the past however many years I’ve been following you. Long may it continue. 🙏🙏🙏
maybe the best analogy and you might be better of with a filling meal also, you to often have the chance to get a nasty thing you hate but still getting served by the dummy algorythem
Sums it up perfectly. There are a lot of things you just can't get across in a short video. And while there are a lot of TH-cam videos that have stayed with me in one way or other there are hardly any Reels or Shorts i really remember watching.
@@andymerrett Maybe. I did hear of a photographer who, a year or two back, was trying to get a good shot of a heritage steam train from a position that might have have suited a vertical image better than a widescreen shot. Unfortunately it ended badly for the photographer because he forgot to get out of the train's way when it approached.
You've done excellent work and it's been wonderful to watch your style evolve and grow as you've found yourself as an artist. I look forward to what you do next, whatever form that takes. I am also in the large screen camp. I watch mostly 15+ minute content as if it were on-demand TV.
I am not even that interested in trains, but just seeing your excitement about them makes these videos worth to watch (and I also am able to learn a lot of interesting things). Thanks to you I knew my way around the Tube last summer, without every having been on it. I also recognized places from your videos when visiting London during my holidays. You are genuinely such an inspiring human beeing and I'd love to see a lot more videos from you
same for me. I have no actual reason to know that much about British rail infra. I just like how Geoff goes all in. also its even when exiting. a calm video. the video shots are long enough to get you there.
Same. I’m not much of a train enthusiast, don’t even live in the UK, and have been to London maybe four or five times in my life. But Geoff‘s enthusiasm is so contagious that I enjoy watching his videos nevertheless.
Mate, I am a 68 year old Aussie who has watched you since your Secrets of the Canals days. I watch on our TV by Chromecast from my phone. Stay with your current format please. We love your in-depth videos. Stay well and look after yourself!
Geoff, I'm one of those who line up my subscribers' TH-cam videos every evening to watch on my big TV (although I came scurrying to my laptop to send you this.) You have been a breath of fresh air and long may you continue being so. Keep well, and keep travelling 🤩
not just that geoff is basically old youtube (not in terms of doing it long term) he likes making videos and youtube is convenient to upload on he's not a youtuber he's a person on youtube in the compliment kinda way of saying it he has passion for trains we are just along for the ride instead of him doing it for the views.
Thanks Geoff, another "please not" to shorts and vertical here. If it is still something that you feel good about, please keep up the great work and quality and longer documentaries, I will absolutely watch these. They're great! Thanks a lot 😊
I’m only 14 but I also dislike Shorts and TikTok. I always cringe inside when I see what my younger relatives watch on there. Or maybe I’m just weird because a lot of people my age are addicted to short form content.
Agreed. I'm in favor of documentary style... I neither care for shorts nor Tik-Tok. And at my age (I'm a senior citizen) I don't care for wobbly shots or anything that makes me dizzy!
Glad to read that you’re not quitting TH-cam, Geoff! Having been an avid viewer of your videos for the past 10 years or so, you’ve always made superb, engaging and entertaining content that is not only informative but also genuinely uplifting - your videos have helped me through some dark periods in the past few years, so I’m delighted to be able to pay that back to you a little. In answer to the question posed in the video itself, I’m definitely much more a fan of the long-form, documentary style of video and I am very much looking forward to more of these from you in future - keep up the amazing work.
As a Swede I would just like a zoom-out when you're showing a map of where you are. I have no idea where "Quibble-Thurnstow" station is, even if you tell me it's somewhere in the neighbourhood of "Whirple-Tooting"... I love your work, and I don't like shorts. They're vertical, and my screen isn't. All the best from a lovely part of Sweden.
As a Dane, I have to keep Google maps open in the other window to find out where we are at with Geoff and Jago's (et al) videos, because if it's not around the area near the Thames I visited I have absolutely no clue where it is
Honestly Geoff, please keep up the great work. I find your videos inspiring, engaging and informative. I recently did my own trip inspired by what you do when in London recently - I travelled the whole of the Victoria Line "ticking off" and photographing each mural behind the benches. Something I wouldn't think of doing without taking partial inspiration from your videos
You helped me realise the thing i loved was not really trains but train *infrastructure* and oddities and the last 7 years i watched you have helped build a real love and appreciation. In a funny way you changed my life a bit. That's cool in my books.
I've found the audience for my shorts is almost completely separate to my long form audience - so in that regard it does help a channel reach a larger audience, but I'm not sure that it really leads to many of those viewers coming through and watching the 'proper' content. While my shorts get a lot of views, the quality of engagement on long form videos is much higher, and I think despite what we might think, there are a lot of young people hungry for longer form content - I think there will always be a place for it. Love your longer documentary style stuff Geoff. ❤️
the biggest issue as a user is that. it's very easy to go from standard TH-cam to the TH-cam short. (often one klick next to a video). For a shorts to go to standard. takes like 4 steps. 1 stop the short. 2 go to the about button of said short. 3 click on the name of the account. 4 navigate from there home page to whatever video you might like to see. So you really must want to do that all if you care. in not well to bad.
The longer videos have to be more within what the viewer actually are interested in, or have a title / preview picture that really attracts viewers. I think it was a suggestion of one of your videos about one of the lines that made me start watching your channel. Sorter videos are ok to watch even if they aren't the primary choice, as a sort of filler content, after running out of the videos that would be most desirable to watch. I honestly think that many creators doing videos that are 5-15 minutes long, maybe stretching it to 20 minutes, are in this filler content segment and would struggle to get a decent viewership if the videos were just longer without also making the videos more desirable to watch. I think that these videos can be compared with the programs that was shown after some really popular TV program back in the days of linear television. Or for that sake "the other less great cartoon" that was on a VHS/DVD with a compilation of cartoons, or for that sake the not so great filler content tunes that filled up more than half of every LP/CD back in the days of physical audio media. Also: It really that much more work to create longer videos if counting work per created minutes and seconds of video? I get that more facts probably has to be researched and double checked and whatnot, but still? And also: To any creator out there reading this: The most important technical thing is to have good audio quality. Speech has to be intelligible. This is way more important than picture quality unless the video is especially visual. The second most important thing which I would say TH-cam creators have mastered way better than the traditional TV industry is that the director, editor and camera operator need to have some interest in / skills in whatever the video is about. I would say that TH-cam creators have shown that the traditional TV industry totally missed the concept of edutainment. Either there was a public sector budget for educational videos that usually were rather boring, or a TV show was not educational even if it could easily have been. The exception was kind of some TV shows intended at children. I can't imagine how the traditional TV industry world wide could had fully missed that there are loads of adults who are keen on learning new things if it's also somewhat entertaining to watch. Like I will never have any actual use for knowing about how railway lines are in Melbourne as I live on the opposite end of the globe, but I still like to watch Taitset videos showing how lines including switches, platforms and whatnot are used, and at times let my mind drift away thinking about if there would be a more efficient way to do things.
@@sirBrouwer unless you're subscribed to said channel, then it's only two taps to jump to the channel (since shorts aren't meant for devices where you click on things), but that said - in the mobile apps, whether it's on a phone or tablet, it's much harder to navigate and use TH-cam in general and you really need to know how to find what you're looking for.
I'm a casual viewer of this channel, and here's how I see these questions: 1) I don't use TikTok and don't intend to. I have rarely watched a TH-cam Short and don't intend to do that more either. 2) I watch TH-cam on my computer at home. I no longer watch television, so I suppose TH-cam has fully replaced it. I never watch TH-cam on my phone. (Strictly music when I'm out.) 3) Were I a creator, the biggest question for me would be: what do I want to add to the world? what's my legacy? Thousands of TikToks will never amount to anything, as they barely matter beyond the moment they're made. But longer films will be valued for years, especially those which document the time I am working.
I've only been watching for a couple of years - but I adore the long form content - I've only really recently got into trains and the railway in general but games and your content has helped me appreciate it. I do enjoy some short from content - but I tend to spend my evenings watching youtube as a streaming service - I have a number of educational videos as well as watching some gaming videos - and on occasion watch video essays too so I'm happy to chip in and help out with these documentaries you want to make. If you don't want to make short form - don't feel forced to. It does bring in a new audience but with your rail content I feel like long form is better and shorts will just take up too much time to pander to an audience who want quick dopamine hits and not informative content. TL;DR keep up the good work Geoff - I'm hoping to visit all the tube stations at least once myself thanks to your inspiration
Geoff, you've done a bang up job with your channel. It's such a pleasure to come along on your trips, whether it be abandoned stations or bin bags. Please don't give up on your style and attention to detail. If you decide to stick around, I know your viewership will follow you. I, for one, would be keen to seeing what you can do with a longer documentary (see also: Beau Miles' style). Resist the vertical video plague and stick to your guns. But above all else, don't feel beholden -- if you want to take a break, or even hang up your channel, we support and applaud you. Well done mate. 🛤
Hey Geoff. My uncle was a high-up person (not sure of his exact title) but at the time of his death he was in charge of level crossings for Network Rail (again, I think. He was never very talkative about his work). His name was Kevin Boyd. He died in 2020 unfortunately of MS, of course a horrible, horrible disease. But he had always loved trains and loved working for the railway, and he also used to love your videos, both individually and your older ones for The Londonist. I only became a fan of trains and a railfan after his passing, about 2 years ago. But I would have loved to talk with him about his work and the trains and how the whole network operates. But this is my thanks to you, from myself and my late uncle, for the joy you brought to us and for helping so many people who perhaps often feel lonely in this community, for always sharing your love of trains with us. Whatever your future is, Geoff, whatever videos you want to make or end up making, you have an impact on so many different people. You have reached so many and make this rather incredible and really quite complicated topic of trains and railways and transport so open and available for all. Thank you!
You make videos about a niche subject that a lot of us railfans and transport enthusiasts really enjoy. You know that already. I'm a huge fan of your channel and when you upload because I'm in the US it's perfect for me because I'm getting up in the morning, having my breakfast and coffee and watch your new video before getting ready for work. So keep up the great work you're super awesome!
Thanks Geoff for your amazing videos! Please don't change the format of your videos. I personally like them as they are and i really enjoy watching them, sometimes more than once.
Stick to what you do Geoff as long as you are personally enjoying it. I'm not a fan of shorts, which are just YT's response to TikTok. YT is now like a streaming service, I probably watch it just as much as normal TV and other streaming services. I prefer longer videos, especially when professionally researched and produced like yours (and I really appreciate the effort you put in!). Many of the channels I subscribe to are like yours - quality content from an informed person with good production levels.
Geoff, your videos since the Londonist days has inspired a whole subculture of British transport enthusiasts to produce their own channels and communities and your down to earth presenting style has been so influential over the years. Please do continue to be a pillar of the community in whatever way you want it to be! Your viewers are loyal :) It feels quite poignant you doing this video in Chislehurst and Petts Wood because for me, I grew up in Chislehurst and my love for trains was fuelled by doing the exact same walk you do here over those three bridges as a child! Finding your videos later in my life only fuelled my passion more. This feels very much like a full circle moment! Keep doing what you’re doing and you have been as influential to my life as you have done to so many other people :)
Geoff, I love the long form video format. Your enthusiasm for the subject matter - whatever it is - has kept me coming back for years. Please keep up the good work!
I rarely watch shorts myself. And when I do, a.) they're by someone I'm already subscribed to for longer-format stuff, and b.) it's almost always on my desktop computer, with the URL edited to put it in the regular video player (replace "shorts/" with "watch?v="). I do _not_ like the auto-looping shorts player, and wish TH-cam had a setting to always play them in the regular video player. As for TH-cam in general, I mostly watch on my desktop computer, often with the screen angled so I can watch from bed, or with my computer chair leaned back. Sometimes I'll watch on my phone, but that's mostly in bed or elsewhere at home, or out of the house at places with trustworthy wifi, since I don't have unlimited data. I've watched on the living room TV before too, with my phone controlling it. But it's been a while, and sometimes software updates (to my phone or the TV) will break it for a while. Plus often others in the house are watching TV there. Overall, TH-cam control and commenting work best on my computer, and watching from bed is as comfortable as watching from the couch -- even if my monitor fills less of my eyes than the TV does.
Whilst it can seem logical to try and "keep with the times" i.e., converting to making TikToks or hyper fast-paced content.. sure it may allow for you to keep making videos for a longer time. But if it's not what you enjoy making, then it will become such a slog. I've had multiple other TH-cam channels in the past of various topics and styles and they just never ended up gelling with me. Simply put, do what you enjoy and that gives you the most fulfillment! There will always be an audience for it somewhere! PS: I, and quite a lot of people I know, make an active effort to *not* watch Shorts. Hate em!
My main issue with shorts is the portrait format and how they do not support channel notifications (they wont appear in the notification feed even if you've enabled them for the channel) and I simply do not have the time or memory to go checking every channel for potential new shorts. I also generally dislike short-form content. However it can occasionally be done well (but not in portrait shorts / tiktok-style format!)
Thank you for not quitting. I'm a disabled pensioner, so can't afford TikTok, Patreon and other stuff. I watch on my PC at home, although I could stream on the TV if it were easier to use. Moving a cursor to pick letters is time consuming. I'm in Doncaster, can see platform 0 from the bathroom window so I'm happy with quirky stuff like that. I'm subscribed, don't want to miss anything, and have watched as many of your video's as I can find. Strange that I enjoy London Underground things so much, but I do. I find your videos have more entertainment value than real TV ones, no going back over old stuff all the time for example. You vary your content, that keeps me glued, and you must have scratched your head several times with thinking up things to feature. I've been watchi8ng you (not in a creepy way!) since Londonist days. Keep it up. Oh, and I'm not a fan of shorts either. I've got a wide screen monitor!
Hi @Gordon57 - Just a suggestion. Most (I believe) TV sets allow the use of a PC keyboard, possibly a wireless one with a dongle, or get a wired keyboard with an extension USB cable. Makes it a lot easier to type words in. My other recommendation is log into your Google account on both the TV and your computer. Then, after watching/finding a video on the PC, you can use the 'history' button on the youtube TV App to watch the same video there. Hope this makes sense. Cheers from new zealand. Fred :)
Just another suggestion, you can also control the YT app on your TV from your phone - try the button to the left of the notification button in the phone app (which is next to the search button). If your TV doesn't come up automatically, try linking with TV code, this code can be found somewhere in the TV app (or press Learn More for more help). Once this is enabled, you can search and browse videos like normal. When you play a video, it automatically starts playing on your TV! You can even create a queue of videos like on desktop.
@@Schobbish It's actually easier to stay on the PC. I have a 21" wide screen monitor, so can probably see things better anyway. Thanks for the tip though.
I am a 70 year old train spotter/enthusiast. Your videos are a necessary part of my interest. I watch on my computer. With my wife we watch on television. Both, short informative features and longer documentary style viewing are attracting us. Potentially I am indicating stay as you are.
Several years ago TH-cam replaced broadcast TV for me (e.g watching on a TV instead of sky or cable) Each evening after work, I catch up on the days uploads, some channels I save for a particular day, I like to save travel videos for Sunday am. Really enjoy your content, plus you have introduced me to many other TH-camrs via your content which are now also part of my TH-cam subs / watch list.
I find that I watch far more TH-cam than broadcast TV now, and the vast majority of it is the longer format. I find that shorts seem to be disposable and light weight. They have their place, embedded into facebook etc and cat videos! Geoff thanks for all you do and for educating and entertaining me, so often about things I had no idea I could be entertained by!
I have left several donations on this channel, something I never do on any other channel. And that’s because I feel your channel is absolutely deserving of the upmost support possible. And that’s with your current format, on TH-cam. Personally, even at 21, I don’t get the whole ‘shorts’/TikTok craze, and while I understand the idea of moving with the times I wanted to show that there are plenty of us that enjoy your TH-cam videos. I have seen many comments here that I agree with, with the note about how shorts are ‘like a bag of crisps when you’re hungry that aren’t at all filling’ being one that is unbelievably true! Your videos are so superbly informative and presented, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. So for me, personally, the ways things are as good as they can be. So thanks again, Geoff!
It’s quality! Your TH-cams are quality, well crafted, appropriate paced, informative, productions. There’s another saying, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’! Shorts/Reels/TikTok (not that I have that) are for low concentration/distraction watching on an iPhone while waiting for a train or bus, it’s not quality consumption to learn something. Stay with quality horizontal/landscape wide screen productions. And yes, and here’s another quote, ‘if you want to be all things to all people’, and you have the time or want to butcher-up some longer TH-cams as a sub-edit, do the Shorts/Reels/TikTok as well!
Happy to hear you are not quitting - my son (7) would have been devastated - he has been watching you videos since he was 4. We would happily support which ever direction you decide on but my son has loved your vlog style videos as he always feels like he is on a train adventure with you and learns so much that way! Thanks Geoff!
What you do is perfect Geoff (he says clutching his new London Railway Atlas). We watch you on the TV whilst were having our dinner, and save the longform videos for weekend evenings. Like many, I'm still in awe of your America Road trip video. That damn algorithm and it's shorts is horrible, and what you do (incredibly well) is just right. It's always a happy day when a new video pops up. Keep being you x
Thanks! Love your videos, Geoff! I definitely watch YT as a streaming service, on my AppleTV. I watch it more than I watch any other streaming service, because the videos on YT, like yours, are more interesting, personal and unique than elsewhere. Your work in particular is among my absolute favorites, I’ve been watching you for years and I hope you can continue! I’m a documentary filmmaker and I find your work incredibly inspiring. I made a film some years ago that happened to have the title “Train Keeps A Rolling”, it was about a musician who had a difficult life and he wrote a song with that title, and I think it applies to you, too. I look forward to riding your train, hopefully to many more stations!
Thanks for making brilliant content over the years, I don't watch every video nor do i watch the super regularly but i always find myself back here loving your videos. To answer your question, I love longer videos, documentary style, video essays, anything going indepth into a topic i absolutley love. Keep on making excelent videos
Thanks Geoff for all your hard work! I believe there’s space for a lot of content creators that do vertical videos on all other platforms, but I do come to your channel casted on the TV at weekends to catch up on your adventures - keep up what you’re doing!
Geoff please don't ever quit TH-cam, your the most famous Transport TH-camr in the world and thats an amazing title, you prouduce the best train videos ever and I absolutely love your documentary style videos, those types of videos are so entertaining and you are very good at them, I love you so much you are the best youtuber ever. You are the reason I got ao interested into trains and I couldn't thank you enough, Its such a great thing to be in such a lovely community and it means the world to me, I know TH-cam shorts and tiktok is very popular nowadays but its not gonna stop you from making your great videos, we still want them and we will always watch you no matter what. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks. I love your documentary style, and close looks. My TH-cam time tends to be either on the commute to and from work, or in the evening when I look for entertainment. Shorts videos don't really appeal, and I don't have TikTok. I don't live in the UK, so the fact you explain all the uniqueness and provide the detail helps me understand.
I enjoy watching your videos! I like those visits to depot and new stations. Interviewing locals about their railways stories could be interesting. Hoping to watch more of your great contents! Cheers!
Love longer form, although I don't mind the occasional whimsical wonky angle. Comments section of youtube is a hard place to get into a discussion on monetization models, so I guess I'd ask "do the short forms mentioned pay you back the time you'd have to put into them?" Love your work. You make trains fun....and I discovered so much more of London because of you. Thanks.
I love your longer videos, Geoff. Every so often I will watch your USA Roadtrip 2022. That video was really moving and we don't get many videos like that online anymore.
I hate the shorts. Never even click on them. I often sit down of an evening with my laptop or TV and watch the latest from the video channels I like, and they tend to be videos that are at least 10 minutes, normally 15-20 mins, long. There are only maybe a dozen channels I go back to again and again. Yours is obviously one even if I am not a massive train nerd simply because they are now SO well done. Mini works of art.
I watch your videos because I love your enthusiasm and point of view on trains, as well as your personality - anybody can make a video on trains but you make it interesting and engaging, and I like you are trying new and different formats and styles. Also your videos have a calming quality to them, and the time flows by extremely quickly because they are so great and well-made. I will support you whatever direction you take. Big thank you for the videos over the years!
To quote a certain Geoff Marshall: "I am not a TH-camr, I make videos and put them on TH-cam." I think you should stick with your own personal style. The viewers just know whether you are making videos form the hart or with your purse in mind. Do you go with a trend (short & vertical) or do you stick with your own style or are you among the ones that are setting a new trend towards the more slow and in depth videos? I would prefer the last. I have been watching your videos since the Tube Challange videos. You truly developed your style of video making. I usually watch them om my Ipad, occasionally on TV. Horizontal and long as I prefer, and I use YT as a streaming service. Watching videos for an hour or two, and I would have no problem paying for it as I am a Patreon for some other chanels.
Geoff, I'm now 43 and tottally housebound. I am mad about trains, buses n coaches. Plus I love London. In my younger days I would ramdomly travel from Birmingham to London once a week at least! I used to travel all over London. Now I can't do any of that. I have to rely on you tube to see new trains, new routes, behind the scenes and buses and coaches. So I cannot state how important your channel is to me. I've watched since Londonist days. My favourite non train video was your canals of London video where you found a barge turned in to a Book shop. I'm a book lover so that's the reason I forget. Different style of videos makes no difference but not a fan of shorts. Tick toc is for the younger ones not for me! I can barely use X (twitter). I still watch your all the station videos to this day. It all helps keep me sane. Your amazing at what you do. You've made a success out of you tube which contary to some younger people views is not an easy to make a success and requires hours and hours of pain staking work. Please don't give up. There are many like me who can no longer travel and rely on social media inc you tube to feed our love of trains and buses. Don't give up now you've worked so hard to get to this point. In answer to your question, my partner and I watch you tube on our telly while we eat then at night or early morning watch it on our phones. My partner hates shorts as well. Despite my partner having no intetest in trains etc she watches your videos. Not just because I want to. She genuinely loves your videos. Wishing you every success. If you do decide on membership or paetron I would join. I will donate when I can for thanks button. All the Geoff. Thank you for all you do for London and the transport of the UK.
Thanks Geoff for years of great content (I've been watching your videos since the Londonist days). Please keep up the long format videos. I am one of those who watch via my Apple TV. The first thing that I do when I sit down to watch TV is to catch up on new content from my TH-cam subscriptions.
Carry on just as you are Geoff! No shorts, no TikTok. And looking forward to your longer format videos. I use all forms to view videos - iPad, phone, desktop and TV.
Thanks for your video Geoff. I'm a man in my late 50s who has a fondness for trains and public transport. I'm not sure if I'm a typical viewer, but increasingly, over the years, I've been watching TH-cam videos like yours on my TV ( on the TV app), rather than watching mainstream TV or indeed other streaming services. I do sometimes watch TH-cam on my iPad in bed. I prefer longer videos (definitely not shorts or Tik Tocs). Although I do like your more fun journeys, visits, challenges and races. Keep up the fantastic work, I always enjoy watching your videos when they drop. Take care and thanks again.
I'm the same with using it more than Netflex/Prime/Disney+, it's nice to sit down in the evening and catch up with the latest videos. Mind you, I have just turned 53!
Just spent four days in London - last time I was there the Olympics were on. I spent a lot of time on the underground and I was sooooo excited, "I've seen this place in a Geoff video!". My daughter also took her first underground journey and was an immediate convert; she properly geeked out about it, "This is so cool!!!". Love the long videos Geoff.
We watch TH-cam almost every night at dinner - and we’ve been following your channel closely since the beginning of pandemic, it’s one of our favorites! We watch it on TV (with an AppleTV) most of the time. I like to watch the occasional short but I definitely don’t want them taking over. Greetings from Massachusetts USA, where we havent been on the London 12 years or so (though I was on ScotRail last year for a mercifully short time).
I feel like TH-cam Shorts are ruining what makes TH-cam a place to watch videos. From 2005 - 2020 there were only long form videos and that's what made TH-cam the way it was, if you wanted short form content you would go to TikTok since it was made to do so. But now there's short form content on TH-cam which also doesn't make any sense, like why would you want short form content on a platform that's known for making video at least up to 3 or 5 minutes long? It just doesn't add up
Supporting the great work you do, keep bringing out the great breath of fresh air & relaxing train content. Long time supporters since All the stations, I hope to witness more of your great documentaries.
Thanks for all the content over the years Geoff! I’ve got to say I see shorts/reels as throwaway content to watch in bed or on the bog 5 minutes. Vlog style for me all the way. Get your tea/coffee/beer and hunker down to respond to the yearning of nerdy information and random tidbits. Not even remotely close for me!
Wow! Alex,thanks. That’s incredibly kind of you - thank you so much. Good to know your insight too into what sort of content you prefer too, many thanks!
Well, this viewer definitely enjoys your longer form documentary style. I like the variety your channel offers too. I rarely watch shorts. I hope you'll be here doing your thing for a long time yet. I really enjoy your channel.
I donˋt live in the UK and I am a German living in the German countryside 30 km away from the next train station but I love your videos. When I am in London, which I am rather often, I love using the tube and buses and quite often I get off at stations that you introduced in your videos. I also enjoy the vibrant way in which you present the London Underground and its more than 150 years of history. I do not need Shorts and I am more than happy with the 15 to 30 min videos you produce. I watch them on my i- Pad back home on my sofa and think of my next trip across the Channel. Keep on going Geoff.😊
love your content. love your styles. thanks so much for sharing these thoughts. can't we have wonky shots in long-form documentaries? may be imagining it but the picture quality looked amazing for your serious monologue. different lens? different lighting? maybe i just appreciate the thoughtful seriousness :-)
I stumbled across your channel by accident a few years back with Londonist and am in no way a train enthusiast but I have loved watching your videos, your style is perfectly suited to what you do and your passion and enthusiasm shine through in a way that makes the videos very interesting and enjoyable. It’s as accessible for people like me as it is people in the industry. Dare I say you’ve maybe overthought things, you have built up a loyal following who love what you do and how you do it. Don’t doubt a thing! TH-cam would be worse off without you!
Like @obroni said don’t stop the documentary style. I too am an adult with an attention span and into my mid 60’s still have a craving for learning and finding out the myriad facts figures explainations and history lessons you come up with. Oh and kudos to you for having the confidence and committment to making this your career and income out of something fully enjoy and have a passion for.
I'm Irish, love trains and London itself so seeing someone like Geoff after almost almost having an anger attack on the rarity on train and tube videos on TH-cam is so relieving that when I saw "Let's Quit" I almost died
Geoff, the passion you put and show in each one of your videos, combined with your extensive videomaker knowledge always makes for uniquely amazing content. Definitely addicted to your videos, hoping one day you'll come to discover my home country's rails! Cheers from Italy!
Some of us have a greater attention span it seems! I use TH-cam as a streaming service on my TV :) I don't want shorts, I intentionally avoid them. Much rather longer form content
1. Thanks! Please carry on as you are. Your videos are one of the highlights in this mish mash smorgasbord that is TH-cam. 2. My kids watch TH-cam on TV as another TV streaming service. 3. I watch it on my phone but also use it for research for work. The other day I was writing an article for my company's LinkedIn site about Platform 0. How many in GB? Geoff will know, was my first thought! 4. I think being entertained by shorts and tiktok will be a fad like many things over the years (remember when Facebook made you start with "Geoff is..." and you "poked" people). Deep level content will always have a place in entertainment and research.
I've always preferred the longer form videos because it reminds me of typical TV shows. I use TH-cam as a replacement of "normal" TV as it gives me the option to choose my entertainment as opposed to be dictated to by a schedule
There's a '$Thanks' button on every video - if you wish to click, slide the donation amount to as well if you wish, that would more than kind of you. Thank You!
EDIT : Woah, that's a LOT of comments to read and catchup on - thanks everyone !!!
2 Euro for Tee.
The TV app has Superthanks
Hi Geoff, thanks for all those past and future years of greate videos. :)
I would love to give you a 'Super Thanks' but I know, that there are exorbitant fees associated with it, and I would much rather give that money to you, and not youtube.
It would be great if you could setup an alternative like paypal, or ko-fi, which take a much more resonable cut.
Thanks
Please don't quit TH-cam Geoff. We all love you and your videos
typo... it's TH-cam, not TH-cam :)
Best youtube channel about trains. Don't quit youtube.😢
And don’t change your long format style!
Agreed
He’s not going to quit you tube he said
Should he ever quit , at least we still Jen on the move 🤔
I am fine with recuts of videos on Shorts to act as ads for the real videos. But no actual shift to shorts like NileRed, who I don't even think makes actual videos anymore, which is sad.
The moment we get trains that are higher than they are long is the moment to switch from landscape to portrait mode.
ha! made le lol. and very kind, thank you!
Spot on
My wife and I await your video every week and watch it faithfully on a large screen TV powered by Apple TV. Keep the widescreen videos coming, we love them. There is nothing wrong, however, with occasional shorts in vertical format viewed on our iPhones. Quick learnings in vertical format and deep learnings in horizontal format. Next time you’re in New York, give us a ring. Happy to hold your camera while you ride the subway.
This deserves a REPLY from Geoff! Maybe he missed it?!
Tik Tok and Shorts are like a bag of crisps when you’re hungry - a quick fix but not very filling.
With You Tube I can learn, laugh, cry, be amazed or shocked.
Your channel is the best, when I see a notification that you’ve got a new video, I can’t wait to watch it. BUT I have to be in the right place - you have something to tell me and I need to be able to listen to what you have to say.
Thank you for entertaining and teaching me for the past however many years I’ve been following you. Long may it continue. 🙏🙏🙏
maybe the best analogy and you might be better of with a filling meal
also, you to often have the chance to get a nasty thing you hate but still getting served by the dummy algorythem
That's actually a really good analogy
Geoff’s videos are better suited to a longer format. It all depends on the audience and the content creator.
Sums it up perfectly. There are a lot of things you just can't get across in a short video. And while there are a lot of TH-cam videos that have stayed with me in one way or other there are hardly any Reels or Shorts i really remember watching.
Hard to think of a subject less suited to vertical videos than trains, to be fair.
Agreed. I dislike portrait mode videos on a platform better suited to landscape mode. (Pun accidental)
Videos of the horizon? :)
Well, Stephenson's Rocket was quite vertical, but that's about it.
@@andymerrett Maybe. I did hear of a photographer who, a year or two back, was trying to get a good shot of a heritage steam train from a position that might have have suited a vertical image better than a widescreen shot. Unfortunately it ended badly for the photographer because he forgot to get out of the train's way when it approached.
Well, funiculars are really suited to vertical videos :D
You've done excellent work and it's been wonderful to watch your style evolve and grow as you've found yourself as an artist. I look forward to what you do next, whatever form that takes.
I am also in the large screen camp. I watch mostly 15+ minute content as if it were on-demand TV.
JHON ... *most* kind, thank you! thank you so much.
Please. No Tik Toks. No shorts. Your knowledge and enthusiasm are what I’m/we’re here for.
Agreed!
Cheers to that, mate.
Do shorts to promote long form video's, the content for them are a by product of your long form videos.
I am not even that interested in trains, but just seeing your excitement about them makes these videos worth to watch (and I also am able to learn a lot of interesting things). Thanks to you I knew my way around the Tube last summer, without every having been on it. I also recognized places from your videos when visiting London during my holidays. You are genuinely such an inspiring human beeing and I'd love to see a lot more videos from you
ah, that's lovely - thank you. most kind!
I`m in this category too.
same for me. I have no actual reason to know that much about British rail infra. I just like how Geoff goes all in.
also its even when exiting. a calm video. the video shots are long enough to get you there.
Same. I’m not much of a train enthusiast, don’t even live in the UK, and have been to London maybe four or five times in my life. But Geoff‘s enthusiasm is so contagious that I enjoy watching his videos nevertheless.
Mate, I am a 68 year old Aussie who has watched you since your Secrets of the Canals days. I watch on our TV by Chromecast from my phone. Stay with your current format please. We love your in-depth videos. Stay well and look after yourself!
Geoff, I'm one of those who line up my subscribers' TH-cam videos every evening to watch on my big TV (although I came scurrying to my laptop to send you this.) You have been a breath of fresh air and long may you continue being so. Keep well, and keep travelling 🤩
thanks Darren! very kind, and appreciated.
@@geofftech2I have been a subscriber of you since you were on londonist more than 10 years ago now.
Never give up you are awesome Geoff
You just proved that you can be a successful TH-camr without acting like you know how to operate a camera and fancy tricks in post.
not just that geoff is basically old youtube (not in terms of doing it long term) he likes making videos and youtube is convenient to upload on he's not a youtuber he's a person on youtube in the compliment kinda way of saying it he has passion for trains we are just along for the ride instead of him doing it for the views.
"not a TH-camr but a person on TH-cam" puts it perfectly 💯
Not enough people like that these days
I think you underestimate how much these videos are produced but in a subtle way...I'm not knocking it though
@@BaileyMagikz what he does is that he actually makes a TV production on the TH-cam network.
As in UK tv (that is what he grew up with most)
@@keithparker1346 its a compliment not knocking him and don't underestimate him watched him for years
Thanks Geoff, another "please not" to shorts and vertical here. If it is still something that you feel good about, please keep up the great work and quality and longer documentaries, I will absolutely watch these. They're great! Thanks a lot 😊
Hard no to Shorts and TikTok. Because I'm an adult, with an attention span.
I’m only 14 but I also dislike Shorts and TikTok. I always cringe inside when I see what my younger relatives watch on there. Or maybe I’m just weird because a lot of people my age are addicted to short form content.
I'm an adult with barely any attention span and I completely agree.
I do watch Shorts but it doesn’t replace me watching long form videos lol
I hate Shorts and especially TikTok. Both are meant as addictive ways to waste time, not a productive way to gain knowledge.
Agreed. I'm in favor of documentary style... I neither care for shorts nor Tik-Tok. And at my age (I'm a senior citizen) I don't care for wobbly shots or anything that makes me dizzy!
Glad to read that you’re not quitting TH-cam, Geoff! Having been an avid viewer of your videos for the past 10 years or so, you’ve always made superb, engaging and entertaining content that is not only informative but also genuinely uplifting - your videos have helped me through some dark periods in the past few years, so I’m delighted to be able to pay that back to you a little. In answer to the question posed in the video itself, I’m definitely much more a fan of the long-form, documentary style of video and I am very much looking forward to more of these from you in future - keep up the amazing work.
thanks Mart (as always) so kind of you!
You had me on tenterhooks for the whole video, wondering where it was headed! Well played Geoff (and no, please don’t quite TH-cam).
My opinion on this is very simple: Never change Geoff, never change
Your style videos still have their rightful place on the platform
My thoughts as well
As a Swede I would just like a zoom-out when you're showing a map of where you are. I have no idea where "Quibble-Thurnstow" station is, even if you tell me it's somewhere in the neighbourhood of "Whirple-Tooting"...
I love your work, and I don't like shorts. They're vertical, and my screen isn't.
All the best from a lovely part of Sweden.
Don't worry, English people outside of London are just as confused.
As a Dane, I have to keep Google maps open in the other window to find out where we are at with Geoff and Jago's (et al) videos, because if it's not around the area near the Thames I visited I have absolutely no clue where it is
I wouldn't be surprised to actually find Whirple-Tooting in London zone 7 or 8 in 😂😂😂
Honestly Geoff, please keep up the great work. I find your videos inspiring, engaging and informative.
I recently did my own trip inspired by what you do when in London recently - I travelled the whole of the Victoria Line "ticking off" and photographing each mural behind the benches. Something I wouldn't think of doing without taking partial inspiration from your videos
Thank you, Geoff, for your excellent videos over the years. Keep em coming!
BTW: I watch on my Apple TV. No idea how to “thanks” there though. 🤷
@@yatil I watch on my TV via Google Chromecast. There you navigate up and the like, dislike, and $thanks icons appear and can be selected.
very kind, thank you!
You helped me realise the thing i loved was not really trains but train *infrastructure* and oddities and the last 7 years i watched you have helped build a real love and appreciation. In a funny way you changed my life a bit. That's cool in my books.
Thanks for the long form content! Perfect for watching on the TV!
I've found the audience for my shorts is almost completely separate to my long form audience - so in that regard it does help a channel reach a larger audience, but I'm not sure that it really leads to many of those viewers coming through and watching the 'proper' content. While my shorts get a lot of views, the quality of engagement on long form videos is much higher, and I think despite what we might think, there are a lot of young people hungry for longer form content - I think there will always be a place for it. Love your longer documentary style stuff Geoff. ❤️
I can confirm as a young person that I really like long form train content
the biggest issue as a user is that. it's very easy to go from standard TH-cam to the TH-cam short. (often one klick next to a video).
For a shorts to go to standard. takes like 4 steps. 1 stop the short. 2 go to the about button of said short. 3 click on the name of the account. 4 navigate from there home page to whatever video you might like to see.
So you really must want to do that all if you care. in not well to bad.
Tailset I love you
The longer videos have to be more within what the viewer actually are interested in, or have a title / preview picture that really attracts viewers. I think it was a suggestion of one of your videos about one of the lines that made me start watching your channel.
Sorter videos are ok to watch even if they aren't the primary choice, as a sort of filler content, after running out of the videos that would be most desirable to watch. I honestly think that many creators doing videos that are 5-15 minutes long, maybe stretching it to 20 minutes, are in this filler content segment and would struggle to get a decent viewership if the videos were just longer without also making the videos more desirable to watch. I think that these videos can be compared with the programs that was shown after some really popular TV program back in the days of linear television. Or for that sake "the other less great cartoon" that was on a VHS/DVD with a compilation of cartoons, or for that sake the not so great filler content tunes that filled up more than half of every LP/CD back in the days of physical audio media.
Also: It really that much more work to create longer videos if counting work per created minutes and seconds of video? I get that more facts probably has to be researched and double checked and whatnot, but still?
And also: To any creator out there reading this: The most important technical thing is to have good audio quality. Speech has to be intelligible. This is way more important than picture quality unless the video is especially visual.
The second most important thing which I would say TH-cam creators have mastered way better than the traditional TV industry is that the director, editor and camera operator need to have some interest in / skills in whatever the video is about. I would say that TH-cam creators have shown that the traditional TV industry totally missed the concept of edutainment. Either there was a public sector budget for educational videos that usually were rather boring, or a TV show was not educational even if it could easily have been. The exception was kind of some TV shows intended at children. I can't imagine how the traditional TV industry world wide could had fully missed that there are loads of adults who are keen on learning new things if it's also somewhat entertaining to watch. Like I will never have any actual use for knowing about how railway lines are in Melbourne as I live on the opposite end of the globe, but I still like to watch Taitset videos showing how lines including switches, platforms and whatnot are used, and at times let my mind drift away thinking about if there would be a more efficient way to do things.
@@sirBrouwer unless you're subscribed to said channel, then it's only two taps to jump to the channel (since shorts aren't meant for devices where you click on things), but that said - in the mobile apps, whether it's on a phone or tablet, it's much harder to navigate and use TH-cam in general and you really need to know how to find what you're looking for.
I'm a casual viewer of this channel, and here's how I see these questions:
1) I don't use TikTok and don't intend to. I have rarely watched a TH-cam Short and don't intend to do that more either.
2) I watch TH-cam on my computer at home. I no longer watch television, so I suppose TH-cam has fully replaced it. I never watch TH-cam on my phone. (Strictly music when I'm out.)
3) Were I a creator, the biggest question for me would be: what do I want to add to the world? what's my legacy? Thousands of TikToks will never amount to anything, as they barely matter beyond the moment they're made. But longer films will be valued for years, especially those which document the time I am working.
Very well said
I've only been watching for a couple of years - but I adore the long form content - I've only really recently got into trains and the railway in general but games and your content has helped me appreciate it.
I do enjoy some short from content - but I tend to spend my evenings watching youtube as a streaming service - I have a number of educational videos as well as watching some gaming videos - and on occasion watch video essays too so I'm happy to chip in and help out with these documentaries you want to make.
If you don't want to make short form - don't feel forced to. It does bring in a new audience but with your rail content I feel like long form is better and shorts will just take up too much time to pander to an audience who want quick dopamine hits and not informative content.
TL;DR keep up the good work Geoff - I'm hoping to visit all the tube stations at least once myself thanks to your inspiration
Geoff, you've done a bang up job with your channel. It's such a pleasure to come along on your trips, whether it be abandoned stations or bin bags. Please don't give up on your style and attention to detail. If you decide to stick around, I know your viewership will follow you. I, for one, would be keen to seeing what you can do with a longer documentary (see also: Beau Miles' style). Resist the vertical video plague and stick to your guns. But above all else, don't feel beholden -- if you want to take a break, or even hang up your channel, we support and applaud you. Well done mate. 🛤
Top comment 👌
Hey Geoff. My uncle was a high-up person (not sure of his exact title) but at the time of his death he was in charge of level crossings for Network Rail (again, I think. He was never very talkative about his work). His name was Kevin Boyd.
He died in 2020 unfortunately of MS, of course a horrible, horrible disease. But he had always loved trains and loved working for the railway, and he also used to love your videos, both individually and your older ones for The Londonist.
I only became a fan of trains and a railfan after his passing, about 2 years ago. But I would have loved to talk with him about his work and the trains and how the whole network operates.
But this is my thanks to you, from myself and my late uncle, for the joy you brought to us and for helping so many people who perhaps often feel lonely in this community, for always sharing your love of trains with us.
Whatever your future is, Geoff, whatever videos you want to make or end up making, you have an impact on so many different people.
You have reached so many and make this rather incredible and really quite complicated topic of trains and railways and transport so open and available for all. Thank you!
a lovely comment, thx, thank you!
You make videos about a niche subject that a lot of us railfans and transport enthusiasts really enjoy. You know that already. I'm a huge fan of your channel and when you upload because I'm in the US it's perfect for me because I'm getting up in the morning, having my breakfast and coffee and watch your new video before getting ready for work. So keep up the great work you're super awesome!
Thanks Geoff for your amazing videos! Please don't change the format of your videos. I personally like them as they are and i really enjoy watching them, sometimes more than once.
You dainsh? Cool dono
Never, ever give up TH-cam, Geoff. You are one of a kind.
Stick to what you do Geoff as long as you are personally enjoying it. I'm not a fan of shorts, which are just YT's response to TikTok. YT is now like a streaming service, I probably watch it just as much as normal TV and other streaming services. I prefer longer videos, especially when professionally researched and produced like yours (and I really appreciate the effort you put in!). Many of the channels I subscribe to are like yours - quality content from an informed person with good production levels.
thanks Nigel .. appreciated, kindly!
Geoff, your videos since the Londonist days has inspired a whole subculture of British transport enthusiasts to produce their own channels and communities and your down to earth presenting style has been so influential over the years. Please do continue to be a pillar of the community in whatever way you want it to be! Your viewers are loyal :)
It feels quite poignant you doing this video in Chislehurst and Petts Wood because for me, I grew up in Chislehurst and my love for trains was fuelled by doing the exact same walk you do here over those three bridges as a child! Finding your videos later in my life only fuelled my passion more. This feels very much like a full circle moment! Keep doing what you’re doing and you have been as influential to my life as you have done to so many other people :)
Geoff, I love the long form video format. Your enthusiasm for the subject matter - whatever it is - has kept me coming back for years. Please keep up the good work!
Keep the long videos coming in. We like them!🌍
I'm an anti-shorts person. I watch almost all TH-cam content on my TV and prefer horizontal videos.
I rarely watch shorts myself. And when I do, a.) they're by someone I'm already subscribed to for longer-format stuff, and b.) it's almost always on my desktop computer, with the URL edited to put it in the regular video player (replace "shorts/" with "watch?v="). I do _not_ like the auto-looping shorts player, and wish TH-cam had a setting to always play them in the regular video player.
As for TH-cam in general, I mostly watch on my desktop computer, often with the screen angled so I can watch from bed, or with my computer chair leaned back.
Sometimes I'll watch on my phone, but that's mostly in bed or elsewhere at home, or out of the house at places with trustworthy wifi, since I don't have unlimited data.
I've watched on the living room TV before too, with my phone controlling it. But it's been a while, and sometimes software updates (to my phone or the TV) will break it for a while. Plus often others in the house are watching TV there.
Overall, TH-cam control and commenting work best on my computer, and watching from bed is as comfortable as watching from the couch -- even if my monitor fills less of my eyes than the TV does.
Whilst it can seem logical to try and "keep with the times" i.e., converting to making TikToks or hyper fast-paced content.. sure it may allow for you to keep making videos for a longer time. But if it's not what you enjoy making, then it will become such a slog. I've had multiple other TH-cam channels in the past of various topics and styles and they just never ended up gelling with me. Simply put, do what you enjoy and that gives you the most fulfillment! There will always be an audience for it somewhere!
PS: I, and quite a lot of people I know, make an active effort to *not* watch Shorts. Hate em!
My main issue with shorts is the portrait format and how they do not support channel notifications (they wont appear in the notification feed even if you've enabled them for the channel) and I simply do not have the time or memory to go checking every channel for potential new shorts.
I also generally dislike short-form content. However it can occasionally be done well (but not in portrait shorts / tiktok-style format!)
I love the shorts seeing a snippet of a channel I may be interested in
SAME!
Your channel and Jeff's are amongst about 5 or 6 I view on a regular basis.
Love your videos. My wife and I look forward to watching your videos on the TV at the weekend. We save them up and have a mini binge.
thanks Jonathan, super kind of you!
Thank you for not quitting. I'm a disabled pensioner, so can't afford TikTok, Patreon and other stuff. I watch on my PC at home, although I could stream on the TV if it were easier to use. Moving a cursor to pick letters is time consuming. I'm in Doncaster, can see platform 0 from the bathroom window so I'm happy with quirky stuff like that. I'm subscribed, don't want to miss anything, and have watched as many of your video's as I can find. Strange that I enjoy London Underground things so much, but I do. I find your videos have more entertainment value than real TV ones, no going back over old stuff all the time for example. You vary your content, that keeps me glued, and you must have scratched your head several times with thinking up things to feature. I've been watchi8ng you (not in a creepy way!) since Londonist days. Keep it up. Oh, and I'm not a fan of shorts either. I've got a wide screen monitor!
Hi @Gordon57 - Just a suggestion. Most (I believe) TV sets allow the use of a PC keyboard, possibly a wireless one with a dongle, or get a wired keyboard with an extension USB cable. Makes it a lot easier to type words in. My other recommendation is log into your Google account on both the TV and your computer. Then, after watching/finding a video on the PC, you can use the 'history' button on the youtube TV App to watch the same video there. Hope this makes sense. Cheers from new zealand. Fred :)
Just another suggestion, you can also control the YT app on your TV from your phone - try the button to the left of the notification button in the phone app (which is next to the search button). If your TV doesn't come up automatically, try linking with TV code, this code can be found somewhere in the TV app (or press Learn More for more help). Once this is enabled, you can search and browse videos like normal. When you play a video, it automatically starts playing on your TV! You can even create a queue of videos like on desktop.
@@Schobbish It's actually easier to stay on the PC. I have a 21" wide screen monitor, so can probably see things better anyway. Thanks for the tip though.
Thank you for all your work and excellents videos. Can't wait to see all the futur videos / documentaries you will produce.
thank you! most kind
日本のファンです！Geoffさんの動画めちゃ好きです！
いつもイギリス電車の面白いコンテンツを上げていただいてありがとうございます！
I am a 70 year old train spotter/enthusiast. Your videos are a necessary part of my interest. I watch on my computer. With my wife we watch on television. Both, short informative features and longer documentary style viewing are attracting us. Potentially I am indicating stay as you are.
One day, one day my wife will watch train videos with me. But not today, probably not tomorrow...
Several years ago TH-cam replaced broadcast TV for me (e.g watching on a TV instead of sky or cable) Each evening after work, I catch up on the days uploads, some channels I save for a particular day, I like to save travel videos for Sunday am. Really enjoy your content, plus you have introduced me to many other TH-camrs via your content which are now also part of my TH-cam subs / watch list.
I find that I watch far more TH-cam than broadcast TV now, and the vast majority of it is the longer format. I find that shorts seem to be disposable and light weight. They have their place, embedded into facebook etc and cat videos! Geoff thanks for all you do and for educating and entertaining me, so often about things I had no idea I could be entertained by!
I have left several donations on this channel, something I never do on any other channel. And that’s because I feel your channel is absolutely deserving of the upmost support possible. And that’s with your current format, on TH-cam. Personally, even at 21, I don’t get the whole ‘shorts’/TikTok craze, and while I understand the idea of moving with the times I wanted to show that there are plenty of us that enjoy your TH-cam videos. I have seen many comments here that I agree with, with the note about how shorts are ‘like a bag of crisps when you’re hungry that aren’t at all filling’ being one that is unbelievably true! Your videos are so superbly informative and presented, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. So for me, personally, the ways things are as good as they can be. So thanks again, Geoff!
thanks you, so kind! thx!
It’s quality! Your TH-cams are quality, well crafted, appropriate paced, informative, productions. There’s another saying, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’! Shorts/Reels/TikTok (not that I have that) are for low concentration/distraction watching on an iPhone while waiting for a train or bus, it’s not quality consumption to learn something. Stay with quality horizontal/landscape wide screen productions. And yes, and here’s another quote, ‘if you want to be all things to all people’, and you have the time or want to butcher-up some longer TH-cams as a sub-edit, do the Shorts/Reels/TikTok as well!
Thank you for all you have done for us all train fans who thought we were alone!
Ps: Don’t forget to change at Didcot Parkway!
so kind, thank you! will change at Didcot OK!
Happy to hear you are not quitting - my son (7) would have been devastated - he has been watching you videos since he was 4. We would happily support which ever direction you decide on but my son has loved your vlog style videos as he always feels like he is on a train adventure with you and learns so much that way! Thanks Geoff!
What you do is perfect Geoff (he says clutching his new London Railway Atlas).
We watch you on the TV whilst were having our dinner, and save the longform videos for weekend evenings. Like many, I'm still in awe of your America Road trip video.
That damn algorithm and it's shorts is horrible, and what you do (incredibly well) is just right.
It's always a happy day when a new video pops up.
Keep being you x
Wonderful channel and love end of the line type videos as well as your longer documentary type videos. Keep up the great work
thanks Warwick, appreciated! thank you
Thanks! Love your videos, Geoff! I definitely watch YT as a streaming service, on my AppleTV. I watch it more than I watch any other streaming service, because the videos on YT, like yours, are more interesting, personal and unique than elsewhere. Your work in particular is among my absolute favorites, I’ve been watching you for years and I hope you can continue! I’m a documentary filmmaker and I find your work incredibly inspiring. I made a film some years ago that happened to have the title “Train Keeps A Rolling”, it was about a musician who had a difficult life and he wrote a song with that title, and I think it applies to you, too. I look forward to riding your train, hopefully to many more stations!
Thanks for making brilliant content over the years, I don't watch every video nor do i watch the super regularly but i always find myself back here loving your videos. To answer your question, I love longer videos, documentary style, video essays, anything going indepth into a topic i absolutley love. Keep on making excelent videos
Thanks Geoff for all your hard work! I believe there’s space for a lot of content creators that do vertical videos on all other platforms, but I do come to your channel casted on the TV at weekends to catch up on your adventures - keep up what you’re doing!
You're awesome Geoff, you've mastered the art of railway content, you paved the way for content in this niche, Thanks ❤
Geoff please don't ever quit TH-cam, your the most famous Transport TH-camr in the world and thats an amazing title, you prouduce the best train videos ever and I absolutely love your documentary style videos, those types of videos are so entertaining and you are very good at them, I love you so much you are the best youtuber ever. You are the reason I got ao interested into trains and I couldn't thank you enough, Its such a great thing to be in such a lovely community and it means the world to me, I know TH-cam shorts and tiktok is very popular nowadays but its not gonna stop you from making your great videos, we still want them and we will always watch you no matter what. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks. I love your documentary style, and close looks. My TH-cam time tends to be either on the commute to and from work, or in the evening when I look for entertainment. Shorts videos don't really appeal, and I don't have TikTok. I don't live in the UK, so the fact you explain all the uniqueness and provide the detail helps me understand.
Thank you Geoff for your continued dedication to this community
I enjoy watching your videos! I like those visits to depot and new stations. Interviewing locals about their railways stories could be interesting. Hoping to watch more of your great contents! Cheers!
thank you! most kind.
Keep up the great work and don't ever quit making videos!!! Look forward to working with you again in the future :)
thank you Russell! incredibly kind! :-)
I've been watching your channel since 2015 and you've grown so much over the years!!!
Love longer form, although I don't mind the occasional whimsical wonky angle. Comments section of youtube is a hard place to get into a discussion on monetization models, so I guess I'd ask "do the short forms mentioned pay you back the time you'd have to put into them?" Love your work. You make trains fun....and I discovered so much more of London because of you. Thanks.
thank you Scott, very kind!
Thanks Geoff, keep up the good work and follow your heart. I think longer videos do well, from other channels i watch
Thanks Geoff, don't stop the long format, and yes I do watch on my TV ( on which I rarely watch 'normal' TV anymore)
I love your longer videos, Geoff. Every so often I will watch your USA Roadtrip 2022. That video was really moving and we don't get many videos like that online anymore.
That’s still the best video ever on TH-cam in my book.
That’s still the best video ever on TH-cam in my book.
@@rachelwalker7091 thank you both, very kind! it's an absolute favourite of mine as well.
I hate the shorts. Never even click on them. I often sit down of an evening with my laptop or TV and watch the latest from the video channels I like, and they tend to be videos that are at least 10 minutes, normally 15-20 mins, long.
There are only maybe a dozen channels I go back to again and again. Yours is obviously one even if I am not a massive train nerd simply because they are now SO well done. Mini works of art.
I watch your videos because I love your enthusiasm and point of view on trains, as well as your personality - anybody can make a video on trains but you make it interesting and engaging, and I like you are trying new and different formats and styles. Also your videos have a calming quality to them, and the time flows by extremely quickly because they are so great and well-made. I will support you whatever direction you take. Big thank you for the videos over the years!
thank you Adam! most kind
To quote a certain Geoff Marshall: "I am not a TH-camr, I make videos and put them on TH-cam." I think you should stick with your own personal style. The viewers just know whether you are making videos form the hart or with your purse in mind. Do you go with a trend (short & vertical) or do you stick with your own style or are you among the ones that are setting a new trend towards the more slow and in depth videos? I would prefer the last.
I have been watching your videos since the Tube Challange videos. You truly developed your style of video making. I usually watch them om my Ipad, occasionally on TV. Horizontal and long as I prefer, and I use YT as a streaming service. Watching videos for an hour or two, and I would have no problem paying for it as I am a Patreon for some other chanels.
Thanks Geoff! Always enjoy your content.
Thanks for your videos Geoff - they are the right length and format. I watch on my computer screen in the evening.
thank you!
Geoff, I'm now 43 and tottally housebound. I am mad about trains, buses n coaches. Plus I love London. In my younger days I would ramdomly travel from Birmingham to London once a week at least! I used to travel all over London. Now I can't do any of that. I have to rely on you tube to see new trains, new routes, behind the scenes and buses and coaches. So I cannot state how important your channel is to me. I've watched since Londonist days. My favourite non train video was your canals of London video where you found a barge turned in to a Book shop. I'm a book lover so that's the reason I forget. Different style of videos makes no difference but not a fan of shorts. Tick toc is for the younger ones not for me! I can barely use X (twitter). I still watch your all the station videos to this day. It all helps keep me sane. Your amazing at what you do. You've made a success out of you tube which contary to some younger people views is not an easy to make a success and requires hours and hours of pain staking work. Please don't give up. There are many like me who can no longer travel and rely on social media inc you tube to feed our love of trains and buses. Don't give up now you've worked so hard to get to this point. In answer to your question, my partner and I watch you tube on our telly while we eat then at night or early morning watch it on our phones. My partner hates shorts as well. Despite my partner having no intetest in trains etc she watches your videos. Not just because I want to. She genuinely loves your videos. Wishing you every success. If you do decide on membership or paetron I would join. I will donate when I can for thanks button. All the Geoff. Thank you for all you do for London and the transport of the UK.
Thanks Geoff for years of great content (I've been watching your videos since the Londonist days). Please keep up the long format videos. I am one of those who watch via my Apple TV. The first thing that I do when I sit down to watch TV is to catch up on new content from my TH-cam subscriptions.
Carry on just as you are Geoff! No shorts, no TikTok. And looking forward to your longer format videos. I use all forms to view videos - iPad, phone, desktop and TV.
Thanks for your video Geoff. I'm a man in my late 50s who has a fondness for trains and public transport. I'm not sure if I'm a typical viewer, but increasingly, over the years, I've been watching TH-cam videos like yours on my TV ( on the TV app), rather than watching mainstream TV or indeed other streaming services. I do sometimes watch TH-cam on my iPad in bed. I prefer longer videos (definitely not shorts or Tik Tocs). Although I do like your more fun journeys, visits, challenges and races. Keep up the fantastic work, I always enjoy watching your videos when they drop. Take care and thanks again.
If you're not typical, you're not alone 😂
I'm the same with using it more than Netflex/Prime/Disney+, it's nice to sit down in the evening and catch up with the latest videos. Mind you, I have just turned 53!
Just spent four days in London - last time I was there the Olympics were on.
I spent a lot of time on the underground and I was sooooo excited, "I've seen this place in a Geoff video!". My daughter also took her first underground journey and was an immediate convert; she properly geeked out about it, "This is so cool!!!".
Love the long videos Geoff.
Thank you Geoff! Been watching your videos for over a decade.
thank you! and very kind ... appreciated.
We watch TH-cam almost every night at dinner - and we’ve been following your channel closely since the beginning of pandemic, it’s one of our favorites! We watch it on TV (with an AppleTV) most of the time. I like to watch the occasional short but I definitely don’t want them taking over. Greetings from Massachusetts USA, where we havent been on the London 12 years or so (though I was on ScotRail last year for a mercifully short time).
Thanks from Spain. We love your vlogs! My child (a train fan) really enjoys them 🛤🚆😊
thank you! most kind :-)
I feel like TH-cam Shorts are ruining what makes TH-cam a place to watch videos. From 2005 - 2020 there were only long form videos and that's what made TH-cam the way it was, if you wanted short form content you would go to TikTok since it was made to do so. But now there's short form content on TH-cam which also doesn't make any sense, like why would you want short form content on a platform that's known for making video at least up to 3 or 5 minutes long? It just doesn't add up
Supporting the great work you do, keep bringing out the great breath of fresh air & relaxing train content. Long time supporters since All the stations, I hope to witness more of your great documentaries.
I have my watching apps TH-cam, Netflix etc on my phone but I mostly cast to TV to watch.
Love the channel. Vertical letter box videos annoy the heck out of me!
I felt a little jump inside, I must admit. I've been watching your content for many years and I hope there's plenty still to come.
Thanks for all the content over the years Geoff! I’ve got to say I see shorts/reels as throwaway content to watch in bed or on the bog 5 minutes. Vlog style for me all the way. Get your tea/coffee/beer and hunker down to respond to the yearning of nerdy information and random tidbits. Not even remotely close for me!
Wow! Alex,thanks. That’s incredibly kind of you - thank you so much. Good to know your insight too into what sort of content you prefer too, many thanks!
Well, this viewer definitely enjoys your longer form documentary style. I like the variety your channel offers too. I rarely watch shorts. I hope you'll be here doing your thing for a long time yet. I really enjoy your channel.
I donˋt live in the UK and I am a German living in the German countryside 30 km away from the next train station but I love your videos. When I am in London, which I am rather often, I love using the tube and buses and quite often I get off at stations that you introduced in your videos. I also enjoy the vibrant way in which you present the London Underground and its more than 150 years of history.
I do not need Shorts and I am more than happy with the 15 to 30 min videos you produce.
I watch them on my i- Pad back home on my sofa and think of my next trip across the Channel.
Keep on going Geoff.😊
love your content. love your styles. thanks so much for sharing these thoughts.
can't we have wonky shots in long-form documentaries?
may be imagining it but the picture quality looked amazing for your serious monologue. different lens? different lighting? maybe i just appreciate the thoughtful seriousness :-)
I do have an attention span and will happily watch the longer documentary style videos . Carry on the great work you do .
Please dont give up TH-cam Geoff you are best TH-cam for your Tube and Train videos
You’re a filmmaker in my eyes. ❤
I stumbled across your channel by accident a few years back with Londonist and am in no way a train enthusiast but I have loved watching your videos, your style is perfectly suited to what you do and your passion and enthusiasm shine through in a way that makes the videos very interesting and enjoyable. It’s as accessible for people like me as it is people in the industry. Dare I say you’ve maybe overthought things, you have built up a loyal following who love what you do and how you do it. Don’t doubt a thing! TH-cam would be worse off without you!
My thoughts as well
Thanks! I remember meeting you in 2018...love to see more videos
Like @obroni said don’t stop the documentary style. I too am an adult with an attention span and into my mid 60’s still have a craving for learning and finding out the myriad facts figures explainations and history lessons you come up with. Oh and kudos to you for having the confidence and committment to making this your career and income out of something fully enjoy and have a passion for.
I'm Irish, love trains and London itself so seeing someone like Geoff after almost almost having an anger attack on the rarity on train and tube videos on TH-cam is so relieving that when I saw "Let's Quit" I almost died
Geoff, the passion you put and show in each one of your videos, combined with your extensive videomaker knowledge always makes for uniquely amazing content. Definitely addicted to your videos, hoping one day you'll come to discover my home country's rails!
Cheers from Italy!
ah, that's incredibly kind, thank you!
Some of us have a greater attention span it seems!
I use TH-cam as a streaming service on my TV :) I don't want shorts, I intentionally avoid them. Much rather longer form content
Always watch TH-cam on the telly. Love the documentary ones you out out now
1. Thanks! Please carry on as you are. Your videos are one of the highlights in this mish mash smorgasbord that is TH-cam.
2. My kids watch TH-cam on TV as another TV streaming service.
3. I watch it on my phone but also use it for research for work. The other day I was writing an article for my company's LinkedIn site about Platform 0. How many in GB? Geoff will know, was my first thought!
4. I think being entertained by shorts and tiktok will be a fad like many things over the years (remember when Facebook made you start with "Geoff is..." and you "poked" people). Deep level content will always have a place in entertainment and research.
I've always preferred the longer form videos because it reminds me of typical TV shows. I use TH-cam as a replacement of "normal" TV as it gives me the option to choose my entertainment as opposed to be dictated to by a schedule
I'd love to see more documentary style video's. I really like your videos, but the documentaries are my favourites.
Documentary style is definitely my thing. I mostly watch your videos on TV.
Don't quit, I love your videos, you were one of my early youtube heroes who made me watch many very interesting people here.