This is a general update on where I'm at in my life (without getting into too many personal details) and what I intend to do with this channel moving forward, not to mention a possible change of username to boot.
I am still most interested with your TSW reviews, so keep them up. It is great for you to open up on these problems you are having. I had a torrid teenagehood for many reasons, so there.
With all due respect, that decision is for you to make, not us. Although the name "The Trainspotter From Tauranga" makes this channel easy to find (in a good way)
I haven't changed mine from the beginning...and it worked fine after 15 years. As long as you feel comfortable with the name and people can find your channel easily (that means not having a too generic name or handle), it's all good and happy days. Your UK train videos are great btw.
Big up from the cross city line, always look to your channel for TSW content, very clear and straightforward points compared to the fluff online, no annoying music, dramatic language and good footage to back up the videos. You are one of the more genuine RU-vidrs that makes content for the people to watch and the effort is imoressive for the channel size. A lot of the points regarding mental health and purpose I relate to quite a lot, making friends is incredibly difficult unless it's an already established thing especially after school and college. It is oddly comforting to hear a similar situation quite literally across the world. A kinda stupid question, how often or do you ever get to visit the south of your country? NZ seems quite isolated in general compared to most countries and when you mentioned your town doesn't have regular passenger services anymore how difficult is it to get around or visit mates in the south for example? Also is there any other RU-vid or creative ordeal you could've created in the past or has it only and always been about locomotives?
Regarding the last question, this is the only RU-vid channel I've ever had. I started it in 2015, but it didn't really take off until 2019 and 2020. It's always been a railway channel. As for the question about going to the South Island, I've only been there four times in my life so far (January 2007, November 2018, April 2023 and October 2023). When it comes to getting around, I have to go down to Christchurch by aeroplane, and I ask my parents to give me a lift on the roads around the North Island. It doesn't always work out because they often have other things to do. The nearest railway station (not counting heritage lines) is over in Hamilton, but it's only served by the Northern Explorer (Wellington to Auckland) and Te Huia (Hamilton to Auckland). Their frequencies leave a lot to be desired, especially where the Northern Explorer is concerned.
Your channel content is exceptional. The username is just fine. You sound like a guy who is a doer rather than a talker, so the mental health issues will probably be resolved.
Hey there! Well for me, I prefer the original TTFT name, it sounds unique and even quite iconic. Its quite synonymous and easily to remember especially when I have friends and even my uncle from New Zealand. Saying TTFT to my friends in New Zealand, they knew it straight away too. Why yea even though I'm a trainspotter but I'm kinda private and I usually post all of my trainspotting on Instagram. Alongside on being a railway employee, trying to take photos is quite difficult just to avoid myself getting myself into trouble. And yea its quite difficult on being out with friends as they're quite busy with work. Just like me, working in the railway for 4 to 5 years, been so busy and focused on the work too. Don't give up and keep up the good work! Love all of ya videos that ya filmed, especially with the recent Melbourne visit. Kudos to ya, I really like New Zealand a lot! Keep up the good work TTFT! Regards from Singapore.
TTFT is still a great name in my opinion. And you and tait set have been a great addition to the folks who I’ve subscribed to from the southern hemisphere. I hope things improve for you soon and I appreciate how you write your opinions on TSW. And seeing your rail fan vids from NZ is always neat.
The non sponsored unbiased channels are rare these days. So on that front keep it up! Regarding mental issues. You will learn how to cope and embrace the bad days and enjoy the good days. It's a wonky road. The world created a stereotype of how one should live. It's hard if you don't want or can or won't live by the standards and lifestyles other people think you need to live. Comes with age that you get peace with that thought.
I think the Trainspotter from Tauranga is a great username, it’s iconic at this point and, therefore, makes the channel easy to find. Your TSW reviews are fantastic because you are honest and speak your mind, and I can’t think of many other people who do the same. I can relate to life being a struggle (I of course will not go into detail) but, just always remember about the positive things in your life and the friends and family around you who all care for you. Stay strong.
You need to do whatever is personally best for yourself. The "true" community fans of yours would understand your decision either way. We're just glad for your content. Personally, in regards to your username and video content, i think they're just fine as they are. I've personally recommended your channel on Facebook Community Group multiple times. You're excellent at what you do, and your TSW reviews, in particular, are always phenomenal. Andy, a massive fan from the UK
Your original peak forest review was the first video of yours I saw. I’m really glad it was my introduction to tsw 3 and 4, otherwise I may have been a dtg supporter! I also think you should keep your username the same! Good luck!
While suffering from my own mental health issues (anxiety & depression), I always find it helpful and reassuring when others talk openly about their struggles too (as you did here). So I'd like to thank you for that. I really enjoy your reviews, for both TSC and TSW4 (even though I only use TSC and loathe TSW with a passion... I still watch all of your TSW reviews too). They are entertaining, articulate and always offer a true reflection of the monstrousity that is DTG. I hope things look up for you soon and you gain that ever-illusive peace and contentment.
I have discovered this channel a month ago, when I started to play TSW again. In this Short period, I have watched nearly all of your TSW reviews and loved them. Your channel is by far my favourite on YT Greetings from germany
I enjoy your reviews above all others as you are honest and don't just fawn over everything like many of the other RU-vidrs do. DTG need to be held to account over some of their less than stellar routes. Many of the other channels are too cosy with the company for my liking, you watch one and you've seen them all. My advice would be to not change your channel name otherwise it means virtually starting all over again. Keep up the good work.
@@DC4260Productions Re. the mental health side of things, I'm in a similar situation and I found a website called "Global Penfriends" helped me a lot, I now have lots of friends all around the world and I write to several every day. I even found one quite close and we are due to meet up soon. Take care.
Hey, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. That thing with changing the channels name is nothing your community can decide. However, it's your videos that keep me watching and especially the TSW reviews, not the channel name. Maybe, after a long day on a screen, look for some sort of voluntary job to help you get things out of your head. So i don't mind you taking a break from time to time if it helps you. Thank you for your content! Greetings from Austria!🇦🇹
Not sure about getting volunteer work, even at the Goldfields Railway up in Waihi. I tried volunteering in a different area (won't say what it was) in 2019, but it was a total failure.
Great Video, i was literally cheering when you said you will continue making videos normally for now. XD But mate take your time. Although i really don’t like buying something blind and your opinions are one of the only ones i give two f‘s about when it comes to TSW content. Don’t see it as your obligation to always take one for the team because of that. If you don’t like it or don’t think you will, don’t do it. Idk if you consider your channel a job or a hobby but try to see it as just a hobby. You‘ll get way more enjoyment out of it and maybe don’t feel that pressured to always do something. It’s perfectly fine taking a break. As for the name.. i‘m gonna be honest and say i hate searching for it. If I forget the "The" at the start i have to search for the whole name. If i don’t forget it YT fills the rest in directly. As you‘ve said it’s literally what this channel is in a nutshell. So my suggestion would be to maybe lean a bit more into the beginning letters? I can only speak for myself, but if i talk about you i always call you "TTFT“ anyway. If someone asks what it stands for i clear it up and it’s clear as day what you do. But yea… even i don’t consider it a good suggestion tbh so maybe take one from someone more creative. xD Anyways, thank you so much for keeping this channel alive. Although i joined the "Rail Fanatic Club" just recently, your channel is one of the pillars of enjoyment for me. TSW is a good game with MAAAANY flaws. With your criticism of the game you show me how it maybe could’ve been if DTG would get their sh** together. And i absolutely love it, keep it up man. 🫶
I don't consider this channel to be a job, especially since the ad revenue nowhere near a living wage. But I upload as frequently as I do because that gives me something to do with my time.
@@DC4260Productions i just said that because many people try to see it as a job because someday it might be their job. Only approaching it like that almost guarantees that it won’t become your job. If you really have fun doing all this work more power to you, I think that’s perfect. Do it for your sake not ours or money‘s. That’s what i was trying to say. 😅 But mate where is the channel membership or patron? I get that you do it for enjoyment not for money and it’s a bit counter productive to what i’ve said before but it would all still apply. Just let the one’s that want to help you take these trips compensate you for your time and effort. Let us just buy you a coffee or whatever you like to drink man. But it’s also understandable if you don’t want to. I just wanted to let you know that there are people that would gladly do that. 😁
“That One Kiwi Reviewer” sounds like a pretty fun and memorable name to be honest. But as others said, it’s up to you. I also know that feeling of nothing happening in life and having, as you put it perfectly, fuck all to do. I don’t know what the mentalhealth services are like in NZ, but I do recommend professional help if you feel like you need it. I know it’s kinda weird leaving this kind of comment, but so far folks have been focusing on your new name and a TSW 5 leak (if that thing’s real I’ll loose my last bit of hope in DTG) and I always hope to help. I wish you the best mate
You are right about the world becoming one big shitshow. And those Train Sim idiots in those so called "communities" are too toxic to even bear now, So I distance myself from them now.
the channel "Lydia Loves Timelines" was originally called "Screenportal" and changed its name due to the same reason, if you changed its name I doubt there would be any negative repercussions, besides "That One Kiwi Reviewer" sounds funny, I like it
Honestly, I really enjoy your TSW4 reviews, I love hearing you loose it at “oh what has dovetail fucked up this time” haha, Personally I would keep the channel name just as people know it. And sudden changes could damage reputation. It is your choice though. It does sound a bit “odd” to me, some better ideas I could think of are; DF 7295 Productions (could be any loco + number) EMD Enjoyer North Island Productions Just some ideas. Hope your mental state improves and you make some new friends!
I like the channel name as is but ultimately it is up to you to decide what to do with the name of your channel. I wouldn’t have an issue if it was changed
Similar feelings around nothing todo besides trains all i do is work and see trains I like trains but I don't want just trains but that's hard to do due to friends.
I only found your channel in the last few weeks. I'm not a fan of the name because I can never remember it, or how to spell it, and have no idea how to say it. Selfish reasons yes but anyway, The Trainspotter From NZ would be easier!
