Weekend Update 7/13/14

[DKS]

Hard to say exactly why, but that "famous layout" does nothing for me. When Sellios first introduced the Franklin & South Manchester, I was right in there with everyone else salivating over his photos. But after a while, it was like, meh. Strange.

[MichaelWinicki]

I admire the amount of time and resources invested in the F&SM, but for me it's way too over the top.

[Dave V]

I think for me it's the uniform weathering of everything.  Yes, it's the Depression, but even during the Depression, some things were new and uncluttered.

[Scottl]

Peteski, great photos, thanks for sharing.  Incredible layout.

[mcjaco]

It's nice to see some familiar names pop up again!

I have nothing photo worthy, but I've started detailing my California Northern GP15s and SD9s.  Maybe next weekend, I'll post photos.  I've done more modeling in the last three weeks, than the last four years.  It's a good feeling!

[coosvalley]

I got some modeling projects done this week, as well as some visits to the W.W.& F. Rwy.(a 2-footer) and the Seashore Trolley Museum..(both in Maine)..We got to take the handcar the entire length of the W.W.&F., all 2 1/2 miles.......something else off the bucket list!.....

First the models...I corrected the color on my Exactrail Evans boxcars, as well as re-lettered them for the B&M, and weathered them slightly, I may add more..The bottom of the car shows the original color...and I weathered the other 2 cars as well...

[peteski]

Hard to say exactly why, but that "famous layout" does nothing for me. When Sellios first introduced the Franklin & South Manchester, I was right in there with everyone else salivating over his photos. But after a while, it was like, meh. Strange.

I understand what you mean.  The uniform and constant "grunginess" is a bit much, but just thinking of the number of hours he spent building that layout boggles the mind.  If not for anything else, that is impressive! He also has something I will probably never have to his extent: ability to weather the heck of everything.  I wish that I could buy a little piece of that from him!   Yeah, I know that weathering skills can be learned, but I also realize that some people are much better than others.  It is like an art: everybody can paint a picture, but some people will always be better at it than others.

Even though I live less than 30 minutes away from FS&M, my last visit was probably over 10 years ago.  Since then he has "decluttered" the layout quite a bit.  It now looks much more realistic (the old version was way over the top). There are also some clever solutions. The photo realistic backdrops work really well and he has a mirror backdrop for a canyon where the top of the mirror is hidden by clouds painted on the mirror. Of course I didn't take a photo of the mirror.

[nuno81291]

I got some modeling projects done this week, as well as some visits to the W.W.& F. Rwy.(a 2-footer) and the Seashore Trolley Museum..(both in Maine)..We got to take the handcar the entire length of the W.W.&F., all 2 1/2 miles.......something else off the bucket list!.....

First the models...I corrected the color on my Exactrail Evans boxcars, as well as re-lettered them for the B&M, and weathered them slightly, I may add more..The bottom of the car shows the original color...and I weathered the other 2 cars as well...

You are fantastic at weathering, that MEC GP is stunning.

[ednadolski]

Hard to say exactly why, but that "famous layout" does nothing for me. When Sellios first introduced the Franklin & South Manchester, I was right in there with everyone else salivating over his photos. But after a while, it was like, meh. Strange.

It's so good that it competes against itself.  The eye doesn't know what to focus on.

Ed

[peteski]

Is it me or do those look like pizza-cutter flanges?!  ...there is a prototype for everything...

[coosvalley]

You are fantastic at weathering, that MEC GP is stunning.

Thanks!!...This is an older project, I was just a baby back then.....Mostly it is chalk weathering.....Here is a before and after....one looks like a toy to me, the other a hard working machine....

[up1950s]

I will play devils advocate on that grungy layout . I don't think it is too weathered . I do think the muted colors are because accumulated dust over time . There is another aspect that makes the scenes feel like sadness and gloom , it's the cloudy day shadow-less lighting of the photos . Pretty sure if that layout had a bright as hell natural sunlight and the shadows it casts the shots would have a happier and brighter feel to it . I love layouts like that , layouts that make me feel I wish I could shrink myself and walk among the sights . That is why you experts drag your dioramas and modules outside to take your money shots . The real sunshine is game changer .

[packers#1]

I think the main thing with the F&SM is to view it as a prototypical model railroad is a mistake and not what it was made to be. I view it more as a novel or a movie set which has been created to evoke a certain mood and reaction. In that regard, and combined with the excellent craftsmanship with which it has been constructed, I think the F&SM is one of the top layouts in the US.

[Cajonpassfan]

I think the main thing with the F&SM is to view it as a prototypical model railroad is a mistake and not what it was made to be. I view it more as a novel or a movie set which has been created to evoke a certain mood and reaction. In that regard, and combined with the excellent craftsmanship with which it has been constructed, I think the F&SM is one of the top layouts in the US.

Sawyer, that is a very insightful point of view and I think you nailed it! I was able to visit George and his layout three years ago, and wow, it must be seen in person to be truly appreciated! But, as much as I was awed by the workmanship and the sheer volume of modeling, it didn't feel like a real place, but rather a creation of a prolific imagination, like a novel or a set, beautifully executed. The grunginess is an integral part of the place and time... Coal fired steam engines and coal fired factories left a residue of soot and grime everywhere; I don't think we can imagine today just how dirty our predecessors' America was, just look at photos of the era. At least in that regard, I think the F&SM is very authentic. I would highly recommend a visit....
Otto K., modeling something completely different...

[eja]

Would someone tell me,  and any otherwise out of the loop folks, what famous railroad we are talking about? 

Like where is it ? Is it available for public viewing ?  Curious minds want to know.