Weekend Update 7/13/14

[daniel_leavitt2000]

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.

Came here to post this. It is Film Noir in model form. The idea is not to duplicate reality - if he had, he would have used real cities. The idea is to visualize his idea of a period in history. Through his layout, he shows us how he thinks.

It is a photo-realistic impressionist sculpture.

Oh, and Pete... we live like 40 minutes away. When are we getting a pint?

[garethashenden]

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.

Franklin & South Manchester. http://www.finescaleminiatures.com/about.html

[sirenwerks]

It is a photo-realistic impressionist sculpture.

And Clement Greenberg rolls over in his grave...

[DKS]

Through his layout, he shows us how he thinks.

On this I will agree. And while it ain't my cup o' tea, I will not deny its high degree of craftsmanship. Indeed, it's overwhelming, and therein lies part of the problem: way too much of a good thing. Every square inch is crammed with stuff; there is no place for the eye to rest. Which says something about the way he thinks--probably along the lines of, "If detailing is good, then a lot of detailing is even better, and a whole basement full of it is fan-friggin-tastic."

It is a photo-realistic impressionist sculpture.

That sounds like an oxymoron. I'd drop "photo-realistic" and just leave it at "impressionist sculpture."

Rod Stewart--now, there is some photo-realism...

[wazzou]

Rod Stewart--now, there is some photo-realism...

Yeah, I was pretty blown away after seeing Rod Stewart's layout in MR some years back.  Is there an online source for more photos of his layout?

[DKS]

Is there an online source for more photos of his layout?

Sadly, nothing outside of a Google image search that I can find.

And speaking of Rod and George, here's a coincidence...

[wazzou]

Sadly, nothing outside of a Google image search that I can find.

And speaking of Rod and George, here's a coincidence...

I had seen that.  It's clear to see George's influence in Rod's modeling.  I just think Rod does it better.   

[Blazeman]

.

. Of course I didn't take a photo of the mirror.

I'm surprised he let you take photos. Maybe not now, but used to be that was verboten.

[DKS]

...he has a mirror backdrop for a canyon where the top of the mirror is hidden by clouds painted on the mirror.

Ah, an old John Allen trick. Interesting to see the strong influence Allen had on the F&SM. But Allen's "over-the-top-ness" is saved to a degree by whimsy as well as some much needed "negative space," whereas the F&SM just visually collapses under its own weight. Not to mention having a few rather strange, WTF features...

I'm surprised he let you take photos. Maybe not now, but used to be that was verboten.

He has relaxed that rule in recent years.

[peteski]

I'm surprised he let you take photos. Maybe not now, but used to be that was verboten.

I asked before I took my camera out. He said it was ok as long as I didn't reach into the layout when taking pictures (as not to damage anything).  I guess that the fear of damage (not of having photos of the layout all over the Internet) is what made George forbid photography.

DKS: While the layout is not perfect and there are many WTF features, and it is a total visual overload of super-detail, to me it is very impressive and pleasing.

Daniel: I guess we could meet up some time (I have seen you at the Winterfests).  I still get a kick of the fact that thanks to you one of my models made the cover of the N-Scale magazine.  It is the illuminated RR crossing buck I used to make and sell at Ken's Trains.  You must have bought it (installed it) and then took a photo of your layour or diorama which then made the cover. 

[DKS]

I asked before I took my camera out. He said it was ok as long as I didn't reach into the layout when taking pictures (as not to damage anything).  I guess that the fear of damage (not of having photos of the layout all over the Internet) is what made George forbid photography.

As I understand it (from someone who visited his layout decades ago), he forbade photography because he did not want inferior, amateurish images sullying the appearance of his work.

[keeper]

Yeah, I was pretty blown away after seeing Rod Stewart's layout in MR some years back.  Is there an online source for more photos of his layout?

MR visited the layout again. In their February 2014 they showed photos of new scenes.

Thomas

[chicken45]

Different strokes for different folks. Art is art. Not everyone loves cubism, or THIS, but it's still art and you can love, hate, and anything else in the middle it.

I was pleased to see some Pennsy love on Rod's layout. I think it's great that not only is he in to railroading, but how well he does it.

[eja]

Franklin & South Manchester. http://www.finescaleminiatures.com/about.html

Thanks for the link....

eja

[superchief]

I was able to vist the F & SM about 10 years ago during an operating weekend in Boston, George was a very pleasent host, we were able to take photos, and he visted our guest speaker back at the hotel. The layout is a wonder to see, and yes it can be said it is over the top, the the level of detail is incredible. But what I found neat is that he took the time to hand write a postcard to all the guys that attended and "thanked for have the boys over" which I still have. George is a great ambasador to the hobby. Gordon