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F&SM Gallery 1

A VISIT TO GEORGE SELLIOS' FRANKLIN & SOUTH MANCHESTER

This is an interesting gallery of photos from (I believe) my second visit to the F&SM in 2001 (ish).  It's a nice little time capsule of the F&SM at that time. Feel free to like favorite pictures by clicking the heart icon in the top right corner. We'll see if there's a consensus on favorite scenes...  Once you click an image to open the viewer, you can browse all pictures in the viewer.  Also, use the magnifying glass icon to make the images full size.  One note on this gallery: if I recall correctly, I borrowed a state of the art digital camera for this trip.  The focus metering sucked - so as you'll no doubt notice, some areas are in focus and others are not.  Let's just call them "artsy".~MCG

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Streets

Streets

The streets in Manchester wind in and out (and under) of the buildings

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The A. Zol Co.

Such a simple structure, but so well executed!

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New Signs

New Signs

Notice the new Franklin & South Manchester sign on I.M. Boren's roof.

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A true beast

A true beast

Look at all those windows! I.M. Boren is a true beast of a model. Outside commercial layouts I can;t think of a comparable building

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Ye olde water pipe

Ye olde water pipe

It may not make much sense, but I always liked the water gushing from the side of this building and into the harbor

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Lift Bridge

Lift Bridge

Shots like this of the Manchester lift bridge make you want to shrink to HO scale and go exploring

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Breakdown?

Traffic problems on the overpass outside Franklin. There are a ton of vehicles on the layout if you look

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It's in the details

It's in the details

Lots of details make up this shot of Biddle-Gaumer

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Duck watching

Duck watching

The creek is a perfect place to watch the ducks. And to check out more water scenery

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Variety is the spice of modelling

Variety is the spice of modelling

Variety is key and this shot shows four types of roofing applied over time. Make your models exist in time- give them history

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A great scene

A great scene

Darn lighting gets in the way of a perfect shot. Notice the JS-1 pile driver in the harbor

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What a backdrop!

What a backdrop!

Two of my favorite structures with a great city backdrop. Its always great when the layout can be its own backdrop

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Detail Castings galore

Detail Castings galore

See if you can count all of the metal detail castings used on A. Zol. Its a lot!

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Great Brickwork

Great Brickwork

Some of my favorite brickwork

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I see you George Bailey!

I see you George Bailey!

Peeking into the layout to see Bailey's Produce

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Sightlines

Sightlines

This whole complex will be removed shortly after this visit, which opens up some new and needed sightlines

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Soon to be gone

Soon to be gone

This wonderful scene is no more, but alas the swimmers are safe

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Into Franklin

Into Franklin

The buildings of Franklin make a great backdrop for a departing Freight

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Franklin Lighthouse

Franklin Lighthouse

What a great scene! I love the rockwork under the lighthouse

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Stone bridge

Stone bridge

This stone arch bridge is a fine example of why I love George's masonry work. I especially like the brick accents

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J.F. Fenstermacher

J.F. Fenstermacher

You may recognize Fenstermacher's from a Model Railroader cover. Also check out the interior of the garage in the foreground

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Dovertown

Dovertown

Here's a good overview of Dovertown. I think the station and platform were new at the time

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New or hard to see?

New or hard to see?

This cool little shed could be new - or just really hard to see

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Mitchell's and Butler's

Mitchell's and Butler's

This whole complex was removed to improve sight-lines. It did find a new home years later

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George Bailey's Produce

George Bailey's Produce

FSM JS-2. I always loved the mixed media of this kit and I think the stucco looks terrific!

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Stone Culvert

Stone Culvert

George masterfully blends nature in with structures which gives the layout a realistic setting

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Fillmore Tower

Fillmore Tower

This is a CRP kit I believe, expertly done and installed at the throaty of Fillmore Yard

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City Canyons

City Canyons

SO much to see here! Structures, vehicles, people, ect etc. Lots of modified Magnuson kits in this shot

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Manchester

Manchester

Another great scene with FSM 285 Jeffries Point in the foreground (one of my favorite FSM Kits)

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J. Baum Tobacco Co.

J. Baum Tobacco Co.

Another study in variety! Now available as a kit from Bar Mills

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Don't neglect the roof!

Don't neglect the roof!

Here George shows all sorts of different detail ideas for your roof-scapes

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Walkers

Walkers

Look at the massive wood roof trusses on Walkers! (In Franklin)

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Franklin Station

Franklin Station

A classic station with a great slate roof. I wonder how many figures are in this shot....

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Franklin Watchworks

Franklin Watchworks

JS-4 pilot model was out of display!

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Franklin Watchworks

Franklin Watchworks

Every FSM kit comes with an abundance of great detail castings and Franklin Watchworks is no exception

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Franklin Watchworks

Franklin Watchworks

An overview of the JS-4 pilot model

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Franklin Watchworks

Franklin Watchworks

The color is still off despite my effort to correct it, but the weathering is sublime

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Franklin Watchworks

Franklin Watchworks

Clapboard, board and batten, and shingle walls all spice up JS-4

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Franklin Watchworks

Franklin Watchworks

I love this scene; so much detail. You can see George switched to one of the glass-making glues instead of using acetate

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Ho Hum

Ho Hum

Just sittin here watching the wheels go round and round...

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Franklin Watchworks

Franklin Watchworks

One nice kit!

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Dont forget the people!

Dont forget the people!

I count 6 figures in this scene. you? Its hard to tell a story without people

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Manchester

Manchester

This is the "backside" of Manchester. The bottom rockwork on the Calvary building are from an earlier FSM kit

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Mitchell's and Butler's

Mitchell's and Butler's

With this structure gone you can get a better view of the bridge. In the end the structure moved across the layout from here

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Burndout's

Burndout's

The Magnuson kit "Burndout's Fireproof Warehouse" makes stealthy appearances all over the F&SM. It's a great casting!

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Looking into the harbor

Looking into the harbor

Here's another view that can't be seen today. It would be broken up by the new double track bridge that crosses the river

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A Zol

A. Zol Co.

These are two of my favorite buildings on the F&SM. Lots of character in a small space!

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The Roof

The Roof

Often overlooked, even though always in view, George always pays attention to the roof.

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Chippy Hollow Brickwork

Chippy Hollow Brickwork

Behind the signal tower sits a building made up of pieces from Chippy Hollow

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A day at the river

A day at the river

Pleasant little vignettes like this one are all over - waiting to be discovered

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Big time!

Big time!

This long wooden structure is full of great detail. All the open windows with curtains blowing are great

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Track bumper

Track bumper

End of track bumper and some of George's custom Campbell fencing

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Outskirts of Franklin

Outskirts of Franklin

Lots to see here

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RDA kit?

RDA kit?

George uses plastic kits here and there. Is this an RDA kit?

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Working on the car

Working on the car

This guys' been working on that car for years! I love the metal roofing on this shed

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Clerestory

Clerestory

Another fine way to spice a roof up!

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Isaiah Shalom Co.

Isaiah Shalom Co.

Another giant wooden building in Bedford Falls. Nice slate roof!

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Biddle Gaumer Co.

Biddle Gaumer Co.

One of my favorite FSM kits: Chippy Hollow Hardware

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Fixing the roof

Fixing the roof

More roof scenes. I believe this is the famed Trains of Texas brick wall casting

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Hasslacher Chemical

Hasslacher Chemical

There's a striking similarity to Rollin Sawyer chemical - but not quite. This is hidden on the outskirts of Dovertown

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On oldie but a goody

On oldie but a goody

Code in your dose? The shed by Dovertown

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Dovertown Station

Dovertown Station

This station was a new addition at the time. More stations meant more passenger operations and would foreshadow changes to come

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A Zol.

A Zol.

Another view of A. Zol. After staring at pics in magazines of the F&SM it's crazy to find out how small some of these buildings are in real life

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Ahhh the river view

Ahhh the river view

A clear view down the river. This view will eventually include a new double track bridge cutting right through

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Hidden gem

Hidden gem

Everywhere you look there's something to discover!

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Mitchell's and Butler's

Mitchell's and Butler's

Another shot (with plexi in the way) of this building that was not meant to be (here)

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Bank Note Cigars

Bank Note Cigars

A fine example of George's painted wall advertising. Also notice the little Atlas shed on the roof

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Can you tell I like this building?

Can you tell I like this building?

You can also see some of the lighting that started to appear on the layout about this time period

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Mitchell's and Butler's

Mitchell's and Butler's

The front of Mitchell's and Butler's.

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George Bailey's Produce

George Bailey's Produce

The front of George Bailey's Produce. This one found a home on the layout pretty quickly!

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Brunswick and Balke

Brunswick and Balke

This scene is hidden behind another biding, but I've always liked it~ especially the sign

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A view in Manchester

A view in Manchester

Lots to see as we look down the street at the end of Manchester station

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Turntable at Fillmore Yard

Turntable at Fillmore Yard

Turntable at Fillmore Yard

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Manchester REA

Manchester REA

Another fabulous use of Magnuson's Burndout's kit. With the cornice from the Victoria Falls hotel kit if I recall

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Franklin!

Franklin!

What a hill! Those poor pedestrians should have waited for the bus!

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Hookline and Sinker

Hookline and Sinker

This whole scene is incredible

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Vehicles!

Vehicles!

Often overlooked, but the vehicles on the layout are first rate!

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Belverton

Belverton

Belverton station guards the corssovers

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Cool shanty

Cool shanty

Just another amazingly cool shanty!

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Belverton Streetcar Line

Belverton Streetcar Line

Yes, Belverton has a streetcar line. It crosses over the main

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End of the line!

End of the line!

The scenery was still underway back in beaver meadow. Hiram Bros. is a standout!

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You're going to need that bench

You're going to need that bench

Stones and stairs!

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Great mini-scene

Great mini-scene

I tried to get around the plexi to capture this great scene within a scene. Great brickwork and a prefect little drain pipe

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Hiram Bros.

Hiram Bros.

Looking back at Hiram Bros.

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Outcropping

Outcropping

I shouldn't; have been, but I was a bit amazed at how great George's natural scenery was. The layout definitely isn't all structures

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Chesterville

Chesterville

A look back through Chesterville

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Trees

Trees

The trees are a mix of commercial and hand-made. And there are LOTS of them

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Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes

A literal peek behind the scenes

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Overview of Bedford Falls

Overview of Bedford Falls

Overview of Bedford Falls

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Sawmill

Sawmill

Suburban sawmill. FSM kit?

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Norax

Borax

Always loved this scene. The Borax sign is a fav

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Trainor Industries

Trainor Industries

Another large structure that wasn't meant to be and would be removed to improve sight lines

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Newcomer

Newcomer

This station freight house is a new addition

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The Victoria Falls Hotel

The Victoria Falls Hotel

The Victoria Falls Hotel times about 6. A great building!

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Pratt and Lambert

Pratt and Lambert

Pratt and Lambert

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More roof details!

More roof details!

Here are some of the many many details on the IM Boren Co roof. The lower roof of course...

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Mini-scene

Mini-scene

I always loved this little scene too. Its at the base of the IM Boren building and is just perfect

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G. Brill Co.

G. Brill Co.

This building was modeled after a mill on John Allen's G&D.

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Over the river...

Over the river...

... and through the Im Boren Co. The double track main disappears into Dovertown here

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Oldtimer

Oldtimer

This was one of the first buildings on the layout.

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Coal Tower

Though this is one of the less commented on structures on the layout (according to George) it's certainly an amazing model.

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Great wall of Manchester

Great wall of Manchester

I love the large buildings. Love em!

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R.U. Bawnagain?

R.U. Bawnagain?

The R.U. Bawnagain structure is another Magnuson kit, expertly redone and weathered

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Flash??

Flash??

Looks a little different with flash right?!

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Pola building

Pola building

This is Pola or Kibri if I recall

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Top of the world to ya!

Top of the world to ya!

You don't see the tops of the buildings much in Manchester because of the valences. But they go all the way up...

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New Billboards

New Billboards

Hmmm... does George like the new Bar Mills Billboards?

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Manchester updates

Manchester updates

More billboards and foliage have been added in Manchester

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Another new billboard

Another new billboard

Another new billboard

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Great scene in South Manchester

Great scene in South Manchester

So much to take in!