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
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
It may not make much sense, but I always liked the water gushing from the side of this building and into the harbor
Shots like this of the Manchester lift bridge make you want to shrink to HO scale and go exploring
Traffic problems on the overpass outside Franklin. There are a ton of vehicles on the layout if you look
Variety is key and this shot shows four types of roofing applied over time. Make your models exist in time- give them history
Darn lighting gets in the way of a perfect shot. Notice the JS-1 pile driver in the harbor
Two of my favorite structures with a great city backdrop. Its always great when the layout can be its own backdrop
See if you can count all of the metal detail castings used on A. Zol. Its a lot!
This whole complex will be removed shortly after this visit, which opens up some new and needed sightlines
This stone arch bridge is a fine example of why I love George's masonry work. I especially like the brick accents
You may recognize Fenstermacher's from a Model Railroader cover. Also check out the interior of the garage in the foreground
Here's a good overview of Dovertown. I think the station and platform were new at the time
This whole complex was removed to improve sight-lines. It did find a new home years later
FSM JS-2. I always loved the mixed media of this kit and I think the stucco looks terrific!
George masterfully blends nature in with structures which gives the layout a realistic setting
This is a CRP kit I believe, expertly done and installed at the throaty of Fillmore Yard
SO much to see here! Structures, vehicles, people, ect etc. Lots of modified Magnuson kits in this shot
Another great scene with FSM 285 Jeffries Point in the foreground (one of my favorite FSM Kits)
A classic station with a great slate roof. I wonder how many figures are in this shot....
Every FSM kit comes with an abundance of great detail castings and Franklin Watchworks is no exception
The color is still off despite my effort to correct it, but the weathering is sublime
I love this scene; so much detail. You can see George switched to one of the glass-making glues instead of using acetate
I count 6 figures in this scene. you? Its hard to tell a story without people
This is the "backside" of Manchester. The bottom rockwork on the Calvary building are from an earlier FSM kit
With this structure gone you can get a better view of the bridge. In the end the structure moved across the layout from here
The Magnuson kit "Burndout's Fireproof Warehouse" makes stealthy appearances all over the F&SM. It's a great casting!
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
Behind the signal tower sits a building made up of pieces from Chippy Hollow
This long wooden structure is full of great detail. All the open windows with curtains blowing are great
This guys' been working on that car for years! I love the metal roofing on this shed
There's a striking similarity to Rollin Sawyer chemical - but not quite. This is hidden on the outskirts of Dovertown
This station was a new addition at the time. More stations meant more passenger operations and would foreshadow changes to come
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
A clear view down the river. This view will eventually include a new double track bridge cutting right through
Another shot (with plexi in the way) of this building that was not meant to be (here)
A fine example of George's painted wall advertising. Also notice the little Atlas shed on the roof
You can also see some of the lighting that started to appear on the layout about this time period
The front of George Bailey's Produce. This one found a home on the layout pretty quickly!
This scene is hidden behind another biding, but I've always liked it~ especially the sign
Another fabulous use of Magnuson's Burndout's kit. With the cornice from the Victoria Falls hotel kit if I recall
I tried to get around the plexi to capture this great scene within a scene. Great brickwork and a prefect little drain pipe
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
Another large structure that wasn't meant to be and would be removed to improve sight lines
Here are some of the many many details on the IM Boren Co roof. The lower roof of course...
I always loved this little scene too. Its at the base of the IM Boren building and is just perfect
... and through the Im Boren Co. The double track main disappears into Dovertown here
Though this is one of the less commented on structures on the layout (according to George) it's certainly an amazing model.
The R.U. Bawnagain structure is another Magnuson kit, expertly redone and weathered
You don't see the tops of the buildings much in Manchester because of the valences. But they go all the way up...
