Hi from Belgium,
We all have seen in the “trackside photos” of may 2009 MR a train running on a bridge over the beautifully port of “Manchester” on the FSM.
In the last article published about the FSM in MR, Mister Sellios seemed to want to make some changes in the town of Manchester.
Looking at the published photo there are big changes!
Is some more photos available or some other news about the changes?
Marc
Had the chance to visit the FSM for the first time about two weeks ago and all I can say is WOW! Talking to one of the regular helpers on the layout he did say that Mr Selios has and is eliminating some of the tunnels so that you can view trains for longer periods. Nothing appeared to be under construction while I was there.
I’m glad for the chance to comment on the layout. It is one of the few layouts that I’ve seen that actually looks better in person than in the photographs. I think this is because the colors are more muted in person and you can really appreciate both the subtle color differences as well as all the subtle details. Also you get an appreciation for how consistent the theme of the layout is throughout.
By the way, though I did not speak to him that much as he was busy enjoying his layout, Mr Selios was very gracious and willing to offer information.
Anyone who has the chance to see it should not pass it up. I have family about an hour away and if I should be up when the layout is open, I will definitely go again.
Mark
That is one layout I’d drive across the country to see. Luckily it’s not quite that far, as I’m down in PA. From the first photos I ever saw in MR, the F&SM was one of those “Wow, wish I could do that”. ANd while George is more than willing to share his techniques with anyone who cares ask, I still see it as soemthign beyond my skill level. Of course, I also thought I’d never handlay a turnout, and I’m makign progress towards that, albeit with the help of Fast Tracks tooling.
As I understood it from the last writeup, some of the changes being made were to actually REDUCE the level of detailing in Manchester, and also get rid of some of the taller buildings that acted as a view block - i think that was done a while ago now. It made sense when all there was was the original Manchester part of the layout, but now that it’s so much bigger it probably makes more sense visually without the giant tall buildings down the middle.
–Randy