The Modeler's Forum

The Franklin & South Manchester => The Official F&SM Layout Thread! => Topic started by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:23:54 AM

Title: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:23:54 AM
Finally got a chance to visit the Mecca of model railroading last week and it's taken me the five days since returning home to get my pix properly oriented and labeled.

Why more F&SM pix?  "Why not?" I consider the threads by John and supplemented by Tom and others to be the authoritative go-to sources of information on George's layout. In fact, if it hadn't been for those threads and a couple of contacts with John I would not have been able to accurately organize my pix. Responses from Forumites suggested you can never have too many pictures of the F&SM.

It's interesting to see others' pictures of the layout sometimes even minute differences in angle or perspective reveal previously unnoticed details.

So, with an invitation from John to add mine to the mix, here is a walk-through from Franklin to Fillmore Yard as I experienced it last Saturday.

I did not take any of Muddville and the rest of the "new" section in the entry hall. I don't know why...I think I was so overwhelmed by finally being there that Thom Driggers' warm welcome drew me directly in, passing the shadowbox scenes. Ah, well.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:30:05 AM
This, my first visit to New England, was planned specifically around this open house. Or original travel plans for June were to take a driving trip from San Francisco up the coast to Vancouver. While planning that expedition last winter I got to thinking (maybe it's a middle-age thing), "What if some tragedy like a fire strikes Peabody before I ever got there?" With my wife's support we switched our plans to a driving trip from Bangor southbound, culminating in George's June 17th open house in Peabody. With overnights in Bar Harbor, Rockland Kennebunkport, Rockport MA, and Salem, the last stop was the open house.

If you're planning a visit, a few blocks down from George's and around the corner is a great Italian restaurant called Petrillo's. We did a drive-by of George's on the way to dinner the night before the visit, just to be sure I knew where we were going. It was in the middle of a downpour, but when I saw yellow boxes in an upstairs window I knew we'd found it.

Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:34:38 AM
Also nearby is the delightful Little Depot Diner, which was our breakfast stop the next morning. The proprietor is a hard-core blues aficionado so the place is decked out in blues memorabilia and also has a train running loops around the space. Jaime also recommends the LDD.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:38:20 AM
Then it was on to 49 Main St. It's a pretty nondescript structure but it would be fun to build one (right, Jeff?) and include it in a town scene as a tribute to George's contributions to the hobby. Maybe a visitor or two in the know would recognize its significance?
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:41:06 AM
We were there early and the door was unlocked at 8:45, but the open house starts at 9 and I didn't want to push George and Thom's hospitality. So my wife wandered up the street to get her nails done (after being instructed that she MUST come upstairs to see this after she was done) and I bided (bode?) my time 'til the appointed hour.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:41:58 AM
Where it all happens?
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:43:59 AM
George's casting space is at the other end of the front of the space, by Fillmore Yard. Thom says George has been negotiating for the sale of this equipment now that his retirement decision is final.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:49:13 AM
After a warm greeting by Thom and George, it's 'round the bend and Franklin hits you in all its super-detailed glory. It was a treat to meet Dan ("Raymo"), taking in the scene. While there Dan presented George with another completed vehicle. It was immediately placed on the overpass into Franklin.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:55:07 AM
We'll wander through Franklin and Rocky Point without needless narration...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:59:46 AM
By the way, if any pix are placed in the wrong location please feel free to chime in and I'll correct my files.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:08:16 AM
I've used place names as they appear in the MRH layout plan posted in John's thread.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:18:34 AM
...and down to the water at Rocky Point. Next we'll move on into Belverton.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: GPdemayo on June 24, 2017, 08:30:25 AM
Looks like you had a great time Dave.....thanks for posting the pictures. :)
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:33:05 AM
Glad you find the posts worthwhile, Greg, and thanks for visiting. It was the highlight of my New England trip, for sure.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: S&S RR on June 24, 2017, 08:46:16 AM
Quote from: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:43:59 AM
George's casting space is at the other end of the front of the space, by Fillmore Yard. Thom says George has been negotiating for the sale of this equipment now that his retirement decision is final.


This picture makes it official - George is retired - he always had his casting equipment covered up during open houses in the past.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: S&S RR on June 24, 2017, 08:47:03 AM
Dave


Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. I have spotted some changes.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:53:34 AM
Thanks for inviting me to post mine in the F&SM section. I found locating and labeling a couple of them challenging because it seems they'd been moved. George is keeping us on our toes!  For those in the peanut gallery, I had a heckuva time locating a couple structures I'd shot. John was able to bail me out on those.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: jrmueller on June 24, 2017, 09:52:45 AM
Dave - It looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing Jim
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 10:09:28 AM
I sure did, Jim. Thanks for visiting. Posting the next section soon.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 11:33:28 AM
Sometimes its tough to determine the change from one place name to the next. These are the final ones of Franklin/Rocky Point.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 11:39:51 AM
Belverton is the long, open stretch between Franklin and Chesterville.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Janbouli on June 24, 2017, 01:58:54 PM
Quote from: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:34:38 AM
Also nearby is the delightful Little Depot Diner, which was our breakfast stop the next morning. The proprietor is a hard-core blues aficionado so the place is decked out in blues memorabilia and also has a train running loops around the space. Jaime also recommends the LDD.

Looks like a Dutch flag on the LDD, is the owner a Hollander  ;)
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 02:16:03 PM
Dunno, Jan, but you've got a Dutchman here...Dave K. "Kruiswyk".
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 02:20:09 PM
Entering Beaver Meadow.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 02:23:11 PM
Wolf Hollow.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 07:57:42 PM
Burley Farm.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:18:47 PM
Mayfield.  Avram's was my first FSM build.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:20:33 PM
...Mayfield...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:21:34 PM
...Mayfield...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:23:33 PM
...and my last for Mayfield...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 08:26:44 PM
Mount Allen...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 09:09:24 PM
And on into Colbert Yard...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 09:10:21 PM
Colbert Yard...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 24, 2017, 09:11:03 PM
...and heading out of Colbert Yard.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: richbeau on June 25, 2017, 07:19:12 AM
Saw and spoke with Tom (tct855), Karl (postalkarl), Frank (fbernard65) and Dan (Raymo) but for some reason (at least my old brain does not remember) I must have missed you.  >:(

Cool photos! Glad you enjoyed the visit.
--Rich
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 07:32:42 AM
These were last week, Rich...6/17/17.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 08:33:15 AM
As we move out toward the end of the yard we get into the Bedford Falls area. As a structure guy I think this is my favorite locale on the layout.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 08:36:52 AM
...Bedford Falls...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 08:37:58 AM
...Bedford Falls.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: richbeau on June 25, 2017, 08:48:05 AM
Quote from: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 07:32:42 AM
These were last week, Rich...6/17/17.

Duhh!
Told ya my old brain misfires!  :o
--Rich
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 08:55:31 AM
Sorry I missed y'alls yesterday, Rich. Here are my snaps of Dovertown. I would guess that this is probably the most-oft photographed on the F&SM, perhaps closely followed by Franklin.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 08:56:59 AM
...Dovertown...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 08:57:56 AM
...and leaving Dovertown...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 09:00:57 AM
Northfield River...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 09:04:27 AM
Port Harbor...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 09:16:51 AM
Found one more...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:00:11 AM
South Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:01:45 AM
Busy place...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:02:49 AM
...South Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:03:55 AM
...South Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:05:04 AM
...South Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:07:25 AM
...South Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:09:07 AM
...South Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:09:47 AM
...and the last for South Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: PaulS on June 25, 2017, 10:12:59 AM
Dave,
Thanks for all the additional photos.  Interesting to view from individual perspectives; same subject but differing views.
And you have some great shots as memories of your time in Peabody.
Thanks again,
--Paul
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 10:27:06 AM
My pleasure, Paul. Thanks for looking in. We're almost to the end of the layout (at least until George expands it! 😁).
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: tom.boyd.125 on June 25, 2017, 01:01:54 PM
Dave,
Your pics are much better than anything that was taken on my visits. The detail shows up really well on the photos you posted.
Know you skipped the Mudville area so you could return again soon.  ;D... Keep the shots coming...like seeing the layout views from different angles from your camera.
Great job sir !
Tommy
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 01:06:28 PM
Gee, Tom...guess I'll have to go back.  8) Thanks for your comments. I just took these with my iPhone 6. Cheers! 👍🏻
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: donatode on June 25, 2017, 01:52:24 PM
Thanks Dave.  Your shots give a better "overall" view.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 03:00:52 PM
Glad you found it worthwhile, Donato. Thanks for stopping in.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: bagman on June 25, 2017, 05:51:33 PM
Quote from: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 01:06:28 PM
Gee, Tom...guess I'll have to go back.  8) Thanks for your comments. I just took these with my iPhone 6. Cheers! 👍🏻


I'm always amazed at the quality of photos that can be produced out of the latest iPhones.
Certainly comparable to a more expensive SLR.
Combined with the apps you can download these days you can produce some really nice looking photos.


Well done Dave on posting a superb set of F&SM photos. They capture the layout perfectly and as previous guys have noted, similar overall views but taken from how you viewed the layout.
Really nicely done !


Bagman

Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 25, 2017, 06:21:04 PM
Thanks kindly. It's getting so's when traveling I typically leave my SLR at home...heavy, cumbersome, and always worrying about keeping an eye on it.

I think there's dissertation material here somewheres...personality types as revealed in an F&SM visitor's photos.  :P. Thanks for visiting!
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: S&S RR on June 26, 2017, 08:35:46 PM
David


Thanks again for taking the time to post your pictures.  I have noticed a number of areas where George has changed things since our visit in 2016..  Take a look at all the details that he has added to the green drawbridge in South Manchester.  Great work George! The fact that the covering was off the casting equipment is a key indicator that George has retired.  I will not be surprised when an addition to the F&SM occupies that space.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:05:31 PM
I'll study that drawbridge later this evening. The changes are interesting...no moss grows under George! I've got my remaining pix to post and then this thread is a wrap. Thanks again, John, for your exhaustive index of all the structures!
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:10:26 PM
North Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: richbeau on June 26, 2017, 09:15:32 PM
Nice photos. Well composed and thoughtfully selected. It's amazing the quality coming out of mobile phones these days (though the work happens 6" behind it  8)).
BTW George has been cleaning up those streets lately.
--Rich
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:25:55 PM
...North Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:28:25 PM
...North Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:30:09 PM
...and my last of North Manchester.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:33:41 PM
Manchester...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:35:34 PM
Fillmore Yard...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
George is a true gentleman and a good sport. He wasn't thrilled about posing for yet another picture with a visitor but he played along. Thanks for your hospitality, George and Thom.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 09:38:52 PM
Happy guy.  Fini.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on June 26, 2017, 10:23:14 PM
Glad to hear you had a good visit.  It truly is more impressive in person.  Thanks for the tour!


Jeff
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 26, 2017, 10:49:17 PM
Glad you found it worthwhile, Jeff. Thanks for visiting.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Janbouli on June 27, 2017, 03:12:41 AM
Thank you Dave, there can never be too many photo's of George's layout.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 27, 2017, 07:11:07 AM
My pleasure. My small contribution here makes me especially thankful for the time and effort John has put into his comprehensive, official "From the Air" thread.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: jrmueller on June 27, 2017, 10:11:15 AM
I can't wait until my layout is finished so I can start fine tuning it. Good luck with that.  Jim
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: ACL1504 on June 27, 2017, 11:34:04 AM
Dave,

I'm a little late to your photo party but I'm getting a great look.

Very nice job on your F&SM photo essay. Very well done. Thanks very much.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on June 27, 2017, 04:29:55 PM
Glad to see you up and about, Tom. The work you and John put into your threads has been incredibly
valuable.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on March 17, 2019, 07:45:07 AM
We're all set for a return visit 6/22/19. Got over a dozen folks from as far away as Colorado joining us for a get-together. Jump in!
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: S&S RR on March 17, 2019, 05:33:35 PM
Quote from: Janbouli on June 27, 2017, 03:12:41 AM
Thank you Dave, there can never be too many photo's of George's layout.


Amen
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dan_Pugatch on June 24, 2019, 12:09:23 PM
Visiting the FS&M on Saturday was beyond amazing. Thank you Dave for organizing the trip. It was really great to meet many of the modelers I have been following on Facebook and Instagram for years and make new friends as well. 

Attached is my favorite scene of the layout, as I posted on FB "Like an old clipper ship captain, I am married to the sea"

Until the next meetup don't get derailed!
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: ACL1504 on June 30, 2019, 01:46:53 PM
I'm curious, did George or Hal run any trains while everyone visited the open house?

Thom Driggers ran trains for us when we had our private open house tour in 2016. Thanks to John Siekirk, we were at the F&SM that day for the better part of 7 hours.


Inquiring minds and all that!

Tom  ;D
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Raymo on June 30, 2019, 03:38:24 PM
George ran the railroad last weekend Tom. Thom was one of those that were absent.
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: ACL1504 on June 30, 2019, 04:15:09 PM
Thanks Raymo for the response.

Tom  ;D
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Raymo on June 30, 2019, 04:43:01 PM
No problem.. ;)
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: tct855 on July 10, 2019, 07:42:45 PM
Yes,
   Thom was absent.  Thom was in Harrisburg, PA. training and honing his new craft of working for Amtrak as a locomotive/coach car electrical troubleshooter on 25k va.  Keeping America coming and going on Americas rail -one engine/coach at a time.  I will complete my 6 months training in the first week of October this year, then look out America!

I'm sorry I couldn't be at the F&SM/forrum open house running up to 8 trains at a time for everyone, but just like George I've got a railroad to run also.  Yes, I've never thought I'd be working for Amtrak and yes, learning so much about electric passenger service.  Not bad for a guy who spent his whole life working on and learning about diesel freight service.

Glad to see everyone who attended the open house thought that it was worth the trip.  Like I've always said, even a bad day at the f&sm-still beats a very good day anywhere else and oh, don't forget, never stick anything in your ear-except your elbow!  Just sayin'.  Thanx Thom...
Title: Re: Open House 6-7-17
Post by: Dave K. on July 10, 2019, 07:50:43 PM
Good to here from you, Thom.👍🏻