Visit to George Selios' Franklin and South Manchester Model Railroad (shot in 4K)

This past weekend I took a road trip to Salem and Peabody, MA with my good friend Karl to see the F&SM model RR for the first time (first time for me, that is).

[@jamesthomas700]

This man is the MICHAELANGELO OF model railroading! It is a shame that this form of kinetic art is not recognized or appreciated by more.

[@matrags]

Agreed, This is a work of art.

[@emintey]

This is not something that saves the world, or helps anyone materially but it is a little world that we can all marvel at and dream in, the creators are to be congratulated.

[@tsitracommunications2884]

Michaelangelo, yup (and we don't mean the turtle) Even Rod Stewart saw that and claimed that was the inspiration for HIS layout

[@goldtutch]

Yeh man if i could do this for a living ide be a happy man!

[@crossbow3539]

Iain Botham or 4D because it moves too

[@sharonolsen6579]

It is mind numbing to try to calculate the uncountable hours, the incredible talent, perseverance and just plain hard work that went into the making and maintenance of this outstanding body of work. I am in complete and utter awe !

[@danielwanner8708]

I still have the magazines that featured the F&SM . And in fact the hours are countable . In one article time to build is discussed . The pace at which Mr. Selio works is truly extraordinary . Of course the detail and workmanship makes it even more impressive . I agree with you ,I will never achieve that level of perfection .

[@orangemanonsteroids8569]

Only person that ever did was John Allen with Gorre and Daphetid.

[@bxjibaro73]

That makes 2 of us because I agree 👍 💯

[@phobos2k2]

I've been watching a bunch of these "layout" videos in a row. This one just blows the rest out of the water. The detail is staggering! The artistry involved here is tremendous. Just beautiful!

[@mrehollis6288]

I had to find an old Webster to find the right words to describe this master piece.I'm still looking!!

[@graffitijunkiejfk]

MY GOD! I'm literally speechless. Best model railway I've ever seen...

[@arunmrao2]

Yeah - its one of the best and most famous - Selios made a killing selling his kits as Fine Scale Miniatures (FSM) - well deserved for his brilliance

[@gc2o4tom81]

Agreed 110%.... this blows them away in every detail. Simply genius.

[@mogul264]

If not for those 'giants' wandering about, it seems like a REAL old-timey city!

[@robcook3954]

Wow

[@jbonegw]

Absolutely amazing. Very genuine question. If you want to change or modify something in the middle or obscure corner of this how in the world do you even access it without destroying something?

[@fermiticus4034]

Well, there's half an hour I won't get back....and I'm not mad about it at all!!! AWESOME!!!

[@saltierdog777]

I'm 70 and I've NEVER saw a model rr so captivating and natural looking. Nothing on the layout really looks out of place. Utterly amazing.

[@alenaxp]

This is truly amazing!

[@MarkInLA]

On a scale of 1: 87, I give it an 86.5 !!!

[@vwgolfer1873]

Some of the best building work ive ever seen on a layout. Massive amount of work there

[@twarski]

Beautiful layout...deserves to be professionally photographed.

[@dgwachtel]

Absolutely amazing, a breathtaking layout. I'd love to see a cab ride through this one. It would be worth watching multiple times. I'm back (sort of) in the hobby I left in 1962. Model railroading has gone a long, long way since then. Thanks for posting the video of this incredible work of art and craftsmanship. - Dave

[@246spyder]

Oh. please. someone do a total cab-view, please.

[@emintey]

I watched one of these cab view videos with my little 4 yr old granddaughter who was absolutely transfixed, it was a joy to watch her.

[@robrobbins574]

A cab ride PLEASE!

[@donnebes9421]

Yeah so haven’t the prices.

[@dgwachtel]

@@donnebes9421 Yeah. I compared prices from the fifties to today's prices but it's not as bad as it looks. I think the main thing is regular peoples disposable income has fallen a lot. That being said DCC and sound is quite expensive. Code 83 nickle silver flex track is a bit pricey as is trucks and Kaydee couplers. Rolling stock can be had at reasonable cost from ebay or thrift shops. I got three blueprint series reefer kits from ebay for about twenty bucks. It takes awhile to build one but the results are fantastic. I only built one so far and still need to decal an weather it. My two original DC Athearn F7's run great after mechanical refurbishment which required a lot of shell repair as did the rolling stock. (Some of the restoration work is up on my KZbin site). Installing LED headlights was very inexpensive. I restored my Mantua "Mikado" to operating condition but it requires more work, installation of LED lighting and some detailing to make a half way decent looking model, even though the boiler and valve gear is not true to an actual heavy Mike. I had to replace the original worn out and bent up valve gear and broken "cow catcher". I also had to get another pilot just to replace a missing spring. All in all I probably spent fifty bucks to get it running. My buddy who lives in S.C brings the occasional HO piece he gets for just a couple of bucks at flea markets. A "looks good at a distance" four car Amtrack "Train set" that is shown in my video introduction, and an A+B F7 duo in New Haven livery (It's missing one stirrup step - I'll pull a mold from one of the other locos and cast a new step to replace it when I get a chance), and a very detailed flatcar that models an early piggyback rig. The F7's are "Hi-F" rubber band drive. With tuning they can be made to run as slow as ten or so scale MPH. All of the open frame motors draw current that is at the high end of DCC compatibility so replacing them with can motors might make DCC conversion possible. Also there isn't a lot of room in the shells and rumor has it that the dimensions are incorrect. Parts and engineering to replace the belt drives is problematic though so I don't know if it is worth the effort. They all might end up being "hanger queens". Once in awhile a decent DC/DCC ready diesel locomotive can be found for under a hundred bucks. I missed out on a good deal while dithering about spending the money and still regret not pulling the trigger on that one. One of my cars from the fifties is still being sold today at a whopping big price of around thirty five bucks. At 10x the fifties price the cost is not really that much higher. I purchased a box of miscellaneous HO stuff from a small computer shop. The owner got them as a part of an estate sale. Lots of sectional track and a few toy train transformers, one of which I use to run replacement switch machines. Included were a bunch of those horrible Atlas turnouts which can be made to work with a lot of effort. I use Atlas electrical switches left over from the fifties to toggle the two turnouts that I have installed in my test layout. I haven't found any cheap flex track though. I had three lengths left over from the fifties. Sectional track can be converted into short pieces of flex track if necessary. Not having the time or resources to build a decent layout right now, my cobbled together layout will have to do for now. I've had a lot of fun doing the restorations, building the kit and getting the test layout up and running, as well as making videos of the process. Real life has interfered so I haven't done any model work for awhile but hope to get back to it soon. I have a lot of video footage that needs to be put together and uploaded though. -dave

[@miguelayala428]

makes me wish I could shrink myself to a tiny person so I could walk around the entire thing. Amazing layout.

[@Hallands.]

This is so beautifully crafted it surpasses everything I've seen. It is deserving of rewards and probably preservation, too, since it look historically correct. I'm at a loss for words, it's that good! Could we have a cabview tour of it all, please?

[@jayray0721]

This is not a model railroad, This is a model masterpiece. The time and effort put into this creation must have been incredible. How long did it take to do this? I have a small layout 4 X 8 that I can't even get started. I'm always trying to find time, never seem to have it. lol. Thank you so much for posting.

[@geezer652]

+jayray0721 - ".......trying to find time, never seem to have it"? Maybe it's because You actually have a life.

[@tomsvenkesen2476]

jayray0721 masterpiece

[@emintey]

@@geezer652 And exactly what do you do that is more important? Respectfully.

[@carvinlambert6899]

your mind is a Garden your thoughts are the seeds you can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.

[@davidearea242]

@@carvinlambert6899 I know you tried hard, but I just have to say, your attempt at poetry, is really quite gay.

[@patmorris123]

He might be the best in the world. This will need to be in a museum one day.

[@johnlebon2651]

top notch the best I have every seen I couldn't stop watching it, so much details, very very awesome . Thank you John

[@user-in9xo6zo9p]

thank god for computers and video games, that the kids of today are unable to be creative of any thing like this. My grandson of 4 is only interested in sitting in front of a screen watching tv or playing games on a laptop. this is a dying craft, which I as a 54 year old man still enjoy enormously, sadly my set will gather dust when Im long gone...... :(

[@12345682900]

Without a doubt, George's layout is THEE benchmark for all train layouts around the world regardless of scale or the technology involved. A miniature masterpiece by any measure.

[@GaryHardin]

Absolutely mesmerized by this layout. Couldn't take my eyes off of the entire vlog. The depth and the attention to detail is just amazing.

[@tomsvenkesen2476]

Gary Hardin topp of the line.beatefull. cant not speake.the best.

[@jazzman1626]

Apart from absolutely everything else, I love the faded adverts on the buildings.

[@LouAdipietro]

AMAZING.... question how big is the dimensions of this space??? what a dream to have that space

[@panamafred1]

Spectacular. The color palette is so subdued and perfectly sets the stage for the time. I love the touches of decay that indicate a passage of time that was not entirely beneficial to all.

[@rexxthunder]

How did he get all these expenditures past his wife?

[@WHJeffB]

Owns/runs a model RR kit manufacturing business...

[@dwightbernheimer331]

She's buried beneath the layout...

[@robertnielsen2461]

If any of you have a Fine Scale Miniatures kit on your layout then you might see why his wife is supportive.What wife wouldn't.?

[@zombeemom]

The Sistine Chapel of dioramas...absolutely speechless 😶

[@davegibson9641]

I am a model builder. I’ve built them for engineers, architects, model train people, and war gamers. This is a spectacular work of art. The effort and attention to details is evident.

[@hannub]

This is by far the best layout I have ever seen:)

[@dahur]

I don't know how anyone could build a more realistic city than this owner has. It's so easy to immerse yourself into this 1920's recreational masterpiece. On the close ups, I found myself wanting to wander those streets. Go into those stores. Touch the brick and mortar with my hands. It's just wonderful, and very well done. Something cool to add: A recording in the background of city noises. Kids yelling...playing in the street. An occasional ambulance or cop siren. Cars running. Maybe a jackhammer going with two guys digging up the street. People talking. Just a bunch of city noises.

[@mikeedwards2621]

It’s almost too vast to comprehend...Unbelievable . What an achievement of passion and talent. WOW!!!

[@timothykuring3016]

It's the sort of thing that makes me wish I had ten lives. This was one of my main enthusiasms when I was a child, but it had to be set aside for more mobile and economic enthusiasms when I went off to college.

[@fineartproductions3681]

George Sellios is the best in the world. I’ve followed this layout for many years. No one comes close to this work of art. The detail, weathering, story telling scenes, structures, period vehicles, people, track work, everything about this layout is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. One day this will be in the Smithsonian.

[@UTtherapy]

I am at a loss for words! Absolutely stunning craftsmanship and vision. Master modelmaker!

[@bleuShoErn]

This should be considered and appreciated as an art form. It's sad to think a painting or sculpture commands so much attention and such a creation as this is overlooked except in the eyes of those young at heart.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

His layout scenery and structures have a real Gorre and Daphetid RR feel.

[@DiggerEvans]

I never tire of seeing this awesome layout it is without a doubt one of the greatest layouts in the world today truly inspirational

[@pux0rb]

I love miniature worlds. It feels like I could actually visit this place and its only a diorama. Incredible detail work on everything. Especially the roof details and utilities. I love how everything sags and has a worn look to it; not an easy thing to accomplish.

[@daviddryden8088]

I never tire of looking at this masterpiece.

[@ryansantos9732]

Wow this is a wow, every details from buildings to slopping roads, mountains or even billboard it seems im in that place, that masterpiece it leads into perfection..credit to those person who made this. so much hardwork to put in it..

[@44492611]

Great video! Definitely a favorite layout. It made me laugh to hear that trains were getting lost on the huge layout.

[@Dundonian1981]

Random video of the day turns out to be absolutely brilliant, this is literally so good you couldn't describe how brilliant it is in a paragraph. The detail is amazing and the amount of hours this must have taken is gobsmacking. fantastic well done to those who created it.

[@dropsboms6153]

stunningly beautiful im gobsmacked, stunned even. talent? no! its a gift, i cannot articulate h9w EPIC this is, i would fly to the usa just to look at this in a heart beat

[@Hels_Angels]

Looks like the backdrop of a big-time movie back in the days before they used CGI. Utterly breathtaking! I don't want to know how many years of hard work and ingenuity are behind this fantastic model.

[@rvnmedic1968]

Fantastic! A good background on how long it took him to make this, miles of track, etc. Also would have loved to see the control panels for all the switches and accessories. It would be great if you can update the video description and include these items.

[@Armand1970ful]

I have seen this lay-out some years ago in MR. Truly a masterpiece.....

[@wolfpack4694]

Spectacular! This is a MR I would love to see in chapters that focus on a particular aspect, such as benchwork, ambient lighting, structures, track plan, etc. the list goes on and on. So much learning to transfer! Wow.

[@davidrice2862]

Absolutely fantastic, I've never seen such a detailed city layout and all seemingly authentic to 1932 (my guess).

[@Crewsy]

The Diesel engines say otherwise.

[@trickywho7463]

I think I saw some 30’s era Fords😩

[@richwhite4331]

What a BLAST Just watching and enjoying this work of ART!!! The Detail is Just Incredible, the amount of work that has gone into this layout is hard to imagine!! WOW

[@abundantharmony]

Someone should make a street view stop motion story in this town. This is the most detailed model I've ever seen. I'm totally blown away. I want to live in there.

[@colindavenport2196]

WOW! This model is insane! But it really floats my boat, BIG TIME! Great model railway, detail on this layout is absolutely incredible & amazing. Like other folks, I have never seen a layout like this on camera before. Very impressive George. You Take Care! my friend & of your family too. STAY SAFE! Best regards from, Colin, Aberdeen (city) Scotland, U.K. :-)

[@kentnottingham9635]

Ok, this is SPECTACULAR! I’ve always been more of a natural setting (mountains rivers etc) kinna guy, living and growing up in Oregon. The city/burg/outskirts theme is SO GREAT! My hat’s off to you!

[@rayreyes5405]

Stunning. This is really next level. Outstanding work.

[@rg1809]

The best counter-argument to prototypical modeling I know of. Of course, if you don't have the artistic eye that George has, perhaps one should stick with prototype modeling. There is a video out there showing the F & SM in its infancy. George's vision, while inspired by some, was radically different. The commentator of that video started off with, "The buildings ARE the scenery." I was amazed then and I am still amazed today at George's vision, not just the overall layout, but for each and every building on the layout. I wish he would do 'how to" videos.

[@carrollshelby8690]

Dial back the weathering 50% and it's fantastic. As is, it's post apocalyptic. Even the vegetation is weathered. If you drive through bombed out, abandoned parts of Detroit, the leaves are GREEN.

[@SmartassX1]

The cars and houses and everything looks like 1920s, but then there's two 1950s (or later) looking diesel locomotives. Also, it seems like about 10% of the cars are 1930s.

[@ironjaw333]

The creative touch is strong with this immense diorama, truly majestic.

[@cbwagner7269]

Why doesn't someone stick a GoPro on the front of a train so we can get the 'engineers perspective'?

[@hovermotion]

Stunning. ..as Matt said the best I've seen..Looks so realistic. ..

[@mightylonesome9426]

Like looking at a photograph of an actual cityscape. Tremendous artistic accomplishment.

[@hansvandijk1487]

Incredible....! Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱.

[@garfieldsmith332]

This layout belongs in a museum with other masterpieces. It is a work of love.

[@pierreklee7490]

Absolutely amazing!!!!! Reminds me of Rod Stewart's layout.

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

Rod Stewart is a fan of George Sellios'. He got his inspiration from Mr. Sellios' masterpiece.

[@pierreklee7490]

ahhh! interesting!!!

[@brunoskorniak9722]

Wow wow wow!! I first learned of Mr Selios and his layout when i got started in the hobby 30 years ago and picked up my first issue of Model Railroader magazine. It was amazing then and still is now! I have never seen a video of it thank you so much for posting! Truly incredible work!😲

[@RobbieSongwriter]

If layouts were rated like art museums, this is up there with The Louvre. Some of the finest scenic modeling I've ever seen. The density of the city scape is mind bogelling. Everything is so meticulously detailed and weathered. On a scale of 1 to 10, this is a 15!

[@briansmith8967]

Absolutely beautiful! This is in the class of John Armstrong’s Gorre & Daphetid!

[@vbaglivio]

Every view from every vantage point is a beautifully crafted epic scene!

[@bendickmann5460]

I have NEVER seen such artistic craftsmanship. I dont know how to express my amazement. WOW!

[@terrygarvey7129]

This is so beautiful I think I’m gonna cry

[@ScarabChris]

8:51 ...what happen to that guy? Murder by the local gangsters or a guy that simply didn't want to go on? Either way, horrible way to go hanging that high from a trestle.

[@mark-1234]

I just love it when everything's appropriately weathered, including the trains. This one is a masterpiece! You could spend a week looking at it and still not see it all.

[@trekkeruss]

In my opinion, it is over-weathered. The world is not only a dozen shades of brown. Yes, there are bits of color here and there, but as Oggy says, shouldn't there be things in new of better condition? Why does everything look the same? Not saying this isn't a masterpiece. It is stunning in scope and detail. But at the same time, it is not realistic. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@ChuckMcC]

Actually it's a model City with some trains running through it LOL

[@carbonfighter9481]

Das ist wirklich nicht mehr normal! So ein realistische Modelleisenbahn hab ich noch nie gesehen! Es ist einfach nur wunderschön! 😍❤

[@davidegiancristofaro5412]

I think IT is the most beautiful diorama I've ever seen!

[@FGg503]

What an absolute masterpiece! Defies imagination!

[@s.w.3604]

Incredible attention to detail! The best I've ever seen! Amazing!

[@vincentvandersluijs2247]

The detail of this modelworld is simply mind blowing. I can't believe it. Could watch this for weeks.

[@paululyatt7470]

Stunning weathering. most realistic I've seen

[@stevenallenedwards8965]

This is one heck of a gigantic layout, which a colossal work of art.

[@Dundonian1981]

Random video of the day turns out to be absolutely brilliant, this is literally so good you couldn't describe how brilliant it is in a paragraph. The detail is amazing and the amount of hours this must have taken is gobsmacking. fantastic well done to those who created it.

[@parkerwhite8289]

It's like a movie set for Godzilla. Amazing work!

[@samdean5465]

Anyone that's done 1/10,000 of what's been done here, wouldn't for an instant criticize any portion of this magnificent layout... Just any thing from the tracks, to the buildings, to the details is an extreme amount of work, dedication and artistic ability. The stuff dreams are made of. Thanks for posting this work of art.

[@Spur_N]

Thank you for uploading this amazing video. I enjoyed every minute of it.👍

[@paulkennedy2577]

OK! I'm not a railway modeler, but this IS a thing of incredible beauty! incredible detail and depth, much respect.

[@remymorin3186]

Vos réseaux the Big gigantesques très jolies et beaucoup de boulot

[@bojames3677]

best one I've seen.. hot damn!

[@Z-Man1973]

Absolutely amazing modeling. I hope to someday get to MA to see it in person. Words can't describe the level of modeling that went into building the F&SM

[@petekraemer4011]

Is there a man who hung himself in a suicide attempt from the bridge at 8:45?

[@markschumacher5728]

There aren't sufficient words, simply an amazing layout. The weathering and scratch building is remarkable.

[@MarkInLA]

Yes, this IS a marvel of the highest order !! Another RR with similar detail is "Bill Kachel's Cosmopolitan Division of the PRR". I warn you, It too will blow you away !

[@gilpit581]

What an unbelievably beautiful bit of modeling. Bravo!

[@thomasthedoubter6813]

If this is the work of a single person, it must have taken half a lifetime at least. Even if the trains were mere props, this would be a breathtaking diorama. Such reverence for realism and attention to detail! The creator's painting and aesthetic skill are first-rate as well, and his technique for reproducing rocky surfaces and flowing water would be worthy of a KZbin series.

[@paulsccna2964]

Amazing! This gets 11 stars on a scale from 1 to 10. Just stunning. It is three-dimensional art. The attention to detail, even the back, wall scenes are to scale and trick the eye into making a realistic backdrop.

[@TheGoose51]

This is the most cools modal railway I’ve ever seen so cool I want to see more of it.

[@croasdail]

Beyond amazing. Love the attention to detail. Thanks for sharing.

[@Loulovesspeed]

A guy creates an incredible build like this one has to be committed to living there for the remainder of his life. Fantastic scenery and integration! I can't begin to imagine the skill, the time, the construction, the detailing and weathering committed to making this incredible build! Bravo, you are a Master!

[@scottgingras9828]

I'm into the more modern era modeling. But I am a awe at this masterpiece. Awesome layout!

[@casmaran545]

Truly artwork and paying attention to detail at it's finest. That is what I would like my layout to aspire to.

[@tinderbox218]

Not only is the size of it mind-blowing, but any one of these building and the little scenes around it is a work of art in and of itself. And there are dozens on top of dozens. Incredible imagination, creativity, and detail.

[@PalladiumMC]

I cannot remember that I rewind and pause a video that much before - highly impressive, extraordinary and w*** the f*** are the first three ones I thought of after watching this. applause for this work

[@timcruse9054]

You look at one shot and are blown away by the absolute brilliance and then the camera moves on and your even more blown away again and so it goes on, the rocks, the trees, the water on the harbour the weathering the bridges the buildings the design of the layout itself is absolutely phenomenal! I had to watch it three times back to back.

[@goldtutch]

wow it is amazingly detailed especially for such small scale. Its master crafted.

[@morbius109]

If I visited there, I’d stay all day and take my time studying every stunning detail. This is awesome!