If you you're not a fan of clutter or dilapidation, the two FSM kits that still show well are my two favorites- "The Depot" and "The Signal Tower:"
https://www.trainz.com/products/fine-scale-miniatures-110-ho-scale-the-depot-building-kit
https://brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/106102/HO-1-87-FSM-30-Craftsman-Signal-Tower-2-5-x-5-Structure-Nicely-Built
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
MidlandPacificIf you you're not a fan of clutter or dilapidation, the two FSM kits that still show well are my two favorites- "The Depot" and "The Signal Tower:"
Thank you for the response. Is one of those your favorite FSM kit?
Her are pictures of #110 The Depot and #30 The Signal Tower:
I think too many people think that FSM kits are cluttered more than they actually are. I think the first "big clutter kit" was Ezra Cooper's Garage. It was just a box of sticks and heavy box of castings.
-Photographs by Kevin Parson
Unfortunately the detail castings in this kit were repetitive, and did not include details that were approriate for an actual garage.
The most cluttered of any FSM kit was Chippy Hollow Hardware. Basically and small cast metal building, some sticks, and a ton of random castings. I think this is one of the kits people think of when considering FSM models, and not all the beautiful reallistic kits they made.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I would say one of the two is. I really like two story stations, but I also like interlocking. If most model railroaders are imaginary engineers, I suppose I would say I am an imaginary block operator.
I only own two of the kits in my own top ten list.
Of the ten kits I own, here is how I ranked them:
1: 195 Barnstead Lumber Company 1981
2: 190 R. Schramm Manufacturing 1980
11: 180 Sand House 1979
15: 115 Coal And Sand Shed 1973
19: 205 Wilfred J. Brambell Company 1982
24: 160 Logging Repair Shed 1977
58: 130 Ezra Cooper's Garage 1974
61: 150 Old Time Freight House 1976
65: 155 Coal Dock 1976
66: 035 Two Stall Enginehouse 1968
It seems I need to rethink my list. The Old Time Freight Shed should not be below Ezra Cooper's Garage.
drgwcs I have always thought that a great deal of the attraction to the FSM kits was the huge amounts of detail parts included, all unique. In 2018 after FSM had closed George Sellios had licensed a company named railroad kits to make the detail castings provided they did not make the kits. I had bought a few at the National Narrow Gauge convention in 2020. Not sure of address and it does not appear they have a working website. Jim
I have always thought that a great deal of the attraction to the FSM kits was the huge amounts of detail parts included, all unique. In 2018 after FSM had closed George Sellios had licensed a company named railroad kits to make the detail castings provided they did not make the kits. I had bought a few at the National Narrow Gauge convention in 2020. Not sure of address and it does not appear they have a working website.
Jim
rrebellNo, the guy who bought the company from Sellios for Railroad Kits was Jimmy and he bought the buisness and last I heard still sells the detail parts sepeately.
A man named Bill owns RailroadKits now. This is the company that sells the Fine Scale Miniatures castings seperately.
He also owns Microlumina.
I have his contact information if you need it.
I have none of the kits, but I have visited the Franklin and South Manchester railroad model that was built by George Selios. It's everything everyone says it is. It's a perfect stage for his highly detailed models. Beautiful work. I spent hours just looking at it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley I have visited the Franklin and South Manchester railroad model that was built by George Selios. It's everything everyone says it is.
That must have been wonderful.
I doubt I will ever see it. It is looking less and less like I will ever make that planned trip to the Northeast.
Watch out for deals that look too good to be true.
This looks like a good price and a great kit, but...
The kit is missing the main building, some detail parts, and the instructions. It also has some parts from other kits mixed in.
The description in the auction states:
"This item's Condition is Used: Model kit was bought in a collection; it is complete with moderate shelf wear."
This is misleading and completely innacurate. Someone who does not know what should be in this kit might be fooled.
Somebody bought the kit above. I hope they inspect it and return it. There is no excuse for marketing that kit as complete.
Some of the Fine Scale detail castings are a bit weird.
I am not sure about that anvil up there on that wooden shelf. I don't think that is safe at all.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
Also, some of the barrel stacks don't look quite right.
-Kevi
SeeYou190 Somebody bought the kit above. I hope they inspect it and return it. There is no excuse for marketing that kit as complete. - - - - - - - - - - Some of the Fine Scale detail castings are a bit weird. I am not sure about that anvil up there on that wooden shelf. I don't think that is safe at all. -Photograph by Kevin Parson Also, some of the barrel stacks don't look quite right. -Kevi
I've got a similar collection of castings from my Roadside Delights kit and a South River kit. I've thrown them all in a drawer and occasionally find them to be quite useful. I'm a bit of a packrat in that I never throw anything out that I think might be useful someday.
A couple of Fine Scale Miniatures classic structures just got listed for a low opening bid.
Over the years I've bought a number of FSM kits ... never at full price, and usually at train shows. Even then, they were more expensive than most other kits. But ... the time I spent trying to make the disparate pieces into a presentable model was well worth what I did pay. Shake the box they aren't ... and for that I'm glad.
SeeYou190 A couple of Fine Scale Miniatures classic structures just got listed for a low opening bid. -Kevin
Did you happen to go back and see what these eventually sold for?
maxmanDid you happen to go back and see what these eventually sold for?
They went for very low prices.
The prices for these kits is easily in reach now.
Thanks. Always curious as to the final outcome.
The kit called Sand House is one of the better bargains to grab.
It is poorly named. It is actually a tool shed, sand house, and bucket coaling station all in one box.
SeeYou190 The kit called Sand House is one of the better bargains to grab. It is poorly named. It is actually a tool shed, sand house, and bucket coaling station all in one box. -Kevin
John-NYBWI just received it and am looking forward to building it.
I am really looking forward to building mine too.
Right now, I am seriously in anticipation of getting the hobby workbench back into operation again.