I model the mining areas of Jerome Arizona in the 1930’s. My 4’ x 11’ HO scale layout depicts the operation of bringing ore from the Turbin Peak Mine on one side of the layout to the Consolidated Mining and Milling Stamp Mill on the other side of the layout. The equipment and buildings have been subjected to lots hard work and the Arizona elements which are very harsh. The good news is that nothing is brand new and everything is highly weathered. This tends to take a lot of stress off (a good thing for a hobby!) because if something breaks when I am building it … oh well, something is broken or worned out! The three foot rule and my personal opinion are most definately the order of the day. Like others have said, not problem with those who have the interest and talent to super detail. I am just not focused on it. I do model to what I think is a high level in that there are lots of details for realism in my view and experience, but each piece is not particularly detailed itself. I do not belong to a club so I do what seems right to me. Judging from the comments from those who view my layout, I must be doing something that is not only pleasing to me, but to others. For anyone, I would suggest that this is hobby and perhaps to a great degree an art form. Just enyoy it and don’t over think it … unless you want to.
Well said! We all can do what we want with our time in this hobby. I’ve chosen to do my best to accuratly depict a railroad that never existed and has no known prototype (in fact, most of the industries are freelanced as well (plastic toy warplane factory, to name one). Now, do you have any pictures of your layout?