A backside view of some structures on my LAJ layout. Although no longer rail-served, it’s clear they were at some point.
The end game for most prototype and proto freelance modelers is to try to capture the essence of a place in miniature. A major part of that quest is the elements we ultimately select. Equally important, and less obvious, are those we choose to pass on. The element selection decisions we make will determine if we feel like we’re “there” when we look at our layouts. Only you can decide if you’ve hit the mark or not.
It’s pretty tricky. Even if we only select structures that actually exist, we can still subconsciously fall into cherry-picking and end up with something that looks contrived.
Cherry-picking being defined as selecting only the “cool stuff” or only incorporating structures that have spurs.
Case in point…. ongoing, viable industries that no longer take rail service. The spur may be there but it’s clearly never going to be used again. The turnout may have been removed. Maybe the track is totally gone but you see the telltale signs of rail service via loading doors. It’s such a signature look of the modern world that including non-rail-served industries on your layout goes a long way toward improving plausibility.
This is one of several composition strategies that I discuss in my upcoming industry planning book which, fingers crossed, will be available in a week or so.