Case in point

Here's an example, from my own work:

I'm really happy with this model, and I have no regrets about it.  It's wrong, though.  It's not accurate for Southern Ks-3 #2509 for any given era.  It's mostly based on the engine as it existed prior to 1940, but a few details (like the pilot) are post-1940.  I know there are a number of other compromises (and that's not counting things like the incorrect driver diameter) which I've forgotten since I built the model.  When I built it, I chose to build what I liked, and what was reasonably easy to build.  That meant pulling details from a range of dates, and the result is a sort of "2509's Greatest Hits" model.  Even though it's wrong, I think it stands up as a reasonable model, and nothing jumps out at me as being obviously out of place.  It's not a documentary, it's historical fiction.

Greatest hits?

As long as greatest hits doesn't mean the worst cornfield meets...

Horace Fithers

Greatest hits

I agree completely, Ken.  I am in the process of back-dating a Bachmann 2-10-2 to a 1941 appearance.  I am modeling an engine that I have not been able to find a photo for -- that way I can get it close, but no one will be able to point to a photo (at least I hope they won't) and tell me that I should have the low-water alarm 4 inches back, or something like that.  I will get it as close as I can using photos of other engines in the class, but I won't sweat over the really little stuff.

Greatest Hits

Ken:  That's a great analogy on using the greatest hits vs the single song and album.  Many an evening I sit here perusing my favorite modeling sites, with a guitar in my lap and music playing ( unless a ball game is on...case in point Game 7 World Series - Giants just took the lead in the 4th...YES!) My modeling and music are part and parcel of what makes me...well, me.  

Jeff Youst in Indana

Close enough

Here's another example.  This Bachmann 2-8-0 has a PSC Southern Pilot, Southern valve gear off of a 2-10-2, a Southern cab by Ken Rickman and a tender kitbashed by Ken some years ago.  I'm aware that the domes are all wrong, but I'm getting where I can live with that because the "feel" of a Ks is there, if not every -- or even most of -- the rivets.

I like your way of describing

I like your way of describing it and have taken up doing something similar. I am free lancing but looking to model a specific location with some modelers license and using elements from a few railroads that served the region or actual location. I like your way of looking at it.

"In model railroad terms,

   That's the common method of designing a layout, it's call selection and compression. It don't need another name :> ) .....DaveB 

Greatest hits

Like collecting albums I got carried away in N scale collecting every wood sheathed billboard reefer I could find.  I just love the colorful reefers. I have over 400.  Most are KD/Micro-Trains.  There are a number of custom painted cars too.  Then the balance are made up of other brands.  When I lived in Virginia I was heavily involved in N-Trak. I had a brass steamer that could pull 100+ reefers.  Among the long passenger trains and the NS coal drags of sometimes 200+ coal cars, it was a very colorful moment see that hotshot reefer train roar past the dark coal drags!

I have to find a way to get off that addiction!  I have successfully been able to stop buying new N scale reefers.  Yet, the urge to stay in N scale is strong even though it is getting difficult to see the small details.  I have started selling some of my N scale items.  I find it feels uncomfortable, like I am betraying myself.

Having switched to narrow gauge is helping.   The prototype I'm modeling now in HOn3 only had 30 freight related cars and two passenger cars pulled by 7 Consolidations.  If I stay focused on this prototype I should be able to break the addiction.  Just have to ignore those billboard reefers in HO!

Den

"Yet, the urge to stay in N

     I have a pretty large collection of N scale freight cars and about 5 locos to go with them. I find the way to view N is from a distance where the details don't need to be seen. Think trains instead of cars and build the scenes to be appreciated from a distance instead of from trackside. I modeled my O scale scenes from trackside, my S stuff a bit farther back, HO from across the road and N scale from down the block and everything works fine that way.

   My guess is you keep the N stuff for display and future use while building a small collection of appropriate HOn3 Morenci southern equipment. Best of both worlds........DaveB 

Buying addiction

Den, what helped me accept my one prototype, one era approach was to realize that I don't need models of everything in order to enjoy everything.  There are several prototypes I'd love to model, but for me, with the time and resources I want to devote to the hobby, choosing just one is turning into a lifetime project.  I can still admire the MILW, Soo, UP, BN, DT&I, and all my other temptations through photos, videos, etc. without having to represent them on the layout.