After my HO scale CFNR layout sat and collected dust for a couple years, I decided to give some mainline action of the modern day BNSF in Arizona a try. After researching parts of the Seligman Sub and the Phoenix Sub, I was intrigued by the Kingman, Az. area and the entire Phoenix Sub. I picked up a couple locomotives and pieces of rolling stock to test my weathering skills in such a small scale and saw some success. I next built a 1'x4' diorama set in the Arizona desert and again saw some success.

What specific or general elements make a model railroad GREAT? In the same respect, what makes a model railroad NOT SO GREAT?

A couple recent posts started by JoeF got me thinking about these things... I'll start by listing my thoughts on the subject, starting from the ground up. I am by no means a master modeler or anywhere close. These are observations I have made over the past 25 years (off and on) of model railroading, based on layouts I have seen in person or print. These are things that ANY modeler can achieve without much skill or talent (both of which could describe me).

I am building a layout in HO scale of the California Northern's West Valley Line. This line runs between Davis, Ca. and Tehema, Ca. and connects with the UP at both ends. The interchange with the UP is in Davis, the north end of the line is currently being used to store center beams.