Wow Joe, that were many thoughts! Yes, I see modellers of the various fields more as a big family and ofcourse everybody has a favorite sibling.
As for the track I gave hand laying a try using Jay Criswell‘s code 125 rail, ties and plastic tie plates. The ballast is made by Roco of Austria, it‘s HO and just the right size. The rest of the wooden board was covered with ordinary gravel from a road in the fields.
I brushed every individual tie with a wire brush to create individual grooves. Then they were individually stained with india ink of various intensities. Rail weathering with brown acrylic paint and an enamel wash with MIG rust washes.
I‘m glad you like it! :-)
The first pic shows wet ballast in place after scenic glue was applied.
