In a catalog, nothing can beat unretouched photos of the actual item. One of the most common complaints we hear these days is that the item as delivered does not match the catalog image or description, and I can understand that disappointment.
I don't need to be "inspired" to buy an item. I want it based on its merits and how well it matches my needs. Accurate descriptions and photos are what I need to make the determination. In this respect, I prefer the MPC/LTI catalogs. Some of the trains included may have been less than inspiring to some people, but we knew what we were getting 90+% of the time.
I say, a pox on drawings (Bob Sherman was a great artist and designer, but I don't want art) and CGI (the current mix of computer generated drawings).
Crawling in a hole and donning my fireproof suit now 
