ISL's, Huge Basement Empires, Dioramas - - - - - to each, there own.
One of my favorite model builders to emulate was Jack Work. It was through "emulating" his craft, as presented in Model Railroading, that I developed my own skills.
ISL's, Oval ( or circlular ) layouts, Huge basement empires, all have their place, and all attract their own followers.
What works for one ( however famous He or She may become ) does not necessarily work for all. The variations, and combinations are almost infinite !
It all comes down to what YOU, each ONE of you, are most interested in. There is no "right way" or "Wrong way", only the way that "YOU" feel most comfortable with.
I chose Modular, because I moved regularly as a result of serving in the U.S. Navy for 21 years. The "layout" HAD to be PORTABLE.
I stayed with Modular, because I already had so much of it, and when I found one of the local modular groups, discovered the joys of "Playing With My Toys in Public View".
The other "benefit" of modular, is creativity. The "area" I model is strongly influenced by the North East U.S. Coast, and is not a "real" location. REAL LOCATIONS, require "sticking to" photos, maps, drawings of the "prototype", and modeling them as "Carbon Copies", or, at least, "reasonable facsimiles".
REPRESENTATIVE LOCATIONS, allow far more "artistic creativity",
and dare I mention, Imagination.
I prefer to exercise my imagination, but try to keep it within the confines of "reality" - - - - - - with the exception of my Sci-Fi models - - and even with those, there are "rules", set by "Established Possibilities", that I try to follow.
I don't build "
Rocket Ships".........There are no "Gas Stations" in Space ........ yet.
If you are building a fictitious "Home Road", Your rolling stock should meet current "Spec's and Regulations" for your time period, but can be "designed by your railroad". These can be combined with stock of other "real" railroads, just try to keep those, as close as possible to what they really looked like.
If you have "
variances from reality " ? Try to have a "story to stick to", to explain the "differences".
There's more than "Trains and Track" to this hobby. It is the usual starting point, and from there, imagination takes over...... Let It !
That's where the "FUN" is.
Don't be a "Rivet Counter", but Do "let there be rivets", they are part of the details, and should be included where possible, as correctly as you want to include them.
Finally, Regardless of What, Where, When, Why, or How..........It's a Hobby, pursue it , and enjoy it, in your own, individual, ways. The
EXPERTS are worth a little investigation, into the validity of their "comments of discrepancy", and could be the source of valuable knowledge. The final decision, to accept that criticism, as a learning experience, or, reject it, is an individual choice.
We always learn far more from our own mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's advice.
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!