Beginnings-Where we started

[Sumpter250]

Here is another example of developing skills.
The top caboose in this photo was built in 1960, with hand scribed Balsa, from a May 1960 Model Railroader article.......I was not yet seventeen.
   
The middle caboose, was built in 1968 with Northeast Scale scribed basswood sheet and basswood strips and shapes.
The bottom caboose, was built in 1998 with scribed styrene sheet, and styrene strips and shapes.
The evolution of materials, and modeling skills can be seen. All three were built using the same article.

And AstroTurf grass...?

I suspect that the grass in Eightyeightfan1's first photo was either a commercial "grass mat", or died sawdust. The Woodland Scenics scenery materials work so much better.
I hope that the "time lines" of progress shown here, clearly show that progress is not "rapid", it takes time to develop skill, technique, knowledge of how to best use a material, and simply putting a vision, into something "of substance".

Just a hint to you beginners. Don't be intimidated by what you see here, on other forums or magazines. Use it as inspiration
improve your techniques. Even us "old school" modelers are still learning. Just don't think, your first try has to "look as good". None of our first tries did.

I know I still have a lot to learn, and there's no better way, than to see what someone else has done, and then, stop, and realize that a. it can be done. b. it can be learned. and c. I can, someday, do that or maybe even better.

I don't need letters after my name ( MMR, for example). Just the look on people's faces when they first see my modules at a show, is all the reward I could ever need. I am still learning and improving, so I can continue to earn "that look" on their faces.
So. If you've been reluctant to post photos of your work. Here is the place and the time to stop being reluctant. Let's see what you can do now, and we'll hope to see improvement over the following years..........and help where we can.