I’m building an old west town for my model railroad. The inspiration? Virginia City. Unlike the high desert of Nevada, my town will sit in a ravine surrounded by pine and redwood trees.  A recent trip to Virginia City sparked the idea. I dug out some photos and spotted details I hadn’t noticed before.

The downspouts stood out. They weren’t straight. They angled off in odd directions. I like that. They add personality to the buildings.

Balconies too. Those overhanging walkways made the town feel alive, even though I’m sure they’re only decorative.

And the signage. Big, bold, and impossible to ignore. Perfect for catching the eye. Something I’ve noticed on model railroads is how alive it feels when there is signage, versus ones that have lots of buildings but lack signs.

So now I know how to decorate my town. Balconies. Angled downspouts. And signs that shout for attention. I’m already imagining all the details that will give it character.

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