I think the main difference between the "train set crowd" and a railway modeller (no matter the skill level) is that the former play with it for a while then it goes back in it's box and stuck in the loft for years whereas the latter always have the layout out to enjoy, work on and improve.
My comment earlier of a "hint at reality" doesn't mean to say, running to timetable, rivet counting or any of that lark. I meant more the look of the layout as a whole including rolling stock, buildings, lineside items, population, vehicles etc.
I'm not one for historical accuracy either, but I do want mine to look "the part" as it were to ME.
(Although all your great comments and replies on what I have created to date have been not only motivational but also give me a sense of achivement...even though the layout is not fully built yet.)
When a newcomer decides on wanting either the former or the latter one immediatly thinks of Hornby but only because of it's past proliferation of being the only (to the man on the street) train set / railway model manufacturer. It wasn't until I looked a bit deeper I found better from other manufacturers.
Even during my modelling journey of the past 5 years I have seen many others join the fray wether as loco manufacturers or items for your layout.
3D printing, laser cutting, heck I even seen a company that will scan YOU and make a model of you for your layout!
How crazy is that!
With all that said I must reiterate
RULE NUMBER 1.
Thanks
End2end