It serves industry and provides a method of transporting goods. The selection of locale, industry, operation, era and equipment is solely up to the modeler. Some hobbyists prefer to model the midwest, with its grain elevators, farms and vast expanses of flatlands. Livestock, feeds, and produce are also a part of this transportation mix and they require the modeler to build and utilize the equipment needed to do the job. Choosing an era to model is the first step.
Some modelers go as far as to model a specific date.
This location allows for wonderful scenic design possibilities. Some prefer to model modern railroading while others find the 1930's through the 1950's to be more interesting. From 1888 to 1998, in either steam or diesel, re-creating it all in miniature is the challenge and reward. There is no lack of challenge when one chooses to model the railroads of the northeast. The steam era is a popular time-frame for these modelers as well.