We’ve all walked down city streets and observed the less than perfect side to real city life. So, why make a cityscape on your model railroad layout look like a scene from Fantasy Island.

When modeling an urban scene, never forget the garbage that could be present. What about adding an old newspaper, some garbage cans, cracks in the pavement, graffiti, an old rundown shack, perhaps piles of junk, a broken-down old car and scrape outside of major industry or railyard.

Although you don’t want to overdo it, a bit of imperfection will add to the reality of most city scenes. Look around you and come up with your own ideas.