Essay
When modeling urban scenes in any scale, seven more details come to mind as "often-seen, rarely-modeled". I know this from growing up in a neighborhood with a mix of rowhouses and light industry.First, rarely are winter scenes modeled in industrial or urban areas with snow plowed so that operations can continue. Snow does not fall just in rural areas. This sort of scene might just make for a unique scene on one's next model railroad.
Second, even light industry can be ear splitting noisy - this is can be modeled (but seldom is) - though not at a ear splitting level with a sound chip, power source, and speakers.
Third, in urban areas, an army of workers would march - two or three abreast on sidewalks leading to the nearest subway station (at least in New York City). Other urban areas may have been served by a combination of bus and trolley lines. Bus stops with the appropriate signage can add interest to a model railroad.
Fourth, a light industrial area can have some residential holdouts which would make for interesting modeling in any scale. I recall as a boy, walking every day past a nice single family detached home with a wonderful topiary garden - mostly surrounded by light industry and factories. This topiary garden did succumb to re-development in my later years of elementary school.
Fifth, go easy on large building signage. Many firms just did not mount large signs - they often served little purpose and would otherwise be expensive. Why no purpose? Many manufacturers were not producing for the general public - their output was sold to other businesses. Another reason for not investing in large signs was that often the thoroughfares on which these industries were located enjoyed little foot traffic. And what vehicular traffic those roads carried, were not travelled by the sorts of executives - who make the decision to choose a manufacturer - who one would want to reach with one's message.
Sixth, some urban areas had telephone lines from which pairs of old sneakers had been tied together and tossed over the lines. Kind of stupid but? This could be modeled but probably not visible enough to be included in an N scale scene. Probably easily seen in O scale. HO may be questionable.
Seventh, one industry I have never seen modeled yet was around the corner from our row house was a what we would call today a recycling facility (private sector) which had a large loading dock in front. We boys probably had a much less nicer name for this place - probably with "junk" or "trash" in the name. I remember this flat-roof building as non-descript with no side yard; just jammed between two one-story warehouses or perhaps a row house and a warehouse. The loading dock was covered with bumpers to protect the dock as trucks backed up to it. As boys to amuse ourselves and gain some pocket change, we would collect used newspapers and bring them to the loading dock for a bit of change. Some unscrupulous boys would try to hide a brick in their bundle to increase the weight. To my shame, I admit, I probably tried this stunt myself. I recall, their employees were on to such tricks. Such a facility could be modeled with trucks unloading their paper at the loading dock.
Eighth, how about modeling a crude advertising sign nailed (often crooked) to a wooden telephone or electrical post? This can be an individual seeking to unload an extra pair of auto tires or something of the sort. This is often seen yet seldom modeled.
Ninth, don't forget one-way street signs, street name signs, and parking signs all on the same cluttered post. They will often be of varied shapes, sizes, and condition. Often the post is not plumb but at an angle. This is often seen but seldom modeled.
Good luck with your modeling.
Revised March 17,2022
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