Terry hit the nail on the head. Our layouts are the world we create in our minds, (certainly better than the real world). When I find an item, such as the Bing dragon-roof station, it gives me a certain feeling, usually a good feeling, and that becomes a focal point to create the world of my layout. Certain items even inspire a video, such as this station. It went from brainstorm to production to published on youtube in less than half a day. Some videos I end up working on for a month or more.
The main objective is to have fun, keep the brain cells functioning for some of us, and create the world the way we see it or would like it to be. I also like a lot of dogs in my videos, we have 5 at home in the real world.
Loco, most of my trains are original, I don't mind a few scratches, because that is part of the train's history. I try to get the best condition that I can. I do have some restored items, but that is because originals do not exist, such as the Victory Yankee Streamliner and the red/white/blue 154 electric. I have even made some items that I think Lionel should have made, such as work cabooses for 2800 and 2600 series freights and a 2815 gray Sunoco tank car c. 1940. I will post these when I get a chance. Also some of my structures on the layout are transformer illuminated, a few have battery lights and the brown-stone buildings have LED (110v) lights attached to a sheet of plexi behind them. It gives a twinkle and also a cool blue shade of light. The battery lights are made to illuminate a bottle. They are a string of LED's with a simulated cork that has a battery and switch.