My pal, John, has much of his 7mm FS stock fitted with 3-links and AJs. They are unobtrusive, and they do work, most of the time, but to be fair, they probably need a great deal more TLC than they get on a garden layout, and they have an unerring ability once in a blue moon to harpoon a 3-link and then you’re right up the famous creek, with nothing even vaguely resembling a paddle.
I think it could be done, and it would certainly look good, but it would have to be a small-ish layout with limited stock, and determined maintenance, and, as Adam has said, 31.5 gauge will help. But then again, so would 12’ ruling radius...
Best
Simon