Pennine MC
Western Thunderer
Im not sure it [RTR/RTP] is evil -I own items myself- but I do think it can lead to a certain sameness and over reliance on manufactured products unless used judiciously.
True enough, and not doubted; perhaps the bigger question is whether their very availability is, of itself, enough to lead to that over-reliance. It would be easy to point (and again I'm not suggesting anybody in particular is doing this, just addressing the phenomenon) to the large numbers of 4mm layouts running Black 5s, Mk1 coaches and (ahem) 16 ton minerals, but it's also true that RTR has become (belatedly in some cases) very good at providing the staples of the post-war railway, the things that are needed in quantity and that can free up time for other things.
... Even if the clones appear to be taking over with what are regarded as identical models it will just enhance the moment when a truly outstanding model comes along to present a stark contrast.
I'd very much agree with that (subject to the caveat, hinted at earlier, that the hoi poloi may not recognise that it's outstanding)