I thought I posted this earlier, but can't find it.
After looking at videos by Ray Pull and others, I have concluded that I have been building towns with trains running through them. The better was is railroads with scenery around them. Since I have tons of photos of the Reading Lansdale Line (SEPTA R5) taken walking along the track and from trains, I could pretty much recreate it. There are plenty of trees, industry, sidings and some housing, cuts through rock and stations and things for the train to do.