Josh just looked at your latest pics, i love the BNSF shot in the desert. As for modeling realistic pipework, over here you can get what's known as "pole elastic", fishermen use it on the carbon fishing poles they use, i'm not sure if they are used over there, if not they are basically very long lightweight fishing rod's without a reel, instead there is pole elastic down the middle, you can get all streangths to suit your fishing, there are different colours and sizes, have a look here
http://www.tackleup.com/pole_accessories.htm