Simply put, Basswood is a modelmaker's dream wood. It has characteristics of the much more durable woods, like Oak, but has a softer, easier cut, fit and finish than them.
And happily, it has much more strength of balsa wood.
This will be my product of choice for my little business, building wooden railroad trestles.
Price is good, durability is good, finished look is good.
What can be bad about that combination?