One of the biggest challenges I face when modeling is not having anything to reference my models back to so off I go searching the internet for images.

I bought a book from Walthers (www.walthers.com) from a local hobby shop, it’s a reference book on model railroads and as it turns out it has a tone of images for just about anything not just trains (All types of building – Trucks – Cars – Landscapes – Old West ect).

Just thought I should share this with new and seasoned 3D artists. Sometimes I forget that the tools I use are not digital. ;)

Dennis -- that sounds like a great reference.  I just went through the process of building models from an old N-gauge train set I have had for years.  I started looking for images on the Internet to find some references for that "used look." (for texturing.)

Which reference book did you pick?  I saw several and a lot were out of stock..  The one's I looked at weren't too clear about the contents.

The one I have is "HO 2005 Model Railroad Reference Book" it has over 1000 page's all color and lots of images of just about everything. I think its on sale for $10.00 on their website.

I like it because there is al ot of detail and shows most of the models in different scenery.

Good idea for references! I went and dug out an old book I had from my model railroading days called "Bridges & Buildings for model railroads". It has a lot of nice scale drawings, including a really cool cantilever bridge spanning the Canyon Diablo that I've earmarked for my next ambitious modeling project. Thanks for the idea!