Where do you get inspiration for the detail on you train set models?

Like for example, the landscape and the signs and the goings on around the rails? I would love some answers on this since I am often stumped here.

Most people pick a particular era in time, company,line or Station and then examine old photographs etc to find out what detailing is needed to their layout, what the track layout looks like etc. This is probably your best course of action. If you are going for a fictional line then examination of period photos from the time period you have chosen will be helpful.

Search for model train checklist. These display details like animal bones to industry parts and features. It was a big help to me, hope it helps you.

While period and documentary photographs are great sources for ideas, you can also be inspired by what others have done. Some great examples are at the website I recently discovered, in their "gallery" of photos of models: see http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com/images/photos/
What I find inspirational is the little "business" or "busyness" going on among the people, as in one case, some guys marveling at a Mustang's engine under an open hood.