RailScanPro's AI is trained on hundreds of thousands of model railroad photos, but the quality of your photo directly affects recognition accuracy. These tips take under two minutes to apply and make a real difference.
Lighting — The Biggest Factor
Natural light is best. Place the locomotive or car near a window with indirect sunlight — not direct sun, which causes harsh shadows that obscure markings.
Indoor alternatives:
- A desk lamp with a daylight-temperature bulb (5000–6500K) placed at a 45° angle
- A lightbox (inexpensive on Amazon — search "photo lightbox for small models")
- Two lamps at 45° angles on each side to eliminate shadows
Avoid:
- Overhead ceiling lights that cast downward shadows
- Flash directly into the model (creates glare, washes out detail)
- Mixed lighting (incandescent + daylight — causes color shifts that confuse AI)
Framing the Photo
The AI needs to see the entire side of the model clearly.
- Shoot from directly level with the model, not from above or below
- Include the road name, road number, and as much of the livery as possible in a single frame
- Keep the model centered with some margin around all edges
- For long passenger cars, take two photos (left half, right half) and the AI combines the information
Focus and Sharpness
A blurry photo is the most common cause of poor AI recognition.
- Tap to focus on the model if using a smartphone
- Hold the phone steady — brace your elbows on the layout surface
- If your phone has a Portrait or Macro mode, use it for small details
- Minimum resolution: 1 megapixel (any smartphone from the past 10 years exceeds this)
Background
A plain, contrasting background helps the AI isolate the model from the scene.
- Use a sheet of white or gray cardboard behind the model
- Remove layout scenery from the frame when possible
- For on-layout photos, a solid-color piece of foam core placed behind the model works well
Photo Angle Guide
For best results, take these photos for each item:
- Left side — full side view at eye level (most important for identification)
- Right side — the road number is often different, and lettering may vary
- Front — nose detail, headlight style, pilot
- Roof — useful for diesel classification (cab styles, radiators, fans)
- Detail close-up — if there's a builder's plate, reporting mark, or special decoration
You don't need all five — a good left-side photo alone often gets a correct identification. More photos give the AI more data to confirm with confidence.
Next Steps
- How AI Recognition Works — understand what the AI is doing
- Improving AI Accuracy — help the AI learn from corrections
- Bulk Photo Upload — upload many photos at once