reference books

What is the "go to" resource/reference book which covers the basics of model railroading, but goes into enough depth of all the facets of the hobby as to not be a "read it once" kinda deal? Something that covers everything from layouts, tracks, switches, DCC, scenery, modelling, weathering and...

I am really bummed out. I had a few minutes between activities so I picked up one of my "photo reference" train books about passenger train streamliners. As I thumbed through it, I found several items in the captions that I know are incorrect. Unfortunately, I can't tell what is really wrong...