Is there an inexpensive computer program on the market that will aid me in designing my layout? Also does anyone know if the narrow gauge lines in colorado ever interchanged their cars with each other, or did they all just run trains made up of nothing but their own equipment? Thanks for the help.
Jason
Atlas Right Track, its free
http://www.atlasrr.com/default.htm click “RTS download” on menu
From what I’ve seen in railway videos, most of those narrow gauge lines in Colorado did not connect to any other line except possibly the Rio Grande, which was partly standard gauge and partly narrow, so they could not exchange rolling stock with each other very easily, if at all.
Atlas Right Track software is free, but you might have trouble locating a copy of it right now because the Atlas Web site is down for redesign. If you can get a copy of it, be prepared for a steep learning curve.
The Atlas site is not down, just the Atlas Forum is. I have been to the site twice today.
Let’s make a distinction here, no matter what software you choose, YOU still have to DESIGN the layout. Even with the computer, it takes imagination and work to draw a good track plan.
I fully endorse that. Initially there is IMHO no substitute for the oldfashioned sheet of paper and pencil and eraser .
Can’t agree enough that the computer program won’t design your layout. It’s no substitute for imagination, knowing what you want/need & a realistic idea of what works in the space you have.
The computer program will be of great help once you’ve worked out your schematic. What works on paper is sometimes no more than wishful thinking. I see this in the sketches I get from clients who expect me to produce CAD drawings/designs from them. The common tendency is, when running out of space on paper, to start drawing every thing smaller to make it fit. (Rubber scale syndrome.)
Wayne
I sketch layout ideas using a straignt edge and circle template then use a layout program to check fit.