What is the best train simulator out on the market and what is the best layout designing software? I used to have Microsoft Train Simulator but its been a couple of years since I have sold it and was wondering if its worth getting again and if there are any good patches or upgrades for it. Any ideas and pro’s and con’s for both. Any help would greatly be appreciated
I cannot say enough good things about Cadrail, although I readily admit I haven’t used anything else. Cadrail is almost “scarily” precise. You will see precisely what works and what does not. As an example of what I mean by this: how many of you out there have ever run into a situation in which you were laying out a curve and either ran into a wall or off the edge of the table, and said, “Well, geez, that didn’t happen when I drew the plan.” Well, when you get practiced at using Cadrail things like that will have happened to your for the last time.
Now, all that said, I have to tell you the downside: it isn’t real user-friendly and easy to learn to use, it takes practice. This is because it is, in reality, a full-function CAD application sold with a library of pre-defined Model railroad stuff. And, CAD software everywhere has a notorious learning curve. To give the developers their due, they give you a good tutorial in the user manual, which, after practicing with it a few times (Once won’t do it), will enable you to start out on your own.
(The other half of your question, about Train simulators, I can’t address as I have never used one)
I can’t help you with Train Simulator software, but for track planning, I love XtrkCad. And it’s free! Lot’s of folks on this forum have used it with good success, and there is an active users group on Yahoo for it. The layouts it produces are accurate, and enjoyable to create. But there is a learning curve… you must spend the time with their tutorial before you “get it.” Then it’s really fun. XtrkCad is at http://www.sillub.com/. There you’ll find links to their download sites.
Xtrkcad can also simulate running trains on your layout design.
Jim