I am a bit overwhelmed, I am getting back into Railroading after a lenghty absence and I like the idea of the computer help in the layout planning. I have downloaded some demo programs, but which one works the best? What are your suggestions?
Thanks Chris Hawkins
overwhelmed- tell me about it! I’m beginning to understand why I got out of it 15 years ago.
Oooo, loaded question! It’s a bit like asking, “Of all the colors out there, which one is best?”
Tell ya what, I’ve had experience with two programs and I’ll tell you a bit about those, which I like best and why. Fair enough?
Xtrakcad and Atlas RTS (both the 5.0 & 7.0 versions) are the two I’ve delt with. Both are free downloads and once you register them (also free) all the tools become active. You can make large an small layouts, do special track sections, and even some scenic elements.
Xtrakcad has a steep learning curve (you have to do the tutorial which takes several hours), but it’s a very powerful tool. It packs a large library of track and accesories, and it provides a very “polished” look to the final plan.
Atlas RTS is not as powerful, and the flex track tool is a bit funny at first, but overall it’s easier to use. Combined with Microsoft Paint, you can yield a nice looking plan. It’s biggest drawback is that the library only has Atlas brand track in it.
Personally, I like the Atlas program. It’s easy to work with, and I don’t have all the time in the world to devote to planning. You can get some nice stuff out of this program with some practice. Here’s an example…
A 4x8 N scale old west layout
I did a track plan using RTS and can be seen under the current thread titled New Track Plan. There is a learning curve in using the various track planing programs. The longer you use the program the easier it gets. They can be frustrating at first but if you can get through the initial frustration they can be very helpful.
Xtrakcad is probably more capable than RTS but I learned RTS first and stuck with it.
I used RTS and would recommend it for a quick start.
A 3-D model made from the track plan really helps and is fun to make. And it gives you a sense of making progress on your layout.
Have fun,
I have been a user of CadRail for a number of years now. I have not tried the Freeware packages but did download the 3rd PlanIt demo just to see any differences from CadRail.
While CadRail is not free, it only costs about $60 (see http://sandiasoftware.com/orders.htm) and is well worth the money. CadRail 8.02 is the latest version and is great for track planning. It does take a while to learn the tools and there are different ways to accomplish similar things so playing with it is required.
But now that I have learned it, I use it for track planning and designing other items too. Since it is basically a CAD program at heart, I have used it for creating floor plans for my house, cabinets for the train room, even a protractor for my son’s math homework one time when he lost his plastic one :-).
And there is an active user group forum (cr-users@yahoogroups.com) where you can ask questions if you get lost.
Easily worth $60, in my opinion.
Charlie
I’d be interested in knowing how Cad rail is to use these days. I tried it shortly after it came out and hated it. One problem I remember was that I’d locate a turnout where I wanted it to be on my screen, and next to the turnout was some text rescribing the turnout. I couldn’t eliminate the text from the drawing. Also, if I use templates for turnouts in Cadrail, but I cut the turnouts themselves down (like for a yard ladder) how do I tell Cadrail that the real turnouts are shorter than what it has in its library. Am I making sense here?
For my current layout I bought the ends of newsprint rolls from the local paper, laid them on the floor, placed and replaced my track and turnouts until it resembled the towns I’m modelling, then drew the track centerlines in marker on the newsprint. How’s that for anti-CAD? At least it’s more advanced than scratching the design into the concrete with a sharp rock.
Still, I like the idea of being able to store and modify drawings on my computer. I look forward to the collective wisdom you guys might have on this matter, Ken
I have used CADRail for 10+ years. If you cut down the turnout, just cut down the length of the appropriate line, give the turnout a new name, and save it. The library is just groups of objects - ALL of which can be modified at will. I have several different versions of modified turnouts so I can use whatever I want at the time. As far as turning off the text next to the figures, just turn off the figure names and figure numbers - you can always turn them back on again. If you would like to talk about it off-line, send me an e-mail and we can talk by phone so I can walk you through the steps. I also have an extensive set of building footprints (HO scale) already in CADRail. I am a 100% believer in it. If you design it with CADRail, check for proper clearances, and build it like you designed it, then the final product will work.
My [2c]
I useed 3rd Planet and AutoCadd. I designed and ran the layout in 3rd planet for over a year before I built it. I used Autocadd for the fine design work (not realy required.
Thank you trollw, for your generous offer. I’ll print your response and put it in my layout design folder as it might be awhile until I get my Cadrail program loaded on my new computer. Your endorsement of Cadrail has given me the push I need to try it again. Thanks again, Ken
I have never had the patience and/or ability to learn to use the CAD programs available. I finally settled on Tracklayer from trackplayer.com. Not sophisticated, but very easy and it has gotten the job done for me and I can run trains to see how my plan functions. I freehand all my curves, faster, and with a little work quite clean.
If you submit a track plan you can get the software free. If they are still running that promo.
Good luck.
Sorry, Chawk. The software I refered to is at trainplayer.com, not trackplayer.com.
CP
I designed and built a large (24 x 46) HO layout using 3rd Planit. As with all good track layout programs there is a learning curve. Once the basic commands are understood a lot of drawing can be done in a short period of time. I probably went through 200 plans until I settled on the “final” one. While I am still fine tuning the layout, I could not have gotten to this point as quickly if I did not use 3rd Planit. Also, programs as sophisticated as 3rd Planit can be used for designing structures. As for price, considering what I have invested in my layout, the price of 3rd Planit was miniscule.
Download as many programs as you can and give them a test run before you commit to one.
Steve B.
I used http://www.templot.com/martweb/templot_gs.htm around 4 years ago. If you want to custom build complex track layouts and junctions its one of the best ive come across as you can choose your switch size, crossing angle (in european or western measurement units), transition curves, curved switch’s and probebly enough other stuff to fill this page.
It was handy for me at the time as it enables you to print out a template for a switch or junction full size, stick them all together and build hand laid directly on top of them.
However, to use it to its full potential, i reckon rocket science is easier tbh! The amount of drop down menu’s and sub menu’s is mind boggling!
I just about managed to make a crossover and built a few simple track layouts on that. If you have the patience for it, i reckon it would be great. Quite expensive though!