Track-planning software

[Rene Schweitzer]

I didn't forget about this week's poll! Track-planning software has become important for model railroaders in smaller scales, but what about for garden railroaders? Do you (or did you) use it?

[Anonymous]

I think track planning software works best for the smaller scales. Large Scale, at least for me, is more of a "get out and try it." Not so say that uit wouldn't help, but I like naturally finding contours of the landscape and surveying. The plan might not be viable after severe weather and finance.

[tangerine-jack]

Indoor scales have miles of scale track and hundreds of turnouts in complex operating schemes. It don't work like that outside! I like to stay simple, like the Capt, I go outside and try things,see if it works. Besides, I don't have enough imagination for anything more complicated.........................

[oX)]

[Anonymous]

No I did not. just made the layout fit the landscape yard, 1 dog leg and 2 ovals. I would now like a good reliable track-planning software for diagram purposes, switches, connections and other items in the future.

mikadousrp

[emipapa]

I have thought about buying software to help plan my layout but I think it would be much more fun to do it the old fashion way, you know, like we did before computers. I also feel that I could put the money that the software costs to a better use like buying more track, rolling stock or even purchase some of the materials to build a water feature.
Just my thoughts,
Ron
[:)]

[RhB_HJ]

Certainly do!

After all it's so much easier to change things on a CAD drawing than moving "whatever" in the garden because you overlooked something.

Now I must confess since layout planning (any scale) is part of my business, I have plenty of practice and things go very quickly.
Establishing the "current state" of a garden is much more time consuming, but even that pays off, since getting max grades established and min curves adhered to will certainly make for better operation.

And yes, since a CAD program - I use CADrail - gives accurate results I stick to that. It is very easy to make it less accurate i.e. adjust the tolerance, but it is impossible to make it more accurate than what the designer of any given template dreamt up. That's the reason I design my own libraries - some of them are passed on to Sandia and come with the standard library complement. [;)][;)]http://www.cadrail.com/

Of course if you choose a CAD program you can design just about anything, which is very handy. I doubt that you can design a complete garden shed (stick built) including all the interior with programs like RR Track.

BTW don't get me wrong, I think it's great that many don't need the tech help that's available today. After all many of the logging and low-traffic NG railways were built more or less by the seat of the pants the engineers were wearing that day.
OTOH using that method wouldn't have resulted in the Landwasser or the Wiesen viaducts as they stand today or the spiral tunnels between Bergün and Preda. [;)][:)][:D][:D] As they say there's a place for everything!

[Anonymous]

I only use a pencil and paper.
Old school rocks.
BMTrains

[vsmith]

I use my Autocadd program and just recreated the sectional track sections electronicly. That way I can "lay out" the track and make adjustments or alternate layouts quickly without wasting time making deadend plans. Not a "dedicated" program but its still works the same[8D]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I tried it, but not being all that computer literate (or patient with learning process) found that I could do better using my old navigational instruments and pencil and paper!

I could also envision it better!

I guess it could work for those who want a complicated operational situation; but for something to look at while you're sitting on the porch conversing with friends and enjoying a cuppa?, I think it's overkill.

[whiterab]

An admentment to my vote.

I used RR Track software heavily when I was starting. I have some interesting topography to work with and the CAD software really helped in getting the original track plan laid out with out any suprises in grade. It also helped me layout the entire possibilities for future expansion such that I could break the overall project into manageable stages. Spent many, many hours on the computer to keep the grades below 3% everywhere.

Once the initial layout was done, the expansions have all been done by dry fitting track to match. All of the expansion still complies with the initial design with only minor modifications of a few feet or so one way or another.

[TurboOne]

Started with the software on HO. Helped a lot. Made things a lot easier. Then tried it with O. Helped a lot also there.

On G, it helped, but with so much landscaping to be added, it helped but more for intro ideas. The whole backyard is going to change, and then I will redo the layout on paper, but like others have said, the contours and idioscyracies will vary so I will have to adapt layout in the outdoors world.

Tim

[Anonymous]

I would like too, but I do not have the computer skills and more importantly i am commited to making my layout suit the environment not the other way round.

When I was planning my area 3 i would have loved to put it on CAD or similar but i just drew it out on graph paper at 1/10 scale and then 1/4 scale and it has worked out. It is a complex layout with many size constraints. It is nearly finished now and it is working well so far.

Rgds Ian

[Tom The Brat]

I use a cad program (I initially typed "problem") to get the initial idea of how things will fit, but the final product has little to do with the plans[;)]

[van buren s l]

I'm a computer neanderthal. Posting on this forum is my most advanced computer skill.
Bob

[wchasr]

I actually am an AutoCAD drafter by trade and also use Solidworks at aowrk and when I was actively planning a layout several years ago (that never happened) I went through many versions of what I might do. While AutoCAD is a bit out of line with idea of the poll since it is used as a planning software it still adheres to the spirit of it I think?

Chas Ronolder

[Anonymous]

As a software developers, I live in the techno-world. I've got a half dozen programs, demos or otherwise, I used on my nscale layout. Was a great help.

Tried using on the out door layout. Not so much help.

I've had more luck so far just grabbing an old garden hose or two and laying them out to show where my track is going to go. Between that, and some old plant containers to simulate structures, I'm having a grand old time.

[Anonymous]

dont use it on my indoor RR i use the kiss system!
i am not a out door RR person.

[Anonymous]

Such a program may be useful for some folks but I am not one to sit and play with the computer to make it fit my needs. Would rather jump in with both hands and gain experience along the way. Have difficult terrain where my Garden Railroad will be placed and suspect there will be much trial and error, especially as I am a greenhorn, (novice to you Trekkies). All in all, it is great fun for the old folks as well as the younger generation. Time marches on and don't want to miss anything along the way. Anyone in the Opelika/Auburn, Al. area always welcome to drop in and talk trains, etc.
God Bless.[angel]

Ray

[Tom The Brat]

When I was in Junior High, I'd use a ruler and a compas to figure out N gage layouts. (While I was supposed to be studying history.)

[cabbage]

Although I normally work at a UNIX workstation using several thousand pounds worth of AutoDesk products -what I use to design my railway layout, buildings and locos themselves -is a batted copy of Apples' Claris Works 4.

The database stores parts and prices and supplier details.
The spreadsheet handles the costings.
The draw function the design doodles.
The paint allows me to play with plants.

regards

ralph

[Anonymous]

Don't need it, my garden empire is perfectly flat, so no grade problems and I can envision it inside the old head so I know exactly where it's going. Apart from that I can't go far wrong with a single circuit of track that's following the fence and missing the shed and deck!!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[GRR7315]

Experimented with a basic program, didn't seem to have all the libraries for the mismatch track I had. Then as others, just got out there and began laying the track on the ground. Sometimes everything works out, other times you have to cut and fit and as always everytime you pick it up and go to put back down after changing your mind; it doesn't fit!