What software is best for creating control panel track diagrams?
Many thanks for any recommendations!
Paul
Right Track, track planning software was sold by Atlas, and later became freeware. It is currently listed on http://trainweb.org/seaboard/layouts.htm. Version 8 is usually the preferred choice, having the most of the capability without the complexity of version 10.
I have downloaded Right Track from this site several times without any problems. I used it in designing several layouts and continue to use it in making control panel diagrams.
Jim
I have been a long time user of Anyrail. Up to 50 pieces of track is free and after that very reasonable. Huge library of track makes - I use Kato and it has the full range of that make on file. Does flexitrack as well. Only windows though. £47 ($50 ish ) for a once and lifetime key and unlimited track parts.
Long Haired DavidA.K.A. David Penningtonmain man on the Sunset and North Eastern R.R.http://www.gmrblog.co.ukfrom the UK
PDizzelWhat software is best for creating control panel track diagrams?
not sure a layout design program is what you want for a control panel diagram
wouldn't a control panel diagram be more like below
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Take a look at JMRI Panel Pro
https://www.jmri.org/help/en/html/apps/PanelPro/
WS
I used PowerPoint to make my panel faces on a prior layout:
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
I did my panels starting with a large sheet of plastic coated Masonite, generally known as shower liner. It's smooth, thin and easy to cut. I measured first and drew lines with a pencil for the tracks, and then drilled holes for the toggles. With the toggles installed I went over the pencil lines with thin black automotive striping tape.
For this one I went a bit fancy and routed out a notch on the back of some 1x2 strips so the panel has a frame.
No software, just a ruler and some tape.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hello All,
I didn't use any software to create my control panel.
My wife is a veterinary technician/ To color code instruments when making up surgical packs that will be autoclaved, they use a product called Tape-N-Tell.
It is approximately 1/4-inch wide and comes in a variety of colors.
To make my control panel I took a sheet of Luan plywood and painted it black.
I then used white Tape-N-Tell to represent the track plan on the painted panel freehand.
Because this product does not make curved lines well I used short pieces, with angled ends, to represent curves.
Yes, it looks a little rough but it works for me.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
MisterBeasley MisterBeasley wrote the following post 2 days ago: I did my panels starting with a large sheet of plastic coated Masonite, generally known as shower liner. It's smooth, thin and easy to cut. I measured first and drew lines with a pencil for the tracks, and then drilled holes for the toggles. With the toggles installed I went over the pencil lines with thin black automotive striping tape. For this one I went a bit fancy and routed out a notch on the back of some 1x2 strips so the panel has a frame. No software, just a ruler and some tape.
My first HO layout, a 4'x8' built by my father, had a somewhat similar panel, althought the track diagram was different.
It included spring-loaded push buttons which activated Kadee's early uncoupling ramps, and there were also manual turnout controls...elongated sheet brass soldered to brass tubing beneath the control panel, with a screw-head soldered atop the sheet brass on the end which rotated to move the switch points.
Remote control of both the turnouts and the uncouplers was activate by wires connected to both the uncoupling devices and to the points of the turnouts.
There were also ON/OFF switches to kill or activate various portions of the track and sidings.
Wayne
gregc PDizzel What software is best for creating control panel track diagrams? not sure a layout design program is what you want for a control panel diagram wouldn't a control panel diagram be more like below
PDizzel What software is best for creating control panel track diagrams?
I wouldn't rule it out. In some ways, it is intuitive. You're basically designing a linear layout that can be rescaled for printing, once you set it to display centerlines.