Has anyone had experience with track layout design programs that include virtual operations? Are operating sessions enjoyable as well as being educational?
Railfan,
You posted exactly the same question in the "Help! Model railroader computer software" thread. A couple of people responded there. Please navigate over and see what we had to say.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
I just started using Trainz 2006 ($10) to create a virtual representation of a pike I'm planning to build. I'm not quite to operations yet, but the rest of the program is outstanding.
I certainly wouldn't recommend Trainz for track planning. For that I used Atlas' freeware, which I found to be perfectly adequate. But Trainz gives a fantastic opportunity to see what the design looks like in 3D. For me, it's a great tool for playing with scenery options. And if the operations portion of the program works like I hope it will, it will be the next best thing to "real" model railroading.
Thanks,
I'll check there too.
Thanks JTG,
I am a year or more from building a real layout but have the bug to do some operations. Been 55 years since I had my last 'road'.