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'.
Thanks,
I'll check there too.
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.
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
Has anyone had experience with track layout design programs that include virtual operations? Are operating sessions enjoyable as well as being educational?