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track design

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  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 191 posts
Posted by bnsf0823 on Thursday, June 11, 2015 2:46 PM

Thanks everyone i think i am going to stick to pencil and paper and then scan and copy it to a photo site.  I really dont want to take the time to learn a new program.  Once i get the part of my layout on paper i will post it for some feed back.  

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 7 posts
Posted by MichaelL on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 9:52 PM

Hi,

I used AnyRail 5 - pretty easy to use and good results.

 

Mike,

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • 921 posts
Posted by dante on Monday, June 8, 2015 10:00 PM

If you have a Mac, try Empire Express by Haddon. Very easy to learn and although 2D without a lot of bells and whistles, it is accurate.

Dante

PS. It isn't free but is inexpensive.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Monday, June 8, 2015 4:58 PM

I used XTrackCAD and liked it.  But do the tutorial if you try it.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • From: Seattle, Washington
  • 1,082 posts
Posted by IVRW on Monday, June 8, 2015 4:36 PM
I started using SCARM recently, and I can promise that it is a very good program. The learning curve is the smallest that I have yet seen, and they have good youtube tutorials.

~G4

19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Monday, June 8, 2015 3:32 PM

You could sketch it by hand, scan it to your computer, place it in a photo hosting site like Flikr and then post it here. Probably easier than climbing the CAD learning curve unless you plan on using CAD in the future.

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 8, 2015 3:19 PM

There is no easy to use track planning software. As with all CAD programs, there is a learning curve to them.

If you plan on using Atlas track, you can download RTS from there homepage:

Atlas Layout Software

SCARM is also a free software, with a library of track systems covering most commercial track systems.

A third free software is XtrkCAD - I find it a little difficult to use.

 

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 191 posts
track design
Posted by bnsf0823 on Monday, June 8, 2015 2:58 PM

hi all, i was wondering if anyone knew of some free easy to use track design software i could download?  I would like to create a simple track plan of part of my layout to show  all of you to get some ideas on changing a few things.  I know all of you out there always have great ideas. Thanks

 

Keep tracking on

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