Best Model Railroad Software

[onebiglizard]

Just got a new computer with plenty of processing speed, 2GB RAM and a big harddrive.  Now I can get some decent track planning software! (No more balky Right-Track on a Pentium II)

I'm interested in hearing pros, cons and recommendations for different model railroad software packages.  My main need is accurate HO layout design, but it would be fun to run trains in the virtual world also.  Thanks.  

 

[SpaceMouse]

I've designed layout on Atlas Right Track, 3rd PlanItm, and XtrkCAD. I paid over $100 for the 3rd PlanIt and returned to the free product XtrkCAD. It was just that much easier to use.  

There is so much discussion on this you should try a search.

[TakeFive]

Onebiglizard,
I don't know if your new computer is a Mac, but Railmodeller for Mac(only) is first class. It's easy to use, has active updating and is reasonably priced. I've had three versions of it in the last eight months and each one adds more capability and responds to users' requests for features.

[Pruitt]

I use CadRail. It's as close to a professional CAD package (like AutoCad or CATIA or Unigraphics) that you can get in layout design software. It has a pretty steep learning curve, but it has a lot of power, and you can create very professional looking drawings of anything. Being almost a professional Cad package, it has a very technical-feeling interface. Some folks hate it.

If you're more of an artist type than an engineering type personality, you might find 3rdPlanit! more to your liking, as it's inteface is a bit less techy and more artsy.

[Hudson]

I've been learning 3D Planit it isn't easy but the results can be amazing. Steep learning curve. It's a quirky program too, not BUGGY, quirky.