Rail design software

[rojoe123]

What in your opinion is the best user friendly software to design my layout? Thanks

[peahrens]

I used free XTrackCad and would use it again, though I did not compare.  It has a learning curve, so do the tutorials and see if you like it.  I hit a couple of stumbling blocks but figured them out or asked here how to get it to do what I wanted.  

You will find more insight from others in some of these prior threads.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS759US759&ei=oIFTWvuYMMzEjwTr5Iy4Cg&q=site%3Acs.trains.com+track+software&oq=site%3Acs.trains.com+track+software&gs_l=psy-ab.3...2902.12990.0.14146.15.15.0.0.0.0.98.1163.15.15.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.vH0Ef0SAvuc

 

[hon30critter]

Hi rojoe123:

I only have experience with the old Atlas software and 3rd PlanIt and comparing them would be a waste of time, so all I can do is describe my feelings about 3rd PlanIt.

3rd PlanIt is not a free program but it does work very well. IMHO it has been well worth the money. Recently I have been using it to design my club's new permanent layout and it has made construction of the layout pretty easy. The layout is 20' x 25'. I used it initially to draw up the track plan. The program gives you a wealth of information about everything related to the track including radii, grade and elevation just to name a few. 

Then I used it to design the benchwork right down to the size of each piece of framing. To name just one advantage, I was able to design the benchwork so that none of the crossmembers would interfere with the Tortoise locations. Plotting out the subroadbed sections for cutting was straightforward. Locating each component has been easy too, and that includes the exact position for each turnout and piece of track and the cookie cutter roadbed sections. The program gives you distances from the floor, top wall and side wall for each end of each component.

One great aspect is that, with very little explanation, everyone has been able to follow the drawings and the layout has been going together as planned. In fact the club members are amazed at how clear and detailed the drawings are. I won't claim that we haven't made any mistakes, but there have been relatively few and it wasn't usually the drawings that were wrong.

One of the major advantages is the ability to easily go back and change things. For example, we discovered a problem with one reverse loop being too short. It only took a few minutes to redraw and reprint that part of the plan. In another case, we decided that some of the service area track was needlessly complex. Again, it only took a few minutes to clean things up.

Understand that the program won't design the layout for you. That you have to do yourself. Also, it won't prevent you from making design errors. To avoid those you need to study books like John Armstrong's 'Track Planning for Realistic Operation' if you haven't already.

Randy Pfiffer, the creator of 3rd PlanIt is constantly upgrading the program, and the upgrades are free for the first two years after purchase. He is also looking at new innovations like designing a function that would determine track polarity so you can identify shorts in the design. That would be amazing!

I have no affiliation with 3rd PlanIt other than as a satisfied user.

http://www.eldoradosoft.com/

You can see some of the club's layout construction here:

http://barm.ca/

Cheers!!

Dave

[rrinker]

 I've been using 3rd PlanIt for years, and for things other than layout design (it's quite versatile). Yes, there's a learnign curve - there's a learnign curve with ANYTHING even remotely this complex. It won't design your layout for you. I did give XTrackCAD a try a couple of years ago, but I guess I am too used to how 3PI works, as I found it awkward. Indepedent of the 3D views for walking around (and even running trains) in 3PI, it also handles the vertical aspect far better than XTrack does. SO you define limits for vertical clearances as well as the horizonatal ones and the program will flag non-comforming arrangements. The 3D view that allows you to visualize what the finished product will look liek is just icing on the cake.

                                    --Randy

 

[rojoe123]

Thank you

[rojoe123]

Thank you

[Pruitt]

I use CadRail. I like it's technical, drafting board feel. It's like a professional CAD package for engineers.

[rojoe123]

Thank you

[hon30critter]

rojoe123

Thank you

Hi rojoe123:

Just a small suggestion:

You might want to add in the name of the person whom you are thanking. It's a nice personal touch. Otherwise every idiot like me will think we have done a great job of advising you! We will never shut up!!

Dave