Less of a modeling and more of a software question , but regards design - General Discussion (Trains.com) - Trains.com

Ok, I will be the first to admit that I know a little less than beans about railroading. The sons and I just started getting into the hobby. On the other hand, we have already started outgrowing our 4x8 and are now working on planning the "real" layout.

On the flip-side I do know computers and software. This may actually be a detriment for me, because after experimenting with different for-fee and free track planning applications, I am very frustrated with them. I find myself spending far more time trying to get the darn thing to do what I want than acutally doing anything, or yelling at yet another GPF (not sure why you train guys don't deserve high standard QAed software, but I would be insulted if I were you ;)

So my question to the cross-over geeks like myself. I am about to begin just working in another "real" CAD program so that I can spend my time working and not swearing at the app. I really don't want to reinvent the wheel, however, so I am wodering, is anyone aware of any object library exchanges for CAD apps for model railroad objects or where I can find such a lib? For example, you can find tons and tons and tons of libraries people have developed for things like furnishings, landscaping objects, roofs, beams, etc for use in CAD apps.

Someone has to have developed a model train objects library...right?

Or...and this is my lesser preference at this stage...can you recommed a more robust and stable track planning application? One that is more techincal based, with exposed functionality and less trainsy-cutesy would be far more appealing to me. I want raw CAD functionality with scale objects that has been developed and tested as opposed to having the ability of ride-alongs in a buggy rendering engine.