Comments suggest a steep learning curve unless you know CAD) XTrackCAD Model RR Track Planning (Have no experience.

AnyRail: AnyRailModelspoor (free trial.

El Dorado Software: 3rd Planit (costs.

That's also where my copy of Trainz resides. However, I still do track planning on a Windows 2000 equipped PC.

I do most of my computer work, including this website, on a Mac. The only Mac software I know about is RailModeller. The free Atlas software is really for their brand of track. I don't have experience with all of them so you're on your own. Translating the computer drawing into reality doesn't always work out the way you plan.īelow are some of the other track planning software packages available. It's still a good idea to lay out your trackwork on the floor, on top of the plywood, or on a big sheet of brown paper. There is usually a way of adding text, too. A handy use of the layers is to make sure you don't have benchwork cross members interfering with turnout controls like a hanging Tortoise machine. Many of the programs have libraries of turnouts, other trackwork, scenery items and sometimes, electrical symbols. As it is essentially a CAD program you are not limited to using it for model railroad planning.īecause CADRail (and other programs) employ layers, it is possible to keep benchwork, track, wiring and scenery on different layers to keep everything organized. I still use CADRail and have even used it to draw a backyard deck. The first track planning software I used was ' Design Your Own Railroad' on ' The Train Pak' CD by Abracadata. A familiarity with computer-assisted-drawing (CAD) software is certainly an asset. Now we have a plethora of track planning software, but the learning curve can be steep. One of the advantages of using the template was the quick learning curve! Everyone knows how to trace with a pencil. There are also some great appendices with planning information. It has some great plans from small shelf layouts to 4' X 8' layouts all the way up to basement-sized pikes. I would use tracing paper over the template. For years I used the 'all gauges track planning template' in the back of Kalmbach's book 101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders by veteran model railroader Linn Westcott. When I started in the hobby the only way to draw a track plan was to do it by hand with a pencil, eraser, ruler, and geometry set.

Anyrail software review