[Jscullans]

Does anyone know of a good software to use to figure out a track plan? I’m having issues with being indecisive on how I want to lay my track. Have a rough idea but want to figure it out before I jump any further into the layout

 

[LateStarter]

SCARM is popular.

 

[Jscullans]

If they have an app that would be great. I don’t use a computer other than at work so I normally just use my telephone

 

[LateStarter]

SCARM won't work well with a phone... it needs a PC.

 

[traction fan]

Anyrail

If they have an app that would be great. I don’t use a computer other than at work so I normally just use my telephone

Jscullans;

Anyrail is another track planning program. I don't know if it will work on your phone or not. I suspect it will need a PC, but I don't know for sure. I'm a bit of a digital dummy, so I used pencil and paper!

good luck;

Traction Fan :smilie_daumenpos:

 

[MichaelE]

I find a pencil and paper faster and easier to use. No menus, no getting the curve backwards the first time, etc., etc.

There are pro's and con's to both, but like TF, I like the old fashioned way.

 

[CTValleyRR]

I doubt you will find any so-called track planning software that will work on a phone. Not only do you need screen real estate for it to be practical, it needs the fine control of a keyboard / mouse combo to be practical.

That said, the "computer" that actually designs or plans the layout is the one inside your skull -- your intellect and your imagination. The software only records it for you. There's nothing wrong with recording it with paper and pencil. Personally, I like software because it handles a lot of the work for you, and any decent software will keep you from fudging and designing something that won't actually work, but that's just me.

I personally recommend Anyrail, if you're going to buy a software package.

 

[Tom_C]

+1 for anyrail.

 

[NorfolkSouthernguy]

I have found that all the track planning software I have tried has not been user friendly at all.

I wish I could just find a simple easy to use software for layout a track plan. Maybe it’s me but anyrail and scarm is just terrible to achieve a simple layout. Why does a software not exist to just plug in the measurements of the bench work and rock n roll with a layout based on gauge?

I use a P.C. every day and iPads, IPhone etc... yet I can not seem to conquer software to help design a layout!? It’s very frustrating but again maybe I am the dummy?

 

[Jscullans]

The main reason I want to use a form of software is so I can figure out what I’m going to be doing as far as turn radius and turnouts. I’m going to primarily be using #8 turnouts and more than likely use peco for a brand. The industrial switches are going to be #6 but won’t have any main line locomotives doing work in a switching application. I’m using the big turnouts due to running big steam (4-8-4 or up to a 2-10-4 or a 2-8-8-2) and would like to figure out a double track main with switching opportunity a small service facility and a hand full of industry in a 10x16 room. Once my kid gets older it will end up taking over most of my basement but for now it’s 10x16. Want it to be expandable for when that day comes

 

[gregc]

you might first evaluate the shape of your layout. consider Why waste space on a 4x8? and

or modules

 

[Jscullans]

I’ve already got my benchwork built for what I could do. It’s 4’ high and on the long sides it’s 34” deep on the short side it’s 48” deep

 

[Jscullans]

When I get home I’ll try to draw out the dimensions of my layout. I originally had a plan to attempt to execute but at this point I’m realizing it’s not very feasible with the space I have and the industries I wanted to include along with running different passenger trains.

 

[Jscullans]

This is roughly the way I have it built. I was going to use the 36” side as a more scenic area that’s why it’s wider than the 32” side. I can only reach 32” so that was going to be industrial and a yard. The room is 10x16 which the edges of the paper would represent. This is obviously not to scale just a rough depiction

 

[CTValleyRR]

I have found that all the track planning software I have tried has not been user friendly at all.

I wish I could just find a simple easy to use software for layout a track plan. Maybe it’s me but anyrail and scarm is just terrible to achieve a simple layout. Why does a software not exist to just plug in the measurements of the bench work and rock n roll with a layout based on gauge?

I use a P.C. every day and iPads, IPhone etc... yet I can not seem to conquer software to help design a layout!? It’s very frustrating but again maybe I am the dummy?

Well,, if you're not familiar with basic drawing tools on a computer, you might have a steeper learning curve, but Anyrail is not hard to use. You want a simple layout? I can do a simple 4x8 design in Anyrail in about the same time it takes me to type this (a couple of minutes).

As far as just putting in available area and having the software puke out something, well, see my previous post. The software doesn't do the design. You do. The software just records it.

But really, even if a totally random track layout would be acceptable (I can't see how, but I'll concede it for discussion purposes), the number of possibilities available even with a small area is enormous, and would rapidly exceed the processing capabilities of a home computer. If all you want is a simple oval with a siding or two, why would you need track planning software?

 

[CTValleyRR]

This is roughly the way I have it built. I was going to use the 36” side as a more scenic area that’s why it’s wider than the 32” side. I can only reach 32” so that was going to be industrial and a yard. The room is 10x16 which the edges of the paper would represent. This is obviously not to scale just a rough depiction

So where is the layout? In the center or around the edges? If it's in the center, you've wasted a lot of real estate. Not to mention the big mistake of building benchwork before you knew what was going on it. Not to worry. You can tear it down and build something that fits better.

 

[Jscullans]

It’s around the outside of the room. In all reality I was bored and decided to start on benchwork a few months back and took a trip to Home Depot. I was going to just wing it and had a somewhat good idea of what I wanted but now I realize that winging it was not a very good idea. I know I’m good as far as having a 28-30” radius turn on my main line but having issues coming up with good places to have industries. I have a couple tracks laid down just to run what I’m working on but that’s about all the farther I’ve gone at this point so if track modification is needed then now would be the time to do it

 

[Jscullans]

I’ve got a lumber yard I want to include. I want a small locomotive and car service facility (3 tracks for my engine shed/ mow and a rip track) a mine and maybe a couple more smaller industries (grain bins or something to that effect) I’m modeling an area to the south west of Chicago so no big mountains or any of that will be involved but want to be able to at least run a passenger train with big steam so I’m limited on what I can do as far as turn radius other than for industrial spurs where you wouldn’t find big steam locomotives