O gauge layout design software

Many of the highly detailed layouts use GarGraves. It works much better on permanent layouts than on temporary floor layouts. GarGraves produces the standard line of switches and crossings, and another company, Ross Custom Switches, makes GarGraves-compatible switches for just about any dimension you can think of.

Planning is good. It ensures that you have enough track [as well as making sure that you do not buy too much], and that the buildings, track side accessories, and other layout fixtures will fit on the completed layout. The first thing to decide is what track design you like. Model railroad layouts fall into five basic types:. Loop layouts have one disadvantage.

Real railroads are massive transportation factories, moving people and goods from this spot to that spot, in [usually] an efficient manner. Many modelers like to build their layouts to simulate this action.

This is known as operation— making a model railroad imitate the operations and schedules of a real railroad. The point-to-point railroad is the most realistic model railroad design. The trains move from Point A to Point B, usually making stops along the way. Model railroaders working in the smaller scales [HO and N] often build point-to-point railroads.

But in O scale, there is a problem. Unless you have a gymnasium available, building a true point-to-point layout in O is normally out of question. So what to do if you want something a bit more interesting than a loop layout, but do not have enough space to build a point-to-point layout?

Do what model railroaders have been doing for years—cheat a bit. Loop-to-Loop is a variation of the continuous loop layout that hides the continuous nature of the operation. The train moves from point A to point B, but both points have reverse loops that turn the train around and send it back from point B to point A without stopping. Often, on loop-to-loop layouts the reverse loops function as terminals and have yards built into the reverse loops.

Loop-to-Loop allows for a layout to be run either as a point-to-point layout for realistic operation, or as a continuous loop layout for display or showing off. A hybrid of the other four layout types, Point to Loop is a continuous loop layout with two spur lines functioning as starting and ending points for the railroad. This design and the out-and-back are often used if the train room dictates the construction of a narrow shelf on one side.

Several factors go into developing a layout plan. Second is to decide on the type of track you want to use. While all O Gauge track is similar, the different manufacturers make different curve diameters available. Therefore, a degree turn with FasTrack is going take up almost an extra half a foot of real estate. The third consideration is the layout room itself. Layouts usually share space with household items like water heaters, doorways, windows, workbenches, cars, etc.

Now the fun begins. Unfortunately for FasTrack users, Lionel has not yet released track design software for it. If you are using FasTrack, the layouts will need to be refigured a bit. These plans are very accurate, but some spots, particularly in yards, may not fit exactly as we have them in our plans.

Places where there is a 4. This simple but fun line uses one pair of switches, a 90 degree crossing, and a few more curved and straight track sections in addition to what is included with a starter set. One of the most popular additions to a train set is a trestle set, allowing the train to climb and descend grades and cross over itself at some point. The most popular form of over and under layouts is a figure-8 configuration, but this plan has some advantages over a figure Also, on over-and-under Figure-8s, much of the track on the grades is in the curves, increasing the chance of an accident.

In this plan, more of the grades are on straightaways. A neat plan using 3 pair of switches, the Double-Back provides a variety of routes for the train to take. The reversing loops allow the train to change direction. The rear passing siding can also be used to store extra cars. Nicknamed after the old college prank of cramming people into a phone booth, the PBT pushes the maximum amount of action that can be placed on a conventional 4 by 8 sheet of plywood.

With a figure 8, to spur sidings, a long passing siding, and a variety of routes, the PBT will operate much bigger than it appears. Basically the ST consists of a two-track yard in the lower right, a short industrial spur in the lower left, and a two-track industrial siding [I envisioned a pier scene when drawing it up] in the upper left. The train leaves the yard and drops off and picks up cars at the two stops. Note that the configuration of the sidings makes having an engine with a front coupler essential, in order to push cars into the tracks in the upper left.

The Buford and Eastern is a basic out-and-back layout. It can accommodate two trains easily, with one parked on one of the sidings while the other is operating, or can provide interesting operation for one train as well.

It drops off and picks up cars along the way at the short sidings on the route. It comes with more than 30 pre-designed railway tracks. You can find these railway tracks in the examples folder. You can edit these designs or make your own design by starting from the beginning.

Now, click on Add and select the type of track which you want to place in the workspace. Different types of tracks and elements are available, some of which include straight track, curve track, circle track, parallel track, signal, sensor , etc. Not only tracks, you can also draw other objects on your design such as stations, shops , etc. This can be done by drawing shapes in the design.

Besides this, you can also draw straight lines, curved lines, circles, etc. Though horizontal and vertical scales are provided on the workspace, you can also add additional scales to the design at the specific region for measurement.

You can view all the parts added to the design in Parts List. All in all, XTrackCAD is one of the best track design software to design railway tracks which comes with a lot of features.

Atlas Track Planning Software is another useful track designer software to design railway tracks. The interface and functioning of the software are almost similar to the above-listed track designer software SCARM. You can move, copy, or paste an object by right-clicking on it. You can zoom into or out of the design by scrolling the wheel of the mouse.

The objects list of this software contains different types of trees, lamps, signals, symbols, and roads. In the tools menu, you will find two types of measurement tools, namely, Measuring Tape and Length of the Selected Region. The Measuring Tape lets you measure the distance between any two points on the design, whereas Length of the Selected Region tool lets you measure the length of the selected track or road.

This free track designer software shows the 3 Dimensional view of the designed model by clicking on the 3D button. Snapshot feature of the 3D view is also available.

The free version of this software comes with only 10 track systems. If you want, you can buy more track systems from its official website. AnyRail is a featured track designer software for Windows. The library of this freeware comes with a large number of tracks and objects.

Hence, you can create different track designs. The method to design a track is very simple. Open a library, select any part of the track from the list, and place it on the workspace by drag and drop method.

AnyRail also features the 3 Dimensional View of the design. In the 3D view, you can apply different textures to roadbed, sleepers, tracks, ground, underside, and tunnels. After completing the track design, you can save it in AnyRail file format.

In addition to this, you will get the following export options:. Train Depot Track Designer is another free track planning software for Windows. Some pre-designed track models are available in its library. You open and edit them or design your own tracks. It is at version 10 now and that is the one to use. Be aware, the help file is pitiful and it is intuitive but has a steep learning curve like all software of this type.

Emails to the authors in Europe do get answered. Depending on how big the layout will be it will use a lot of memory on your PC so when you use it probably nothing else will have room to run. Printing is not obvious but you can get a good hard copy picture to work with after a few attempts. Levels can be confusing but doable. I used the free version of AnyRail for years but I bought the full version a few months ago and never regretted it.

It's under 60 bucks or look at it this way, a few pieces of track or maybe a switch I know you asked about freeware, but I've been using RR Track now v5 since It has saved me more than the price in track. Compare the price to the price of 10 or 20 track sections Your call.

I used it for my FasTrack layout. It includes libraries for a wide range of track including 3 O gauge Atlas sets. I guess the author provides better support now.

I himmed and hawed about spending the bucks for RRTrack. I have to say it has some pretty nice features and for the most part runs without constant blow-ups. Very stable. The learning curve isn't too bad either.

That said, I would like to see a bit more 'conformity' to some of the Windows standards for pop-up menus, better alignment to standard "drawing" programs, and customizable tool ribbon s for track pieces. Is it worth the money? I have to say absolutely "Yes! I would endorse this vote for rrtack, but for version 4, not for v5. I've also had many problems with the simulation not working correctly. So I'm not happy with v5 at all.

Once you learn how to use the software, it becomes easier to use. There are three areas I am concerned with. Something to consider if you have the short version and do not use the included 4. Next, AtlasO bridges are not included in the available track library. To draw a bridge, you highlight the section of track and select the bridge feature. In the 3D view, the bridge appears as a flat section. In order to make a bridge less than 40", you must draw a custom piece of track, otherwise the 3D viewer will draw a bridge support irregardless of what is below the bridge.