Shortest IC82 Video Ever (Layout Call)

I need your help, guys and gals! Please let me know what layout design software you use, have used or would like me to look at. I'll be doing a layout design video in the next week or so and it needs your input! Friday's Feature video has been moved to Sunday. Have a good weekend!
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"Steam Train 1" by Benboncan at www.freesound.org is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/b...)
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[@WDG13031]

SCARM is what I use...

[@coopergreen7578]

i use a program called SCARM. it used to be a free open source program but a shame it is no longer. all though the free version still has a bundle of features as well as most brands of track + pieces dated back to the days of dublo and earlier.

[@RBXTrains]

SCARM is the main one I've used, think most people just use that one?

[@thurstablelane7567]

Pen & Paper, always found it as the best thing to use as I can then work out how big/small the layout is going to be, this helps me design what I can fit onto my layout and what I can do in terms of running. Because of the length of certain passenger or freight trains which can in turn determine what size locomotives I'm going to use.

[@mickster04]

Anyrail. i'll even buy you a license if you want :D

[@peakdalewood3479]

We use Peco PDF prints for the points (printed to scale) then flexi plastic curtain rail to get longer sweeping curves. Peco PDF link : www.peco-uk.com/page.asp?id=pointplans Our layout pictures on Smugmug : marcussrailwayphotos.smugmug.com/ModelRailways/Peak-Dale-Wood/

[@agw8142]

Wow nice layout !

[@hovermotion]

I used a pencil and a grid lined a4 pad for a basic plan and then adjusted the track to suit as I layed it...... I still have the orignal plan from 8 years ago...

[@jonathankelly7430]

I came up with an idea. Sketched it out in a copy book, layed the track down and hoped for the best. So far so good!

[@FarlandHowe]

I used Anyrail to design the new Farland Howe. I spent three months working long hours every day and went through multiple completely different concepts till I made up my mind to build the one I am building. Rob

[@kineticrail]

When i modelled i used to use the hornby virtual railway. Only really any good for circuit layouts on the standard size boards 6x4 etc

[@jezzam2034]

I used Anyrail, but the trial version only gives you 50 pieces of track... My attempt at using SCARM failed miserably - I just found it too hard to use!

[@SGTGhost]

Great video Will. You choice Will, What ever layout you want

[@TransportCambs]

Nice video Will, have a nice day.

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

For designing a layout, there are 2 very inexpensive programs which are easy to use and still do a fine job. SCARM (it used to be free, but now I hear it charges), and AnyRail (very good program for the price). These will suit all your design needs for a table layout. They also enable you to print up a 1-1 ratio (or lower) with all scales, companies, track and piece numbers. Other design programs can cost 200 Pounds or even much more, but both of these are under 70 pounds.

[@flyingtardisOfficial]

i use railmodeler express, its mac only though but its like using the typical windows version

[@davidstrains4910]

Great video will that is a good idea because it will help other people choose which software or Method to plan their layouts

[@DunoonModelRailway]

I use Anyrail. Paid for the full version about a year ago, after about a year and a half planning layouts with the free trial version (limited to 50 pieces) and was absolutely worth the $60 I spent. I also use Templot, but that's for when I handlay track.

[@bloomcomputing]

SCARM is what I used. Enough to prove that the principle of a different track layout would work in my relatively small space, even if my track types were different after that

[@a.r.productions]

I use scarm (simple computer aided Railway modeler) it's safe free and it has a model train simulator.

[@minsterscalemodels5220]

I would also recommend using some of the of the old peco trackplan books, especially the ones written by The late CJ Freezer, I used three of his layouts and joined them together to make one large layout!

[@KeithTucker45]

I've used AnyRail and found it quite good. You also mentioned the Hornby templates, but I know Peco also do track templates in different gauges.

[@Steamjammer]

I've used SCARM which is free for layouts of up to 100 track pieces and has a bolt-on basic simulator to test your design. Peco offer downloadable and printable point and crossing/slip templates so you can check spacing/alignment/clearances before buying.

[@ankdoeslego9731]

Used to use Hornby TrackMaster at one point; however never properly activated it and it’s no longer available. It worked quite well and was specifically for Hornby products and could provide pricing on said products.

[@kierenkeith6446]

Isn’t there a dedicated Hornby layout design program I have forgot its name but it’s on the website (and no it’s not railmaster).

[@glenshielrailway5696]

AnyRail 6. It's incredibly simply to use and the trial version is free! You're limited to 50 pieces of track but that's never been a problem for me as you can make every piece as long or short as you like.

[@elsbridgeproductions]

I use Hornby Track Master. Its not the most optimised software but it gets the job done.

[@thattrainguy]

Is there going to be any oo9 on your layout? I like oo9, can you tell?

[@minsterscalemodels5220]

I used Anyrail, it was very good but took quite awhile to get used to .Also I purchased it, but wish I hadn’t now, as I no longer have a use for it, as all the track is laid, and not planning on building another layout for many years! I expect I shall be building the current one for at least another 10 years or so! Would recommend getting it tho, not tried any of the others mentioned here.

[@Razer-el1eg]

In using the track layout from the Hornby trackmat! Hopefully I'll get the track soon!

[@Stormtkmf]

That was nice quick one lol have fun will

[@ronclark9724]

Since I live in a caravan where my train layout is in my tiny bedroom, being retired I sleep on the couch, I have found the Hornby track mat layout with a few changes suitable for running sessions. Two basic ovals, second and third radius along with a straight at the ends widening the ovals. This allows for second radius curves with the inside ingernook branch/shunting yard. There are no first radius curves on my layout, too many locos cannot handle them. On a small 4'x6' table layout I can run two trains continuously at the same time, and when I am in the mood for shunting operations have a wonderful ingernook inside the Indy 500 ovals. There is plenty of room to model a shunting yard, and a small country station/halt with two platforms, along with a block of one side being a high street of shops with the other side of terrace homes. Condensing a layout is vital, the key of model railroading is imagination, your ovals are straight...Not to mention my platforms aren't long enough, some of my passengers have to jump... LOL... Yes, with such a small layout my trains are not long, I find three coaches and/or four to six wagons sufficient... There is no need for a heavy puller of long rakes...

[@disorganizedengineerparodi9624]

I just saw this...i nearly fainted And glad your back i realy missed you but you still the N.o 1 of my heart and im still watching your videos and bye XD

[@merryhamptonproductions6803]

When I plan a layout, I usually draw an idea of how i want my layout to be, well, laid out. Then I get some track, as well as some boxes to represent where buildings and structures will go, and plan on the baseboards in front of me. That's how I do it.

[@interestingrailwaysuk5703]

On my model railway (in my loft), in order to design the track plan I drew it out and when putting the track on the board used a tool from 3CP Tools that allows the curves to look nice and realistic (please please, whatever you do, DON'T PUT TIGHT CURVES ON YOUR LAYOUT!) :D My personal preference is not to do it on any software but simply by hand. It is up to you anyway. Cheers, Mark.

[@kingfisher1487]

I use mainly the old paper and pencil way before trying anyrail to design a layout, best way until you are happy with the layout plan, it safe throwing the pc out the window. remember that a layout does not have to be flat.

[@georgedavis5650]

I got a layout at my Dad's house I haven't used a computer layout software but I have used a the pictures on the back of the train boxes to think of a good layout for my bedroom

[@bendavies3620]

Use anyrail, it's the easiest and most up-to-date to use. It even features scale points from hornby, peco etc. As well as resin scaledale and scenecraft buildings and metcalfe kits.

[@westcliffmodelrailway30]

On my latest layout I doodled out the basic idea then built all the boards etc. Once the boards were built I used the actual track, locos, wagons and buildings to check clearances and the overall look before fixing anything down.

[@GWRailFan]

i usually draw a loop on a peace of paper and and add anything i can think off,

[@sukhoi3572]

I no it's not a piece of software but I used one of the plans from the peco setrack handbook and changed it slightly.

[@ScatteredGeek]

RailModeller, although I believe it’s Mac only. Find it pretty easy to use for the basics, but has the potential to get more complex with layering, multiple layers, buildings, scenery, etc., as you grow your skills with railway design, modeling, and building. I haven’t used it in a awhile, but it may now have a simulation mode for testing before building.

[@jaywadd316]

can you have a station like blackpool north because it has a fiddle yard right before the station itself if you need more info on it look online or possibly contact a train based youtuber called nodrog for more info

[@diedertspijkerboer]

I use XTrackCAD 5.1.0 It's free to download and quick and fun to use, once you get the hang of it. It's best for rectangular layouts, not so much L-Shaped ones and that sort. However, you can draw boxes that represents the part of the rectangle you're not using. It has a database with many brands from around the world and many scales of tracks. It also has some files for buildings and the like and you can custom-design building footprints. It is mostly 2D, but it does allow for different levels. It also has many features for doing all sorts of things, which I didn't use, though.

[@jacobwilson5468]

Good video.

[@AmeryJunction]

I just build it and have a go , just seeing how it goes .

[@NinthPlanet86]

I used AnyRail to design my layout. I've only got a 6'x4' board and Hornby track pieces, so it's nothing complicated. What I think the software lacks is the scenery/buildings side of things. It'd be nice to design curved platforms in it, for example.

[@fluo6610]

Hi Will, I have used AnyRail many times in the past for many layouts I haven‘t built 🙃. It is easy to use, has a large library of tracks in many scales as well as buildings (I added some of them) and there is a free version where you can build a layout with up to 50 pieces of track. Guido

[@sunnybankmodelrailway8681]

I used the same principle of cardiff canton as two line either side of the shed the loco sheds in the middle

[@RobA500]

As I'm not a Windows user most software is unavailable for me. I have used XtrkCAD on Linux to produce an N gauge layout with Kato Unitrack. It seems to work quite well but I've not really touched anywhere near its full potential. My 00 gauge was a piece of wood with some old plastic floor tiles attached to represent base boards and a grid drawn on them, and then a bit of free hand drawing using a pencil.

[@Games20210]

Any rail I really good and scarm looks good but haven't used

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Started with a load of track, the idea of a major station, TMD, fiddle yard and one or two other bits. No software, just add, change, adapt as I go along. A layout is always subject to change, so why go to the hassle and extra stage of drawing it, only to find you cannot achieve it exactly. Have used PECO printable track, very helpful. Hope that helps

[@5tttt]

I used scram but when are you going to show us the layout 🤔🤔

[@jth1987leb]

Damn!!! Those legs and shorts!

[@37116comet]

I used Google maps! I'm currently modelling a section of the Amlwch Branch on Anglesey, and I used google maps to see the shape of the line and see where any structures are that I can model. The rest is from photos online.

[@StevenJam]

One thing I've been thinking of doing is making predefined track sizes in photoshop just using the basic shape creation tool then laying it out that way. Similar to the paper track cut outs then laying those out except this one is digital :D

[@H007Chris]

Hi Will, I used SCARM, but my layout ended up only looking slightly like what I originally drew up, as is typical of model railways haha

[@PrimevalParadise]

I remember as a kid designing layouts with the extremely old Hornby Virtual Railway game which is sadly so outdated it can't run on modern PCs. Nowadays however I tend to sketch out with pencil and paper the type of designs I want to go for, to which my simple advice is to base your vision off of a real life railway track, regardless of if that line still exists or not

[@mickjames73]

Anyrail is quite good especially if you export to google sketchup for 3d elevation. Has track libraries for most scales and leading manufacturers. Can also be used for planning scenery and building placement and other lineside infrastructure

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

I would just put 2 pieces of track next to each other, have a train drag race and call it a day 😀

[@hamilton9479]

Used 'Anyrail' for my layouts - Kato n and ho track for british N and oo gauge.

[@CallingAllStations]

I've always used AnyRail. The free version is all I've ever needed.

[@ronineter1]

Currently im building a Foldable layout with Marklin C-Track. For this im Using SCRAM for deciding how its going to look before im going to build it. Later I build the layout without screwing it down and test the playbility of the current setup. Then I Update the drawings according to that. And ofc continue this cylce untill im statisfied. To make the setup foldable, Im using solidworks to draw trackpieces for the track that is next to the fold lines and make those on my 3d printer. OFC, this is very complicated to do. But you have to do something if you dont have any spare room in youre house to put down a fixed layout.

[@Newmillsmodelrailway]

I’ve been using RailModeller Pro - quite good

[@davidmorris3017]

Anyrail 6 preferred software

[@chazco]

I ave used SCARM and currently experimenting with Anyrail

[@StevesTrains]

I like AnyRail software, it is pretty easy to use. There is an image of the track diagram I did with it on this page here: www.steves-trains.com/n-scale-mini-layout

[@The_BaconGuy]

XtrackCAD i have used to design my shunting layout

[@dookie5053]

Good old pen & paper. Though most of the time I just make what comes to my head

[@befrank88]

I have tried to use an iPad app called "Train Design". It is not very good. First off living in the USA, this app will not switch over from metric, so trying to quickly determine the size of a layout is a pain. It does include many different manufacturers of track. Designing your own layout is not intuitive.

[@dylanhale7300]

Anyrail is fantastic for the price. And if you ever decide to automate the layout, you can rip the plan and use in to build the digital switch board...

[@kevinslade9262]

I use XtrackCad since is is free and supports multiple Operating Systems including Linux. This has lots of track support and elevation support.

[@tjfSIM]

I would say AnyRail is a very good option - much easier to use than Templot, but still quite powerful with some good features.

[@BirchleyJunction]

Graph paper, a pair of compasses, a pencil, a steel rule and a protractor. Then when the baseboards down full size cutouts of the peco points to check I got everything right

[@BirchleyJunction]

And if I were to have to make my own track to fit an awkward curve (which I might need to do if Peco dont hurry up with more bullhead points), Templot

[@Oorail]

Rail Modeller Pro for the Mac is pretty decent - www.railmodeller.com/home-railmodeller.html. Trax Editor as a few others have mentioned is worth a look, although they seem to have run into some problems with spammers on their platform. Personally, I use real Track Plans, Ordnance Survey Maps and Google Maps UK, take elements that I like and condense them down to OO scale. Usually I'll ball park the track and points, when it arrives, I usually just start laying out the track by hand. When I'm happy with it, I'll make sure it makes sense operationally, and then check to make sure there are enough clearances for scenery etc. Then nail it down and wire it up. The only time I've used planning software is after the track has been installed to create diagrams or images etc.. I did a video a few years ago on Rail Modeller Pro if you want to check it out before buying it.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYeQo6WAjc2WaMk

[@eurostarlover0098]

How about trainz Simulator? There's also hornby virtual railway.... It available on amazon.

[@ExplosiveCookie]

AnyRail is damn good - bit expensive but worth it!

[@caramobilekids545]

I have been using SCARM for the past few years. It stands for simple computer aided railway modeler. It has almost every guage and also has accessories such as containers or road signs. Just Google SCARM and you will see it. P.S. Love your vids keep up the good work

[@caramobilekids545]

It is also free unless you go over the item limit per file. At this point you will have to by a licence key. I get round this by just using more than one file

[@MichaelHenfrey]

I use templot, But I wouldn't recommend trying to learn it all in a week lol!

[@stf2222]

You might take a look at the program scarm. I use it at reasonable cost.

[@coopergreen7578]

scarm used to be free u know

[@stf2222]

I do know that. But to be honest not averything stays free these times. It is still worth the money i think.

[@icklebean0365]

I used a pencil and paper but for the intrecut design I use 2d design for full sized drawings

[@VattenDemonen]

I use anyrail and my vits to Spice it up a bit

[@soultaker0210]

i use AnyRail, couldn't get on with Scarm

[@TravelJackJourneys158]

I use Pen & paper to design my layout when I got lots of track and I bought my first train and I use that to my plan on the model railway My model was built just 1 type of train I have got lots of trains the same type with different numbers

[@chuffatrainman]

Anyrail cos its free and although its limited to 50 pieces you can plan it modules.

[@brenninsmodeltrains2398]

You should try using scarm

[@technickuk]

I use SCARM, but have heard that AnyRail is good.

[@tomasoliver5608]

Anyrail 6.It has a decent trial version as well.

[@coobanorth]

Anyrail is amazing

[@railandmodel]

Old school, pen & paper.

[@markgeerin5928]

free lance. think of what i wanted in a layout eg engine yard and turntable, split level, two goods yard some where goods train cime from and somewhere to go to , main station , a coach sidings. two main lines and a branch line. these are the things i thought of than just planed the layout on good old pen and paper. regards Mark

[@adrianpreston5245]

I've always used Anyrail even tho it's not. Completely free I only have a small space so it works for me

[@aaroncook9054]

I just go off the top of my head and it works

[@SteamTech_4468]

SCARM i used anyrail seemed good but i didn't want to pay for it so i used scarm instead

[@stevebarnes2]

I use AnyRail, even bought the licence

[@intercity-mq6qv]

Well I did not disine the layout is just bilt and it went from there

[@trainlover16]

100th like!

[@matthewdemicoli1611]

25 like and great vid.

[@Kashi-K]

its confirmed IC82 is short

[@Bill-pv8ck]

SCARM all the way my mans

[@spare1114]

Yeah, do it mate.