Amazing Computer-Added Design System for your Model Railroad - Model Railroad Layout Design

[@davidpaul8289]

Great software. Been using it for years. It's so easy to print out full size, tape pages together and lay on the benchwork as an aid in track laying. Time and aggravation saver.

[@ToyManTelevision]

That is exactly how I use it! But not this software. But love it!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Another great informative video. Cad seems to work out just right.

[@ToyManTelevision]

It sure does! 🚂🚂🚂. I kind of wing things using Adobe’s illustrator which I’ll be showing in an upcoming video rather than use one of these more complicated programs. Only because it’s what I’m used to doing!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

@@ToyManTelevision Now you are cooking with gas. Stick to what you are use to doing. What works for you is the best think in the world.

[@loispadgett6306]

That was every interesting to see how to do it with the computer. If I only had the money and room to do something like that I would. Always fun to learn new ways of track planning thanks for sharing. GOD BLESS 🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕

[@ToyManTelevision]

Glad you enjoyed it! God bless you too!! 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚂🚂🚂🚀

[@billj5645]

Very interesting and much more sophisticated than I expected before viewing the video. I've been using autocad in my engineering profession almost since it was invented and this is many orders or magnitude better than just creating a layout with conventional drawing software.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks for watching! I love that you can even use a drawing program to create something so incredible! 🚂. I’ve seen CAD forever, I used to teach 3-D animation and there’s a lot of overlap between CAD and 3-D. I can’t say that I’ve ever used any of these systems to design track, I’ve just used Adobe illustrator because it works for me. But then that’s just me!

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great vidio, wow this is a far cry from a 4x8 sheet and a box of track. Guess if your building a shop to house your layout this would be a great way to go. Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@ToyManTelevision]

Pretty much! ☕️☕️☕️🚂🚂🚀🚀 I’m working on a track plan… er modification? Designed? Anyway Sunday..

[@W_Grizzified]

I used a software called AnyRail to make my N scale Kato unitrack layout. It’s a lot of fun to use and I like how I can easily make changes and work out how I wanted my layout to be. It has the track libraries included. You can try it for free up to 50 pieces of track. Hopefully this will help someone.

[@ToyManTelevision]

That’s the key to modular track. It works best if you have a track plan that shows you exactly which modules to use. If you’re sort of winging, you’re likely to end up with the situation where you can’t bring the two sections together and even if it’s off a tiny amount you end up with a kink.

[@johnandrus3901]

Interesting. That may be the way to go, if you are designing a very large layout. Mine is O gauge and quite a bit smaller, as my basement has been subdivided, so I didn't have the room to do what I really would have liked. Either way, that is one fantastic layout. An excellent video, as always.

[@geoffreycarter3572]

One of the nice features of this software is the ability to draw in any scale e.g. N, HO, S, O, etc.

[@ToyManTelevision]

With O gauge I (THINK) everyone uses modular three rail track. Modular is its own challenge. I think there are systems to help come up with plans that show what modules to use and where.

[@trainroomgary]

Hi from Michigan - I am also a Mac User! 👍

[@ToyManTelevision]

1984. Right off the truck in a bookstore parking lot! The line stretched about 300 feet. At the front, you gave a check to a person for $1,100 and moved down and they gave you a big box and you had 128 Mac! . I still had the 286 PC but the new world opened up. That was about 15 Macs ago

[@trainroomgary]

@@ToyManTelevision Thanks for sharing that story. I taught H,S. Graphic Arts & Photography for 36 years. These businesses are Mac Based. I have never owned a P.C. 🖥

[@historybuff7491]

Good info.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi again. THANKS!

[@RozzmanLists]

My favorite software is the 3D-Train Studio. With version 9 it is now also available on the Steam platform. There's a free version to let you try everything out first.

[@davidkoehler136]

fancy !

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. Thanks!! 😊

[@sammisworkshops3762]

software is a tad pricey, however it is super flexible. Still using paper and pencil here. ;) I am doing some CAD for the 3d printers so it may happen for track planning too.

[@ToyManTelevision]

@@sammisworkshops3762 yep. I think if I were starting a large indoor railroad, I would really consider it. In my current situation, I’ve pretty much already got everything designed, well pretty much! I have some curvatures to figure out, but I know where the track is going to go and how it’s going to work. And most of it’s already built

[@antonbruce1241]

I've used 3D-Planit. Rather a learning curve, but works great!!! Now if my wife would let me build....

[@ToyManTelevision]

Build a shelf! Go small for now but build!!

[@nanashi1879]

I've used a computer program called AnyRail for the last 5 years. It's a great software with lots of track libraries. I've been able to draft plans for my 1:20.3 scale dual gauge layout with over 3000ft of track. The program gives you a material list so you know what switch points, feet of flex track, or number of modular track pieces are needed for the layout.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Wow!!! Is your railroad on KZbin anywhere? Love to see it! 😊😊

[@Bigboy4018]

I have used SCARM with good success.

[@ToyManTelevision]

I need to take a look. I use Adobe Illustrator. Not CAD. But it helps..

[@sammisworkshops3762]

Their is a kit (around 5-600.00 last I looked) for the Maslow CNC. It uses an regular router and some stepper motors and cables and can cut CNC designs into a full 4x8 sheet of plywood. I have been following the development of it for a couple years now. It would make the job of cutting out plywood sheets much simpler. Shipping the parts could be a bear, altho something could be arranged.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Wow!!!!!!😊😊😮😮

[@frankneher9192]

The hardest part to that program besides the cost is the significant learning curve to use

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup! It is a big program but it may be worth the effort to learn if you’re doing a very big layout. I’m using the same old software I’ve used for years. I just don’t have the time to learn new software. I’d rather build my layout!!😊😊

[@tomas5376]

Modern plans hopefully make your layout easier!🚂🚂🚂

[@ToyManTelevision]

@@tomas5376 hi. Yup. I use everything. Software. Pencil. Templates. Anything to figure it out! 🚂🚂🚂

[@azmike1]

Perhaps those under the age of 30 can use this program? I am using graph paper and imagination. But that computer software is amazing! I won't live long enough to learn how to use it. Ha! Ha! Ha!

[@johnandrus3901]

I did 95% of my layout in my head. My room has multiple angles, so after I decided on a track plan, I got out the graph paper to make sure that the platforms would fit, without making it difficult to walk around. Then, I marked the floor with white-out for the shape and that was it. If you have a huge layout, like this gentleman, then this type of software is probably the way to go.

[@ToyManTelevision]

I love to use software. And a pencil. And clay and wood to build a tiny version. AND make changes right on the benchwork.

[@davevan8864]

To costly for someone drawing plans by hand for 50 years.....but to each his own

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup... I use software but not to finalize anything. I still love a pencil and pad. Doodles in the margins. Check the opening... THATS A REAL PLAN! Right down to the coffee stain.

[@obvious2886]

I use scarm which is free , there are a lot of free softwares. Autocad is also free

[@vinnyheaphy1372]

All of that would be impossible for my track plan for a building area of: 180 feet by 200+/- feet with Already grown plants in the layout!! Does anyone know where I can get garden gauge flex-track in Phoenix? I really don't want to lay individual Rails when all I see is wavy lines or NO lines at all!! It really sucks going Blind!!!

[@ToyManTelevision]

I need to do a show on the different ways of using flex track in the garden. I’m using Llagas creek. The problem is that you have to use their rail and ties and the tie fit really really tight on the rails. That’s an upside when you finally get it all worked out, but it’s a downside when you’re trying to bend it and get it to the exact right shape because it doesn’t move very easily on the rails. I used to use LGB ties. They come in boxes of strips that are about 6 inches long and fit really really loosely on the rails.Only problem is they look like European track. More over their designed to work with LGB rail. And the whole thing can get quite expensive.😊

[@vinnyheaphy1372]

@ToyManTelevision