Recommend some layout software

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Aster1

Aster1

New Member
Hi Everyone,

I'm getting back into railroading after being gone from it for about 7 years. Want to design a layout in N scale again, not a modular design but a layout in a walk around design. I have approx. 7'x14' that I can work with and still leave room for my wife to walk thru to the other storage area. Will want a switch yard and to destination this layout and will model in the Southwest style w/ UP and ATSF. Here are my two initial questions:

1) Could you steer me to some good layout software. Any help with a starting direction will be appreciated. Use to be something called Abracdata or some such thing like that.

2) Also, when I left, Peco rated better than the Atlas track and turnouts. Any change that I've missed and is Peco worth the extra $$? Is there a better way to go w/o spending more $$ than Peco?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Aster
 
Thanks for the tip Mike,

I've got 'er downloaded and will study up on using it tomorrow. I also stumbled across the Atlas freeware RTS 8.0v and loaded that. I presume you prefer XTrackCAD maybe? Also, any help on the Peco vs Atlas track/turnout options? I know the Peco has brown rails and the Atlas black but I won't really get my undie's in much of a bunch over that once it has ballast on it. I just pretend they have good ol' creosote on them from the 40's-50's which is the era I tend to hover to.

Thanks again and looking forward to all the good tips other have and avoid the stubbed toes that many have come across w/ modeling.

Aster :)
 


No problem, I'm new to the forums too.

I've used Atlas RTS 8.0v before but I feel that XTrackCAD has more flexibility with it. You can make some pretty cool things with it. Be aware though the beginners guide has only covered the basics so far they are still working on more advanced things to show new users how to use.

As for the Atlas vs. Peco turnouts I have never used Peco turnouts. But from what I hear they are pretty darn good. Maybe a more experienced user can tune in for us?

Mike
 
Aster1 said:
I also stumbled across the Atlas freeware RTS 8.0v and loaded that. I presume you prefer XTrackCAD maybe?
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The last time I looked at RTS, it had only Atlas products in its library. XTrackCAD has track and structure libraries from many manufacturers.

Aster1 said:
Also, any help on the Peco vs Atlas track/turnout options? I know the Peco has brown rails and the Atlas black but I won't really get my undie's in much of a bunch over that once it has ballast on it.
Click to expand...
The rail color for Atlas N-scale Code 55 is silver, not black! Or were you referring to the ties? They aren't black either, at least in Code 55, the Atlas ties are brown.

Atlas N-scale Code 55 track and turnouts have tie spacing that is correct for U.S. railroads. The tie spacing of Peco Code 55 is not correct for U.S. railroads.

- Jeff
 
Jeff, I think he means tie color, not rail color. I agree that RTS is severely limited by only using Atlas products. You are much better off with XtrkCAD. There are also a ton of layout plans already done at the XtrkCAD Yahoo group that you can import into the program and modify to suit your needs.
 
Thanks to all for the help! I was thinking Atlas code 80 track w/ black ties vs. the Peco Brown ties. I guess I can look at code 55 as I think all my stock has Micro-Trains wheel sets and could change the few out that didn't. Any major advantages/pitfalls on 80 vs 55 outside of the "more prototypical" aspect? When I'm back 3 feet, and now that I'm over 50, "I no see pretty good" :) anyway so I just want more trouble free operations as my priority.

I had forgotten about Micro Engineering flex track and turnouts. As I recall they look really good and from the prices don't look that much more $$ than the Atlas and Peco stuff now. Any input on that?

I'll get busy with the XtrkCAD software and forget learning the RTS product. I'll look over the MR article on software as well. Again, thanks for all the tips. Lot's of changes, but much the same. I see the dollar vs the whatever has messed with the prices allot on products. Are Atlas & Kato N loco's still made in Japan or the "dreaded China?" I hate buying anything but fine dinner plates from China. With my 3 small business we try to purchase as much American made product as possible. China is one of the last on the list for quality, not to mention the other good reasons to not fund their coffers.

Thanks! :D

Aster
 
Aster1 said:
Thanks to all for the help! I was thinking Atlas code 80 track w/ black ties vs. the Peco Brown ties. I guess I can look at code 55 as I think all my stock has Micro-Trains wheel sets and could change the few out that didn't. Any major advantages/pitfalls on 80 vs 55 outside of the "more prototypical" aspect? When I'm back 3 feet, and now that I'm over 50, "I no see pretty good" :) anyway so I just want more trouble free operations as my priority.

I had forgotten about Micro Engineering flex track and turnouts. As I recall they look really good and from the prices don't look that much more $$ than the Atlas and Peco stuff now. Any input on that?

I'll get busy with the XtrkCAD software and forget learning the RTS product. I'll look over the MR article on software as well. Again, thanks for all the tips. Lot's of changes, but much the same. I see the dollar vs the whatever has messed with the prices allot on products. Are Atlas & Kato N loco's still made in Japan or the "dreaded China?" I hate buying anything but fine dinner plates from China. With my 3 small business we try to purchase as much American made product as possible. China is one of the last on the list for quality, not to mention the other good reasons to not fund their coffers.

Thanks! :D

Aster
Click to expand...

Just wait until the bill comes into the US government for the money we owe them for helping us keep afloat!!! HaHaHa! :confused:

Also, you get what you pay for, and if they are content to use sweat shops to manufacture things, then the work will be shoddy.
 


Peco switches are still produced in the UK. Kato, ME, and Atlas are all produced in China. It's almost impossible to be in model railroading and not buy things that are made primarily in China.

I'm not an N scaler but I think rail size is really important for a realistic layout. Code 55 really does look much better than code 80. I don't think it's much harder to work with than code 80 and the results look better. ME makes nice track but their flex track is harder to get into smooth curves. It takes some practice to use it but I think the effort is worth it. ME does make the best looking, reasonably priced track around.
 
i like anyrail. it is really friendly to work with


Larry Launstein Jr said:
I have heard of people actually using Trainz software to help them with their layout building and scenery planning.

They do have a section in their software where you can learn to build your own virtual layout.
http://www.ts2010.com/index.php
Click to expand...

i heard this as well and tried that. in HO scale. its an awesome software and hypothetical possibility of taking a virtual train ride on your own layout is thrilling. as fun as the software is it's really not geared for such task.
 
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