Railway Layout
A little sideline has developed in the drawing of model railway layouts. So while I was looking around at the various options for designing a reasonable size 'N' gauge setup, I have pulled the various bits I've found together on this page.
Track Layout Software
Looking at the available software, I don't think that writing one's own component libraries is probably necessary, but from what I have seen of the various demo's there seems to be a bias towards American design in all of the available packages. I found Byron Henderson's Layout Design Software page which has a list of CAD programs and the rest of his site has some other useful information as well.
The one's I have had a look at are listed below
| Notes | Gauge | Price | |
| CADrail | 3D track layout package with large library of track components | ? up to O gauge | $60 |
| 3rdPlanIt | 3D track layout with a rolling stcok model facility | $125 | |
| Atlas Right Track | Free package but only supports Atlas track components | Atlas N, HO & O | Free |
| Hornby Virtual Railway | Virtual reality train set using Hornbytrack and stock - looks like a cheap way to take a train set with you on the move. | Hornby HO only? | £18 or less |
| XtrkCAD | 2D open source track layout package - also runs on Linux! | Any | Free |
| Templot | English track design package for model railways | Any | £46.50 |
| AnyRail | Dutch package - good library of track manufacturers only provides a simple 2D track layout facility. |
Any | £29 |
| 3D Railroad Concept And Design | 3D design package, optional simulation package also available There are several other interestingmodel related packages on this site. |
Any | $50 |
| Empire Express | One for Mac owners. Seems to have good range of track across all gauges | Any | $35 |
| RailModeller | Another Mac powered package. Appears to have an even bigger catalogue of parts than Empire Express | Any | $39 |
| RRTrack | Seems to be geared towards the larger gauges, but a good range of support. Could get expensive if you want multiple gauges. | Any | Priced per gauge aroud $80 per library |
Track Information
This gets me back to the reason for starting to look
Currently I've standardised on Peco 'N' gauge, but I do have some Peco G45track sitting in the garage with a view to running it around the garden. The starting point is just a sfew pictures of 'N' gauge stuff at present. Track gallery