Track schematics software

LGB-Sid said:
Is it just me or do other people spend ages drawing up plans and then build something totally diffrent in the Garden :) I use autocad for track plans, way over the top but only becauese I use it for work.
Click to expand...
I find that plans are good as an indicator and starting point, but then reality takes over - All good plan fail at first contact :)
 
My "plans vs reality" was when my plans said I needed X track between the turnout and the curve, but on the layout I plainly needed less. Turned out that the plan was using R1 curves and the layout R2. Correcting the plan made it all work.

-----

To those recommending track planning software (please see original post), have you had any success in generating schematics directly from track plans? In my experience, schematics are usually most clear when they are not to scale (track spacing is wider, turnouts are chunkier, and long runs and curves are abbreviated away).
 
If i may chime in?
Why not get a wooden sheet of 5-6 mm in thickness and (let) that cut up in 3x3 or 5x5 cm pieces, so you can make your own ?jigsaw puzzle?

You can than glue or staple it to a bigger wooden sheet to make your track plan.
Here is where i got my idea from:
20230518_104338.jpg

With some led's sensors and other small electronica you could make something very nice?
Or even create a small matrix board where they could fall in.

Background story:
A couple of years(decades) ago we had the opportunity to get the old systems hart from the classification yard "kijfhoek" from the Dutch railroad.
Got several cradles left:cool:

EDIT:
or if you really want to use a program and print some thing with "modules": 3dbuilder from windows self can also do 2d! you only have to create your "modules" one time...copy copy copy ect

Or use xls, adapt the cell caracteristics to a squire form and make some pictures,scans drawings or heck even use your keyboard to create several "modules"

gscale.png
gscale2.png

Heck, if you have a 3d printer, just food for thoughts.
Give me a couple of days, i will make this also for myself, if you are interested i will share the stls.



With best regards Igor
 
Last edited:
Sorry it is not much for me, i will stick to analog....just plain toggle switches and wires,
Regarding drawings, 3dbuilder or a similar program, just simple.
Drill, put led {and/or} a switch on the board, solder some wires.{gwbasic}

with best regards Igor
 
I use the unrestricted (lifetime) version of Anyrail.
It is easy to learn and understand.
You can expand, or shrink your final layout and print it out.
Might be worth a try of the free version to see if it does what you need and if so , go for the unrestricted version.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom