After developing your concept, or theme, youre now ready to consider various model railroad track plans. It runs on windows, mac and linux, simulation of trains. Dec 09, 2015 ho scale 4 x 8 track plans posted by bnsfnewmexico on wednesday, december 9, 2015 5. Track planning basics n scale, ho, oo gauge youtube. Many modelers end up with more locomotives than they could ever run at once. Model railroad layout design track drawing software cadrail. The unusal feature of this design is philadelphia staging located inside the large peninsula. Model railroader is the worlds largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. Ho scale for kids although ho scale is more popular here in germany, these are mostly n scale track plans fleischmann, because the 9mm gauge is a convenient size for a model railroad layout at home.
From tabletop z scale, through 4x8s, roomsized layouts, basement and outbuilding empires and a full scale ethanol plant, 3rd planit is the cad software chosen by the most discriminating hobbyists. Unfortunately for fastrack users, lionel has not yet released track design software. Download this track plan from the february 2020 issue of model railroader magazine. Lionel train layout software plans 3d model train interior. Layout tour bn pacific division in amazing detail ho scale duration. Design software allows you to try numerous configurations until you have a track you really like. I dont really want to buy a software because id use it so little so i was wondering what you guys think is the best free software. Scarm software simple computer aided railway modeller. Simply print this page, then cut out and arrange the pieces as needed. If you have a mac, empire express by haddon is a very good basic 2d system without a lot of bells and whistles. Medium layout model railway track plans, model trains, n.
This allows you to easily use buildings designed for another scale in your track plan as placeholders, or templates for scratchbuilding. I have seen adverts for payware track layout planning software. Ho railroad from start to finish model railroad handbook, no 36by jim kellyeditor, michael emmericheditor paperback july 1993 48 top notch track plans. This plan is based on a small n scale layout being build by jan dreyer of south africa. A quick, super easy and free method to plan a layout with realistic constraints using layout design software called anyrail.
Ho scale model railroad trains layout bachmann ez track silver super. Then the atlas track planning software is just the thing for you. Thousands of layouts have been designed and built using 3rd planit. Cad based software will guarantee everything will fit and operate as designed. Ho is the largest selling scale worldwide, with the n scale in second place. A model trains scale is its size compared to the size of a real train.
These layouts were drawn using two types of software mths railware software for realtrax, and atlas os right track software. Pravin wanted to model the large container terminals he passes on his way to work, so i based this very loosely on the elizabethnewark area of new jersey, borrowing. Download this track plan from the january 2020 issue of model railroader. Waltherstm code 83 track planning template scale use this handy template to plan code 83 track projects planning your next track improvement or layout rebuilding project is easy with this template. It comes with some predesigned race tracks which can be edited by the user as per requirements. The key is to use the software to do the curves for you, that way you wont be doing it inaccurately by hand. When you purchase a custom designed track plan from me, you can rest assured the design will fit the available space and will operate as drawn. For years i used the all gauges track planning template in the back of kalmbachs book 101 track plans for model railroaders by veteran model railroader linn westcott. John allens famous timesaver switchingpuzzle layout, using atlas code80 n scale sectional track plan name.
Libraries for many brands, scales and gauges of track and turnoutspoints and model structures are included. Xtrackcad is a cad program for designing model railroad layouts. Ho scale 4 x 8 track plans model railroader magazine. The second step is optional if you do your scale drawing correctly and id say the same if you use a software scale drawing using one of the availalbe applications. For example, a ho scale locomotive is approximately 187th the size of a real locomotive. Anyrail model railroad track planning and layout design software for the pc with sectional track and flex track of many manufacturers atlas model railroad company produces ho and n scale model trains, track, vehicles, structure kits, and preassembled structures. Train plans layouts change directions free model railway track layout.
Lest you think these tools are somehow less effective than software, i used a template to create a very complex triple deck layout design. Its no fun, and a waste of time, to convert the plan into track and roadbed, only to discover it doesnt fit. Obviously, some heavy compromises are in order to fit ho scale on such small tables. Model railroad logging track plans model train swap meet adelaide. This ho scale track plan was designed for a space measuring 18 x 18. Atlas began with ho scale track products 60 years ago when our founder, stephen j. Anyrail is probably the easiesttouse model railway design tool around. Best free track planning software o gauge railroading on.
This space could a contain a dispatchers desk, as well. Rr track v5 is the answer for all your toy or model train layout design headaches. I want to get a track planning software to help design my new layout. A fast, easy and free way to plan a layout with realistic constraints. A 10foot x 12foot mountain pass roomsized layout features mountain scenery. Here i will give a short tut on the basics of getting started with the software. Readers then can explore your track plan interactivly, scrolling and zooming in as they like. One of the most revered chapters in railroad history was the construction of the massive four track mainlines by the eastern trunk railroads, particularly the pennsylvania railroad and the new york central system. Due to the age of some of the plans, some may reference out of production or discontinued track items or old pricing. Some images on ho model railroad track planning software. Modelrailroad track planning software which one do you. Ho scale track plans for model train layouts the spruce. The plan depicts the lancaster yard and the new holland subdivision. This is the most complete online database for free model train track plans and layouts of scarm projects and designs.
Powerful model railroad track planning editor for easy and precise design of scaled. Enjoy designing your layout anyrail ensures everything fits. Software is available from various companies if you wish to design your unitrack layout on a computer. Show off your trains with an ho showcase track plan that uses two outer loops for running with a turntable and tracks to display the rest of the collection. Layout plans plans have been divided according to the type of track arrangement, and the size of board they require. Trax supports over a hundred track programs from various manufacturers, including marklin, fleischmann, peco and tillig. Subscribe today to download a pdf version of any of our track plans. If you have a large inventory of ho scale slot car track sections on hand you can physically lay out your proposed track design ideas on your table and try them out. Select pieces from atlas 9 track lines and build your dream layout with ease. This software allows you to create and customize your very own layout, view it as a 3d model and then generate a shopping list to make your dream layout a reality.
Ho scale code 100 layout packages, ho scale track atlas. Carrera layout track planner is a free track planning software for windows which lets you design race tracks, especially for formula f1. Track plans have been designed using atlas right track software freeware v5. User layouts gallery trainplayer software for model. Tracks ho hand laid track templates short versions, without curved turnouts. If you are searching for layouts and track plans in ho scale, check the following link. Model flextrack routes in an easy, intuitive and realistic way. Anyrail the easiest model railroad design software.
The most popular scale choices are o 148th, ho 187. Atlas track planning software is one of the easiest programs to use for your track planning for your model railroad. Ho scale, o scale, and even a football field sized g. Scarm means simple computer aided railway modeller software for easy and precise design of model train layouts and railroad track plans. Model railroad layout design track drawing software. Best track planning software model railroader magazine model.
The information on the first part of this page has to do with the basic building blocks and various schematics that can be used in forming your basic track plan. Whether it is z, n, tt or h0, any scale is possible. Layouts including a continuous run are filed under the first category, with modular plans, that may be incorporated into many different types of layout. Adding new components is easy with the builtin editor. Download the files and see them in 2d editor and 3d viewer of scarm track planner. Scarm the leading design software for model railroad layouts. This page provides a directory of model railroad manufacturers offering track, roadbed, and bridges, plus track planning and layout design software, for g, ho, n, o, s, and z scale model railroad layouts. Ho railroad from start to finish model railroad handbook. Please note that kato usa cannot provide individual support for these plans and they are supplied as examples only. I printed the plan at full scale to do the actual layout, and only a. Atlas layout packages are a hasslefree way to get started in the hobby and include all of the track needed to build your own layout so you can get to the fun part of running trains.
Track planning software choices when i started in the hobby the only way to draw a track plan was to do it by hand with a pencil, eraser, ruler, and geometry set. Is there any freeware available for, say, hornby or peco settrack planning. Quick tutorial atlas track planning software youtube. Free ho model railroad track planning software binims. When it comes to turnouts, rather than fullsize photocopies, i just use the real thing to check locations before actually laying track.
One of the easier model railroad software programs to master that doesnt cost much its free, is the track planning software available for download from the website as freeware and works fairly well for simple layout designs. Using these software, you can design different types of tracks, like race tracks, railway tracks, roads, etc. The standard library with automatic rescaling makes all objects available in all scales so you can easily place buildings and rolling stock in any scale drawing. Tworail tracks cause a short circuit in a reverse loop, if not wired correctly. Its also entirely independent, so you can build with almost any track. The track plan allows continuous running of both passenger and freight trains as well as shuntingswitching operations in the station, sidings and the fiddle yard on the lower level. Scale model railroad museum model train layouts g z s scale. No more templates to struggle with, no messy erasing and scribbling, no emergency table extensions propped on sawhorses, no last second hacking of the xmas tree, just pop up the menus off this fully graphical software in the gauge of your choice and plan away.
Jul 17, 2016 track plans often look good on paper, but sometimes fail the practicality test. Unless the project is big, i would skip track planning software and use a track planning template and paper and pencil. Scale train sets model train design software o n ho scale. It is inexpensive, easily and quickly learned and easy to use. Compact ho scale layout design featuring single line which passes via small station with sidings and small town with factory and dairy plant.
N scale, 15 foot by 5 foot l shelf, wall mounted 57 inches above floor. Simple tabletop benchwork will work for all of the plans. But the sacrifice might be worth it if you really want an ho scale layout in an n scale space. Download free printable track planning templates for all popular ho scale switches.
Most individuals are easily intimated by cad drawing software. Model railroad track design drawing cad software application scale layout plan cadrail. Jan 04, 2009 model railroader is the worlds largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. With scarm you can easily create the layout of your dreams. User layouts gallery trainplayer software for model railroaders. In these software, you will find different categories of tracks. N scale model trains, model train layouts, scale models, ho scale train layout, model railway track plans, ho trains, rolling stock, plan design, classic toys hochbetrieb im hafen h0. Track planning software choices model railroad layout.
From model railroader magazine model railroad handbook, no 39by bob hayden paperback february 1994. Rotate switches in the direction you indicate and bend flexible track without cumbersome menu options and mouse clicks. This plan provides the action of a 4 track main in a reasonable 16 by 16 foot area. Discover the different train track layouts you can use in an ho scale that range from elaborate mountain passes to industrial scenes.
The quantities shown on the following plans reflect piece, not package, quantities. When i started in the hobby the only way to draw a track plan was to do it by hand with a pencil, eraser, ruler, and geometry set. What track planning software do you find is the best. The original plan calls for a 5 track train turntable beneath the paper mill, but this has been replaced by a conventional staging yard for ease of viewing. A fast, easy and free way to plan a layout with realistic.
Plans on this site have been designed using anyrail track planning software, available from the files used to make the plans can be found on the download page, meaning you can view the required parts and adjust them for your own requirements. Recycled plastic railroad ties replace wood ties or build your new loop from recycled plastic and never touch it again. Model railroad software building your model railroad. Heres a few things i have learned since starting to plan my new layout. We frequently get requests for unitrack track plans, so we have put together this section to feature some plans. Anyrail is probably the easiest to use imo with a smallish layout it is free it is limited to 50 pieces of track indeed ive heard good things about anyrail, but if you needwant more than 50 pieces. The client wanted to model the area around lancaster, pa. You can use the filter buttons and site search to locate plans by scale, prototype, state, size, and other characteristics. A large sectional track plan, designed for preexisting benchwork. In particular, the 15 minimum radius will drastically limit the rolling stock you can use. Just download the setup package, install it and start editing your first track plan. What you will end up with is an actual scale drawing of your plan that. You are welcome to construct these track plans for your own enjoyment, but the designs must not be copied or reproduced without hornby hobbies ltds prior written consent. Model railroad design application model railroad track drawing cadrail model railroad track design drawing cad software application scale layout plan cadrail.
This article lists best free track designer software for windows. Search for track plans by size, scale, type and issue where it first appeared. Best model railroad layout design software ho scale train layouts pdf. Best track planning software model railroader magazine. However, feel free to get inspired for other scales, or other manufacturers like kato, arnold, atlas, minitrix or peco. Model train layout track plans these model railroad track plans have all been designed for the scale indicated, and can be freely copied as long as they are not sold or offered as part of a commercial product. For my ho layout, using walthersshinohara turnouts, various ws curve sections. Hence, these software will be beneficial for civil engineers.
The grid on the plans, when it exists, is 1 x 1 foot for the scale indicated. Ho 49 ho scale track faqs why should i use atlas track. Track plans gallery on this page you can view many of the layout designs i have created for other modelers in recent years. Jun 06, 2016 a quick, super easy and free method to plan a layout with realistic constraints using layout design software called anyrail.
The easiest way to design a track though is to use slot car track design software. Search it for railway layouts and railroad track plans by scale, size, tracks and other criteria. Select pieces from atlas 9 track lines and build your dream layout. Many of the plans are designed using first radius curves, and therefore may not be suitable for modern rolling stock. You can link them together on screen to create your entire layout trackplan. Anyrail makes model railroad design so easy, its fun. Worldfamous, affordable atlas snaptrack, superflex track. Accurate turnout templates are key to achieving optimal geometry and knowing you can build exactly what you design.