I designed and built most of my B&M Eastern Route HO layout using pencil & paper. But when I wanted a track plan to publish on the net, I couldn't get good results from scanning my drawn/erased/redrawn plans. So in 2010 I redrew my layout (approximately) using the free Windows/Mac/Unix XtrkCAD software. My first plan is posted to page 3 of my layout thread.
Since then, I've used XtrkCAD for a couple of structure drawings, the circuit diagrams for my signal system, string charts for the NMRA AP Chief Dispatcher certificate and a few other projects. Tonight I started something new: Producing track overlays while working with 1:1 building designers to ensure the track involved can actually be built.
Looking over the sub-forums, I settled on Modeling Wizardry. Comments and contributions welcome. I can't post anything about the buildings I might be working on till the owners are ready to go public, either to potential donors or local government permitting. So here's an XtrkCAD string chart:
TT6SatAMGraph.jpeg
Another thing you can do with the newest XTrackCAD is put an overhead photo background in a layout you're designing. If you scale the photo correctly vs. the scale you're modeling, you can put XTRackCAD tracks over the prototype as below:
Screenshot From 2025-06-25 18-10-18.png
Above I've started putting standard curves and turnouts over the existing tracks visible on the aerial photo.
Screenshot From 2025-06-27 13-39-29.png
I turned that into a proof-of-concept for a 5 track carhouse using the existing 2-track carhouse site. Most important, from my PoV as Track Superintendent, I can do it with curve radii greater than 200 feet using #4 and #5 turnouts. Those sharp frog numbers may not be available from stock these days, but they'll still be simpler, quicker and cheaper to buy than (for instance) 78/180 foot radius curved streetcar frogs.
James,
Very interesting in how you added tracks to the photo.
So many things to learn here. My next learning process is to learn how to edit videos using DaVinci Resolve Video Editing.
Tom
Thanks, Tom. I've never used DaVinci Resolve, but I've done some simple editing using the freeware Kdenlive tool: Titles, cropping, cutting/splicing, narration. Several were cab rides on others' layouts presented at the Spring 2022 NERx on-line event.
I've been working on Seashore's new carbarn plan today. The final track plan will be done by professionals working with the engineers designing the building. But I've found it useful to start with a detailed look into what would work and how, so we can be fairly sure the pros won't have to backtrack. Because doing work twice is the easiest way to make it cost twice as much and take twice as long.
Riverside2_19Feb26_v3.jpg
I did a few things differently this time: I told XTrackCAD to use O scale, because it's easy to convert the Draw > Ruler function's layout inches to real world feet. I adjusted the size of the background image to within a couple of percent of exact O scale: I matched the 200 foot length of the carbarn we're replacing. And the committee has decided they don't need 5 through tracks, though they will frame the north wall so 5 doors could be installed if wanted someday.
James models in 1-1 scale :)
dave
Quote from: deemery on February 19, 2026, 08:12:18 PMJames models in 1-1 scale :)
dave
I would too IF I had unlimited financial resources.
Even HO gauge is expensive today.
I can handlay a plain HO switch in an afternoon. With about six of us and a small crane it took about 15 working days to build a 1:1 switch. Knowing HO track first gave me a head start on the theory of 1:1 track. But there's a great deal of practical between the theory and an actual switch.
Quote from: jbvb on February 19, 2026, 10:47:53 PMI can handlay a plain HO switch in an afternoon. With about six of us and a small crane it took about 15 working days to build a 1:1 switch. Knowing HO track first gave me a head start on the theory of 1:1 track. But there's a great deal of practical between the theory and an actual switch.
And No 0-5-0 to fix derailments!
dave