Track Planning Software: XTrkCAD

[jbvb]

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:

[jbvb]

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:



Above I've started putting standard curves and turnouts over the existing tracks visible on the aerial photo.



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.

[ACL1504]

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

[jbvb]

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.