Virtual Modeling; The Ultimate Arm Chair RR

[ginzokid]

Have any of you seen the computer softwear available for virtual model railroading? The August and September issues of Railroad Model Craftsman have the first two articles in a series about this type of program. I call it the ultimate arm chair model railroad. The software available is; Trainz Railroad Simulator, Microsoft Train Simulator and TrainMaster Train Simulator. These programs allow you to model terrain, track, structures, bridges, water, weather and day or night. Oh, and you can run the trains on your virtual railroad from the cab of the loco, track side, riding in a car; you name it. These programs are not designing tools as much as games. But you create the game board, your virtual railroad, and run it. Anyone have one of these? Opinions? B-)

[flaretired]

I have the MS Train Simulator and I also have a program called 3rd Planet. It is a CAD program for designing your RR. 3rd Planet allows you to look at your layout in 3D as you build it. Here is their web site address: Http//www.trackplanning.com I also have Atlas's program that lets you design your track plan only. This program is free to download @ http//www.atlasrr.com There are also several programs out there if you want to hook your computer up to your layout. With DCC you can run all your trains from the computer. MS Train Sim is a game only giving you different scenarios at different levels of difficulty. From Amtrak to the Orient Express. Chuck 🙂

[dl85vette]

I have the MS train sim. Only played with a few times. Some of the hauls are time consuming. I have trainz but can't seem to install it. Gotta love the internet and downloads. I like Flightsim a lot better than trainsim. Railroad Tycoon 2 was a fun game. I can waste more time with that than trainsim. to each their own. I like the idea of the model RR CAD programs as it allows you to design/build your layout on a screen and run trains on it to see if it works or see how it looks from an observation point. As with everything else, if you don't work with CAD at all then you could be spending a lot of time just trying to do something. sometimes you just gotta go and hammer some wood together and try running a run. I spend countless time in my room visualizing what I would like to try and visualize on how thr train would function serving an industry,etc. One could spend a year just trying to design that perfect layout. and without running any trains then you could burnout or get bored. I get burnt out visualizing stuff. Gotta lay some track to start seeing results. Dave Far from burnout due to laying track.

[ginzokid]

So am I hearing a dis-satisfaction with the virtual world? The articles I was talking about are definitely geared to operating the layout on your computer screen. It is not just a CAD program to design the possibilities. I have designed many layouts on my architectural CAD program, but these deals are supposed to give you a 3D view and operational ability. Is it all a game? Or is is serious alternative model railroading? B-)

[dl85vette]

It's only my opinion Pete. By all means get a copy and try it for yourself. Don't get me wrong,there are lots of neat ideas on the MS trainsim like deer on the track and blow the horn to shoo them off. Passing other trains etc,uncoupling cars. I just have other things I can do rather than run a scenerio for 45 minutes or so. Perhaps if I was single I would be glued to it like I used to be. I find I just don't play much computer games anymore. Part of it is the requirement for a killer fast computer. Dave

[flaretired]

What Dave said is true. You have to have a pretty strong computer to handel the graphics have played the heck out of mine. I like it because it is the closet thing for me to actually sitting in a cab of an engine. Also a good set of speakers helps with the sound. Chuck 🙂

[crazyd37]

Thanks for the thread. I just remembered that we have RR Tycoon II also. We haven't played it in a long time but we had a lot of fun with it. We also have Empire Builder and havent' even taken it out of the box yet. (it was a gift) Maybe when all this construction is finished we will give it a try. DZ

[crazyd37]

Our layout is on CAD right now too. At least the room and kind of where the benchwork will be is. I heard that the RR CAD program is a pain in the butt to use so I opted not to buy it. (from a CAD user!) |-----------| |-------------| | |_____door_| | | | | 8' 11' | | | |____________________________________| < 23'7" > If the above worked, it is our train room dimensions

[crazyd37]

Ever wish you could delete something yourself from this site!!! Ignore the above posting, what a waste of time!!! DZ

[crazyd37]

I'll stick with CAD!!! Sorry all! Dot

[ginzokid]

Dot, Draw the layout, print it out, scan it or take a digital picture of it, and post it in your album. This forum can barely handle words. You expect it to draw figures too! Which RR CAD program did you buy? The Atlas or the CADRail? I have CADRail loaded, but have never figured it out successfully. I just use my architectural CAD program to design the layout. The Atlas is almost too simple and does not give you much leaway for shapes of curves etc. I'll stick with straight CAD too. The Old Draftsman B-)

[flaretired]

I have downloaded 2 photo's of what my layout was supposed to look like. One is top view and the other is the 3D view. Look in Flaretired album. I still have not learned how to use the whole program. Chuck 🙂

[jamajack]

Chuck, Your pics are up Jack

[ginzokid]

Looks cool Chuck. I assume that is the 3RD Planit system. What about topography? B-)

[flaretired]

Thank you Jack for the fast post. Pete that is still the part of the program I am trying to learn. Yes it is the 3rd Planet software. Since I am now actually working on my layout I haven't been using the program. I really like the program, but it very hard for me to learn. My problem is I get frustrated very easy and after several tries of trying to create an object I just shut down and have to walk away from it. I can't even draw my room that my bench work is in. I read the manual and follow the instructions, but what comes out isn't any where near what it is supposed to be. You would think that since I took four years of drafting it would be easy for me. Working in 3D is another story. Chuck 🙂