Dean’s been in touch with a missive on the program he uses for a model train simulator:
“Al, greetings from Dean in New Mexico.
I’ve been spending a bit of time on the computer program, SCARM (“Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller”), which you may remember I’m using to design my layouts.
They have a free version which has all the capabilities of the paid version except it’s limited to 100 items (track sections, cars, buildings). I soon outgrew the free version and bought the paid ($45).
Recently, I’ve gone back to test out an extension for this program, “Model Train Simulator”, which allows you to set up trains, run, them, operate switches, etc. It is very powerful and a good way to check out your layout designs or just play with your trains.
Below is a SCARM drawing for my double layout which I’ve talked about. It combines the two smaller layouts that are mostly built. I’m working on this larger layout now and will keep you posted.
One of the very powerful features of this SCARM program is the ability to see your layout in 3D. You can easily move it around with your mouse.
The program extension “Model Train Simulator” (free or $29 for the full version) that allows you to set up and run a train or trains on your layout. With the free version you can download a limited number of cars and locos, but that’s not the case with the paid. They have many cars and locos you can download, most from England and Germany. See the photo below for examples.
I downloaded several cars and a loco from the list which is shown here. Most are “no name”.
So, here’s an example: I placed three boxcars, three gondolas, a caboose and loco to play with for switching exercises.
It’s difficult to show results with just photos, but here are several photos of how the 3-D rendering looks:
You can see the train running around with switching and uncoupling on my video here:
One thing that I realized is that a part of my layout (shown in the photo below in red) looks like an Inglenook puzzle. All I have to do is limit the size of the four sidings, and I can run the puzzle, either in the software (easy) or on the actual layout (more difficult).
Cheers, Al, for keeping this website going
Dean”
A big thanks to Dean for sharing his model train simulator video.
You can see Dean’s last post here: Woodlands Scenics scenic ridge.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if you feel like you’re missing out on the fun, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.
Dean, I think you have a very versatile layout design. If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to use it also. I also am using SCARM computer program but using Kato Unitrack. I can’t quite read all the rulers on the top and side of your photos, so could you give us the dimensions of each side? I will probably have to enlarge it in order to use the Kato track. Thank you very much for showing us a great track plan.
Don R – Florida
Nice work Dean. I still think you could engineer a reversing capability ( or double reversing) with at least a turntable on one layout and a reversing segment (or two) where the two layouts join. There’s a natural reversing area in this joining section which may have to be made a little longer to accommodate both reversing segments. Hard to explain without visuals but it is definitely doable and complicated! Cheers!
nice design. keep going and let us see more.
Extending the red track into the blue track would add a lot of versatility for two turnouts. Reversing with DCC is easy, DC is a bit more involved but worth it.
I used a similar layout design software called Anyrail . It has a selection of track to use, including Kato, which is the track I use. Another software called TrainPlayer will run trains on the layout designed in Anyrail.