Rail Modeller

[Tripp Powell]

Additionallibraries include scalable accessories like buildings, signals, trees & plants, electrical components, and symbols for all scales. Our app also includes a comprehensive collection of slot car systems as well as components for many digital systems (DCC).

RailModeller Pro allows you to create complex model railroad layouts in three dimensions. Create grades up to a specified target point or simply by setting the start and end height for a specific track section, shift track sections up or down and use the layer defaults feature for automatically assigning default track heights to new tracks in a layer.

A part list is automatically maintained for every layout providing an overview of the tracks used and the overall costs. Element prices are editable in the part list and RailModeller Pro will maintain a price database making sure costs of elements once entered are applied across all your layouts.

An inventory of tracks can be maintained to display the number of tracks remaining in stock when working on a specific layout or to filter the Parts list to show only tracks that need to be purchased to build the layout.

Baseboards indicate the general shape of the layout to be built - without getting in the way with your planning or even covering the grid. The baseboard assistant gets you started with commonly used layout shapes like L- or U-shapes and rectangles:

Browse layouts created and shared by users of the app and share your own layouts allowing the user community to enjoy and discuss your design. You can 'like' layouts you find particularly nice and help other users of the app to discover great layouts.

Trying to design my new layout in Railmodeller Pro 4 Mac, and just can't seem to get it. Thought this would be the easy way, ugh, no. I'm just not computer savvy enough, seems to have been a waste of $ for me. Any experts want to please help a newbie out? Graciously appreciated! I can send you a pic of what I drew on graph paper.

For O gauge, all 072 so I can run most anything. Measurements in feet. Far right side is meant to be "curvy" for a "snake" appearance as it meanders the wall. The line to the left of that is just an in/out siding. The left vertical main line is just basically the return. I really think this is what I'm going with, unless I'm just crazy and missing something. I'm thinking Gargraves with Ross switches? Thoughts from the pros, and anyone with the Railmodeller Pro expertise! Thanks Guys!!!

Second, while I know nothing about how Rail Modeller Pro works, there is a free program found on-line called XtrackCAD which has a version for Macs. You might want to download and try it out, but, not being a Mac user, I honestly don't know if it's better or worse than the one program you bought.

Third, I've seen, and played with, free trial versions of several of the Windows-based track planning programs. None of them would be rated as particularly easy to use. In almost all cases, you are dealing with a CAD program pre-populated with track pieces trying to replicate specific manufacturers which you are then trying to assemble in a particular location and direction. NOT EASY! And the biggest hurdle is trying to get the pieces to all join; learning how to edit your work may be the most important step.

My recommendation is to spend more time with the program you purchased, not trying to build a layout first cat out of the bag. Just place and put a few pieces together and then practice modifying location, direction, number of pieces, etc. Once comfortable, then try actually constructing your layout. On paper, it doesn't seem too complicated to do.

Oh, and one comment about your drawn plan; if any of the sides, away from the obvious aisle to the left, are against a wall, draw a plan that allows you a minimum of 2.5' reach to any piece of track. That means include hatches for reach or shrink the plan so you have at least a 2' aisle all the way around the layout.

Unfortunately there are very few track planning apps available for the MAC. I am not familiar with Railmodeller Pro 4. I have found AnyRail to be a very good and easy-to-use track planning program. However, it is Windows-only.

Already installed on your MAC is an app called "Bootcamp." It is an app that will allow you to run Windows programs on your MAC. Check it out HERE. Perhaps this might be a way to get into the Windows world, where there are several good track planning apps available.

RM Pro is a very good track planning software, I keep one Mac around just to run it! It is probably one of the easiest to use also. Maybe you can describe what issue you are having with it? I can try an throw a plan together and upload it for you when I get some time later today, your plan doesn't look that hard at first glance, hand drawn doesn't always transfer to software well though.

How far did you get with trying to use it? Do you have the shape of your layout in a "document"? With something to indicate where the no-go track areas are? I'm not an expert at it - but I would start with a document of 144x192 inches, then use something - shapes, maybe, which appear as a white - to indicate the no-track areas.

EDIT - didn't notice this at first - if I'm reading your posts correctly, you don't have room in that space for the track you specify - O72 won't fit in 6 feet at the top, for instance. If you could add another 6 inches or so to the 6 feet at the top, O72 would work.

Don't think track with that diameter will be able to make that turn to the narrow area, either, assuming you stay with O72. Well, it might, but you'd have a reverse curve, or S-curve - which could cause problems.

Going by the space limits in your drawing, this is the best I could do. Can not fit 072 in that space. Minimum curve on this plan is 042 to make it fit, with 064 on mainline. I used Ross switches and sectional track with gargraves flex for custom cut lengths. This will fit, but you are not going to get 072 with your track plan.

I have a Mac Pro that I use most everything for except when I end up running Bootcamp Windows for 3 things, games to play online with my Son, SCARM and Anyrail. I downloaded a couple for MAC OSX Modeling software but I never ended up really trying them because most folks are using the 2 fore mentioned Windows apps.

This post feels like you want somebody to do the work for you but you don't actually want to ask for that. Why not just ask? There are folks on the forum who have put together multiple designs (myself included) and/or shared their own layout plan files (myself included again) in an attempt to inspire others who are starting a new plan or help folks new to the SW get up to speed.

If, in fact, you're wanting to do the design yourself and encountering some problem with RailModeller Pro, sharing specific details about the issue you're encountering is the only path forward. You can also search around the RailModeller forum to see if the answers to your questions are there.

Mike and others. I don't think it's a software issue. I just think I can't figure out how to do it. I can't even get the baseboard thing to come out right. So lets just assume I'm techno challenged. Yes, I'm reaching out for assistance.

Darrell, thank you that is what I was trying to build, but I"m confused as to why 072 won't fit. Isn't that 6ft, so a 6ft table should just make it... I thought. I would like to stay with ALL 072 due to some of the larger engines I intend to purchase. After making the large loop in 072 for the big/new stuff, I was going to squeeze in some tighter tubular stuff in between on elevation. That part I'm not worried about, I'll just wing that with some menards tubular and have fun with it for the smaller post war Lionel I'll be running. For now, I'm only trying to get the above in 072 in Gargraves/Ross. Maybe I should ask the question, what would it take to make this work as 072? Forgive this newbie. Thx.

Here's something with Gargraves track and Ross switches. 072 minimum. Note I did use flex in various places and many of the pieces could be combined. RailModeller file attached as well - it was created with Version 6.4.2 (Build 1308).

With Mike0289's version above, one problem becomes very apparent. Because the right side is shorter than the left side, he was forced to create an S-curve to get all the required switches in line. You would be much better off if you could extend the right side to the same length as the left side and make the switch locations on the right a mirror image of those on the left. S-curve avoided and smooth operations ahead.

Thank you Mike and Darrell. PRR, I agree. Guys, basically I like Darrells version if it was 072 but with the sleeker S curve Mike created on the right side line. I would like that middle siding to be straight if possible. So, I see Mike stretched out the two curves to what looks like just under 7ft wide. I can do that, there is room.

If we make that 10 ft length at the bottom to 11, will that solve the problems? So, if it looks like Darrel's with Mike's 'S' curve -and is all 072 or greater- what is the minimum table size in this design?

Mike, I cannot see the tiny numbers on the tracks. Is your snake S curve (which I love) 072, or is that softened to 096? Which is fine by me. I'm just trying to understand. The whole point of minimum 072 is just so I can run Big Boys.

Hp289, You should be able to save the .layout file he attached, and drop it onto RailModeller. Then you can get a better look at it. Or, if you have saved it, click on Open in the File menu in RailModeller. But to answer your question, it looks like 072 - though a couple of the short pieces at the top might be wider.

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