Model Railroading Track Planning Software Mac
- Free Model Railroad Track Planning Software Mac
- Model Railroading Videos
- Model Railroad Software Free
- Model Railroading Layouts
- RR-Track v5 is the answer for all your toy or model train layout design headaches. No more templates to struggle with, no messy erasing and scribbling, no emergency table extensions propped on sawhorses, no last second hacking of the Xmas tree, just pop up the menus off this fully graphical software in the gauge of your choice and plan away.
- Dec 29, 2012 I want to get a track planning software to help design my new layout. I dont really want to buy a software because I'd use it so little so I was wondering what you guys think is the best free software? Also i'd like to use Atlas O track.Thanks.
DecoderPro®
If you are looking for examples and projects designed in SCARM software, go to the special Layouts & Track Plans website and search by scale, size, track system and more. SCARM Model Train Layouts & Track Plans. Join us on the social sites, share your comments and stay up-to-date with all news and events, related to SCARM software.
PanelPro™
DispatcherPro
OperationsPro™
SoundPro
Cool Uses
Our Gallery page highlights some of these.
Also, there are many apps with JMRI connections.
Tools
- Common Tools:
- Blocks:
- Routing and Control:
- Other:
Layout Automation
Supported hardware
JMRI Setup and Installation
JMRI Help:
Contents/ Index
Glossary
The JMRI project is building tools for model railroad computer control. We want it to be usable to as many people as possible, so we're building it in Java to run anywhere, and we're trying to make it independent of specific hardware systems.
JMRI is intended as a jumping-off point for hobbyists who want to control their layouts with a computer without having to create an entire system from scratch. Lab fit curve fitting software.
You can manage your locomotive rosters and easily program your decoders using DecoderPro®. You can build control panels and control your layout using PanelPro™ to set up signaling. OperationsPro™ lets you create manifests that route cars across your railroad from shipper to receiver, and provide train crews with operating instructions.
Going beyond the basics, you can use Logix to automate your layout's behavior, interface with X10 and Insteon systems to control your layout room's lights and write scripts to extend the capabilities of the system.
As an open source project, JMRI is evolving in many directions at once. You can get involved at many levels:
- Learn about JMRI (check out the online help, DecoderPro manual, FAQs and Clinics)
- Kick the tires (download JMRI, install it on Windows, Mac OS X or Linux, connect it to your layout)
- Share your experiences with others (join or browse the JMRI Users Groups.io Group)
- Help extend and develop it (look under the hood, get the source code, join or browse the JMRI-Developers mailing list)
- Or make a small donation to help defray the costs of keeping this going.
Whatever it is that you choose to do with JMRI, and however you get involved, welcome to our community!
| Released on July 8, 2020. JMRI 4.20 is recommended for new users. It's the most recent stable production release. For more information, please read the JMRI 4.20 Release Note, which also contains the download links. JMRI 3.10.1 Production ReleaseReleased on January 11, 2015.JMRI 3.10.1 is recommended for JMRI users with computers that can only run Java 1.6; later releases require Java 1.8. For more information, please read the JMRI 3.10.1 Release Note, which also contains the download links. JMRI 2.14.1 Production ReleaseReleased on July 15, 2012.JMRI 2.14.1 is recommended for JMRI users with computers that can only run Java 1.5; later releases require Java 1.6/1.8. For more information, please read the JMRI 2.14.1 Release Note, which also contains the download links. |
Check Out the 'JMRI Clinics' page
Several users have contributed their clinics for our Clinics page. There are both conventional handout and slides clinics, and also some neat interactive clinics for DecoderPro® and PanelPro™. Some JMRI clinics from past NMRA national and other conventions are also included.
Additional Applications with JMRI Connections
- Hobbyists have created applications that work with JMRI to provide extra capabilities. In addition, some commercial vendors have created applications that work with, add data to, or take data from JMRI. See the community/connections directory for a list and links. New applications can be added at any time!
Use Your Smart Phone As a Throttle!
You can now use your iPhone, iPod Touch or Android cell phone as a throttle with JMRI.After you download and install a program onto your phone, you can connect it wirelessly to your computer running JMRI, which in turn will run your layout. Imagine friends visiting your layout and running trains from their cellphones, without having to bring throttles.
Free Model Railroad Track Planning Software Mac
For more information, please see the feature page.
Control Your Locos From a Web Browser - computer, smartphone or tablet
- Now, you can control your layout directly from your computer, smartphone or tablet, without the need to download and install any application. The current web browsers running on these devices are able to manage the resources and features needed to replace physical throttles. Just start the JMRI Web Server on your JMRI computer, open http://<your JMRI server>/web/webThrottle.html and enjoy it. For more information, please visit the webThrottle - Web control for locos, panels, turnouts and routes page.
JMRI on a Raspberry Pi!
- The Raspberry Pi is becoming increasingly popular as a small and cheap computer. JMRI will operate under the Raspbian operating system (Debian version of Linux). See here for installation instructions.
Help Pages Online
- The JMRI applications have a built-in help system. It has lots of information, including overviews and window-specific information. The pages are simple HTML, and users are encouraged to add missing information. The Help information is available online via either the Index or Table of Contents.
Decoder ID pages
A 'Decoder ID' page has been added to the web. Automagically created from the current DecoderPro definitions, it provides easy access to all sorts of information about decoders.Contribute more information to our decoder definitions, and help these pages become even more useful!
KAM Dispute Ends!
JMRI is an informal open-source software group. We do this for the joy of model railroading, and don't produce anything for profit.One of our members has spent the past four years in the Federal Courts defending our right to continue against an individual who has attacked us with bogus patent threats, cybersquatting, copyright infringement and other illegal acts.
We are extremely pleased to announce that this case has now been settled. The agreement ends the dispute, and gives everybody involved a way to move forward. This is a victory for JMRI and open-source software in general.
JMRI wins Duke's Choice award from Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems (now part of Oracle) has awarded JMRI a 2006 Duke's Choice award. Also called a 'Dukie', this award is given annually to 'some of the most clever, practical, and inspirational Java technology applications on the planet'. The award was presented at the annual JavaOne conference on May 14th by James Gosling.JMRI won for its community, its use of Java technology to empower people all over the world to contribute, and for the impact it's had.
Multiple commercial brands of model railroad software are available and can be used in helping to plan your layout. These are basically of 6 types:
• Model Railroad Track Planning Software
• Model Railroad Operation Software
• Computer Integration and Control
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• Model Railroad Inventory/ Collectors Software
• Computer Simulation Programs
• Programs to Create Designs, Signs, Decals, Brick Walls, etc.
Which type of model railroad software you choose may depend on how much you like to spend time on your computer and what your ultimate goals are. There is a certain fascination in developing your plans on the computer and being very organized in your track planning even to the point of knowing exactly what materials you will need and how much they will cost. Many of these model railroad software programs will allow you to run virtual trains on your computerized layout so you can get an idea of how your railroad will operate when you actually build it.
Perhaps you don’t have the time or space to actually start building a model railroad yet. Using the planning software can provide you with the fun of at least developing your basic plan and design until you have the capability of going ahead with physically building the layout.
Some of the model railroad software is relatively simple and fairly easy to use after a few hours. Other programs are very powerful, but complicated, with high learning curves; but once you master them, you could have a fantastic virtual railroad on your computer that has very detailed graphics and may be a lot of fun to build and operate without ever having to lay your hands on a section of model track.
Model Railroad Track Planning Software
One of the easier model railroad software programs to master that doesn’t cost much (It’s free), is the Track Planning Software available for download from the atlasrr.com website as freeware and works fairly well for simple layout designs.
Another program reported to be very easy to use with a short learning curve is Anyrail (http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html). It requires Windows Vista, XP or 2000.
XTrkCAD is a free program available for download for Windows, Mac or Linux. (http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage)
Railmodeller (http://www.railmodeller.com/) is an excellent program for the Mac that I found relatively easy to use within just a few hours. The track plans drawn on the track planning page of this web site were all created using this software.
SCARM(Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller) is definitely worth a look. A lot of work has gone into this layout design software to make it user friendly. It's only for Windows though. No Mac version available (yet).
RR Track for Windows is an excellent program for sectional track users and is easy to use. You can view the layout as a track plan or just the terrain or both together. It has 3D views as well.
Cadrail (http://cadrail.com/) is a more complicated program with lots of bells and whistles and may be more familiar to those who have had some training in computer assisted design. A companion program containing information about the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad can be purchased on their website as well.
Other notable model train software programs include 3rD Plan-It by Eldorado (http://www.trackplanning.com/), and 3D Railroad: Concept and Design √ by Abracadata. Another one worth mentioning is called Train Player (http://www.trainplayer.com/) within which you can obtain over 100 predesigned track plans that you could use or modify for your own railroad.
Wintrack is another great program for PCs developed in Europe. One of the best things about this software is the remarkable 3D image that you can generate after you have completed your track-plan.
For those who wish to build their own tracks and turnouts, Templot is the way to go. This computer program can generate infinite types of templates to use for constructing tracks, turnouts, crossovers, slips or just sections of track to fit in between others, etc. in any gauge, for any period or prototype, for any radius. You can link them together on screen to create your entire layout track-plan; and use them on your workbench to create the tracks you need to complete your layout. This one is for PC users - No Mac version available.
So what is the 'best' track-planning software?
Tough question. Some of the programs have steep learning curves, so you end up spending all your railroad-building time on learning the software. Some are free which is good for simple layouts. The more expensive ones do a better job with elevations, 3D views and more choices from their libraries of tracks and structures. Your choice may depend on what operating system you have in your computer - Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. Overall, you have to decide on which features are most important to you. Here is a link to Model Railroader's forum with several opinions on the subject..
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/228700.aspx
Operation Software / Hardware for Model Railroads
Easy Model Railroad Inventory by RCL Software (Freeware) is much more than an inventory program. The operations portion of the software is the most useful part of it and is one of the best programs out there for setting up operating sessions. The only problem is that it is no longer supported by it's developer, and it's hard to find.
Layout Command Controlis an enhancement to DCC layouts using circuit-boards and software to improve speed and reliability, and makes operation of multiple locomotives and devices easier. The platform is standardized by the NMRA so that the products made by different manufacturers are interchangeable.
Traxx ID √- Model Railroad inventory/Operations Management Platform. Now you can not only know what your railcar inventory is, but you can know exactly where they are on your layout.
TrainTraxx.com - The Operations simulation software that can be used in conjunction with the Traxx ID hardware to create a complete inventory system so that you always know where your railcars are on the layout due to tags placed on the bottom of each car and detector devices placed under tracks in the classification yards. It can also integrate with JMRI so you know where your trains are and you can operate them with the software. Watch the videos on the their website so you can see how it works.
RailPro by Ring Engineering is one of the easier systems out there to help with model railroad operations. This uses color touchscreens and Direct Radio Technology and essentially replaces DCC systems. It is supposedly much easier to set up and manage than DCC, although it hasn't really caught on in popularity. Here is a video review..
DCS (Digital Command System) by MTH is another viable option for MTH trains, Lionel or any other AC-operated locomotives running on HO, O, S or G scale track, with or without wires. You can operate your entire layout wirelessly from your smartphone - even program up to 90 minutes of automatic train operation. Start up costs are very reasonable and setup is reported to be 'easy'.
√Computer Control
JMRIis a program that allows you to connect your DCC system to your computer. It requires separate purchase of an interface module like a Digitrax PR4 if you're using Loconet for connections, or NCE-223 if you're using the NCE system. After it is set up, you can see your entire layout on the computer screen and operate all power blocks and turnouts just by clicking on them. Can be used on both PC and Mac.
CTI-Electronics (Train Brain) - the first fully integrated computerized model railroad control system. For PC only. See the other page on this site showing how this CTI Train Brain worked on Bob Fahrney's computerized layout.
ITrain √- Easy to use computer control with client server technology to allow extra computers to be used as extra overviews or as controllers for different parts of the layout.
Model Railroad Inventory / Collectors Software
Model Railroad Collector √- highly rated inventory/ value pricing program for Windows
Model Railroad Inventory Database √- Purely an inventory program
Train Simulator Software Programs
Trainz √ by Auran (http://www.auran.com/trainz/) has lots of detail and lots of graphics that you can use for either simulated railroad operations, (including learning how to drive trains around on a virtual railroad), or for layout planning to the nth degree. This simulator is now available for PC and Mac. There is even a version for iPad!
Microsoft Train Simulator√ - another simulator program with lots of bells and whistles. Multiple add-ons are available for running many types of trains through different locales and scenery.
Running a Steam Locomotive√ gets rave reviews for learning how steam engines work and how to operate some of the most popular and classic locomotives ever made.
Model Railroading Videos
Computer Requirements for Model Railroad Software
Most of these programs have demo versions that you can download and practice with before you buy. I would highly recommend doing this. You may find out that pencil and paper are more to your liking albeit less technologically advanced.
If you decide to purchase one of these high-end programs like Trainz Simulator, Engineers Edition Deluxe, be sure your computer has the strength for it. (Make sure you look at the system requirements for the particular program you wish to purchase and be sure your computer has all of those requirements and preferably more.) Also note that some are available only for PC’s and not for Mac’s. I know Railmodeler and Trainz are available for the Mac. 3D Railroad Concept and Design is only available for PC and the Classic version of Mac OX-10, not for Leopard. All of them have PC versions. Cadrail is PC only.
Keep in mind that many of the above-mentioned programs that are for 'PC only' can be installed and used on a Mac computer if you use Winebottler, Crossover, Bootcamp or Parallels to run Windows within the Mac. Similarly, they can often be run on Linux if you have Wine or Crossover installed. Check the specific requirements for each program before you buy it.
Model Train Graphics
This is another type of model railroad software that you will almost certainly find useful for your train layout not so much for planning purposes, but more for creation of signs, decals, old classic advertisements for your buildings or billboards, simulation of brick or stone walls, stained glass, window treatments, wallpaper, etc. Most of these are produced by Evans Designs.
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3d Overview of Cadrail-built layout with photo backdrop
Model Railroad Software Free
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