Written by barnholt.net
Whatʹs Great
1. RailModeller Express is a free application for creating small model railroad layouts.
Latest Version: 6.4.17
What does RailModeller Express do? RailModeller Express is a free application for creating small model railroad layouts. Its key features include: • A clean and intuitive user interface, • Sophisticated tools to quickly build awesome model train layouts with up to 50 elements, • More than 270 multi-brand libraries with 6500+ tracks and accessories (localized in English & German), • Support for all common and many custom model scales, • Assistants for placing tracks at different heights and creating grades, • Definition of baseboards indicating the available area for a model railway layout, • Customizable modes for viewing the layout in two and three dimensions, • Automatically generated shopping lists, • A price database automatically syncing item prices across layouts, • Community Layouts with hundreds of track plans created by a community of fellow model railroaders, • A file format 100% compatible with our "RailModeller Pro" app
Download for MacOS - server 1 --> $0.99Download and Install RailModeller Express
Download for PC - server 1 -->Intel, 64-bit processor, OS X 10.7 or later.
Compactible OS list:Yes. The app is 100 percent (100%) safe to download and Install. Our download links are from safe sources and are frequently virus scanned to protect you
Challenging But Works
Colleague gave me some pointers and I got basic elements of the program to work! Hooray. Thre is a sharp learning curve, and undoubtedly the program has many "features" that I'll never use because I will never figure out how to use them. But for basic track layout planning it can be a useful tool. I would not rely on the product for final installation of the planned layout (you will definitely need to fit and adjust) as there are too many uncertainties in the track layout plan produced by the program -- it suggests a degree of precision that I don't beleive is warranted -- but using this program did show me that PECO #6 turnouts would not work and that I needed to use #5 turnouts. (I will still test fit both.) That alone was informative. A user guide would be helpful.
Great for Slot Car Layouts!
This is a great app for designing slot car layouts! I’ve used it for both 1/64th (AFX/Tyco “HO”) and 1/32 Scalextric track. Just fantastic! I had been doing layouts in Adobe Illustrator, creating my own library of track components. But this app is SO much better. Providing parts lists, track lengths, overall layout dimensions, etc. Easy and intuitive interface. Only 3 minor suggestions for improving the Slot Car side of things: 1) Make sure to add in all the Scalextric track options (starter sets include 2 long straights - power and mechanical lap counters - not included in the library). 2) Calculate lane lengths separately (Left and Right lanes) 3) Allow and calculate for 4 & 6 lane layouts. Thanks for a truly great app. I’m planning on upgrading to the Pro version soon!
Fine functions for freeware
I’ve spent a couple of days getting to know this software as I plot a new layout, my first in many years. It’s remarkably glitch-free and highly functional — all possible stars for that. The tutorials and documentation are very limited, as far as I can tell, so getting acquainted with the program’s basic functions is trial-and-error. That’s the only problem I’ve encountered, and it IS possible to figure things out as you go. Compared to other CAD I’ve used (non-model railroad), it’s not a steep learning curve. And it’s a very good teaser for the Pro version.
Not Very Helpful
The express edition is not very helpful for someone trying to use this type of software for the first time. I would have expected a list of things in numerical order giving you tips on where to start, how to size the canvas, how to add thins to the canvas, etc. Just basic instructions on where to start and what to expect. Also, when I tried doing something, I kept geting a message this feature is not available and to try the Pro edition. I downloaded the free version to see if this is something I would want to pursue in track planning. Seems to me it’s more of a come on to buy the Pro edition. Sorry, but I will not do that unless the free version is more user friendly and I don’t see that happenning.
Wow!
Trying this free version and it is already excellent. I will be going for the pro version shortly!. Very well done. Loved the ability to add colors to define sections of a layout. I LOVE the Smart Insert buttons, especially the joining with the Flex Track features! The snap to join works well, too. I have so much more to learn about this software.