Scale Model Railroading

3-D model railroad CAD programs like 3rd PlanIt, and CADRail can make track and layout planning much easier.  They allow you to visualize the look of your layout before ever sawing a board or laying down track.  However, there is another solution out there now that can provide similar 3-D CAD capability for your planning process.  Google’s Sketch Up tool provides CAD capability and the ability to make animated walkthroughs of your virtual layout.  Best of all, it’s free!  The Blissfield Model Railroad Club has used Sketch Up to model their layout, which is under development.  They have posted photos and videos of their layout on their blog.

Feel free to share your views and opinions of the available CAD software out there for the model railroad hobby.  Expect to see a review of many of the available software packages here within the next few months.

Check out ogaugewatch.com. It’s a great resource for O gauge news, new products, and more.

Found this site while browsing today: Union Pacific Model Railroad – An N-Scale model railroad. Started in February, it is outlining the whole planning including layouts, track planning, and more.