Monthly Archives: January 2009

Modular / Sectional Specs

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I’ve probably noted in the past that I’ll be using a couple of existing modules as a part of my new layout (once the basement is rebuilt). Those modules are built based on the Mid-Atlantic On30 Modules Spec, which I helped to develop.

This specification was developed over a two-year period and went through I-don’t-know-how-many iterations and variations, variously referred to as OCMods, OCUM and a probably a few others. Of the standard sets that came out of those often heated discussions, the Mid-Atlantic group specification has been adopted as the baseline standard for more On30 modular groups around the country than any other standard set. Continue reading →

Right Under My Nose!

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JMRI

I most recently mentioned that I was looking for software for model railroad operations. Well, it turns out that a good, free program was right under my nose all along! JMRI is well known for the excellent Decoder Pro application for programming DCC decoders. But, it’s also a suite of Java applications for model railroads. In addition to the DCC decoder programmer, there are control panel design and DCC interfacing; a dispatching system; maintenance scheduling; and a fully functioning car forwarding system that really works and keeps good track of where all the cars are at each op session.

Railroad Design on a Mac

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railmodeller

Railmodeller running on my MacBook

I have recently switched to a Mac for most of my day-to-day computing, and so have been looking for MacOS-X software for model railroading. Specifically, I’ve been scoping out layout design software and software for car forwarding. While I haven’t yet found anything of interest for operations, I have come across a really nice piece of design software.

RailModeller is a shareware CAD program for designing model railroad and slot car layouts. For those into On30, it’s particularly interesting because it knows the Peco track geometry out-of-the-[virtual]-box. Of course, being shareware, certain important features — like saving and printing — are disabled unless I actually buy the software…

empireexpress

Empire Express

Similarly interesting is Empire Express. It’s a bit more “American” in its operational philosophy. And, while it doesn’t have preset templates for the Peco On30 track, it does have templates for Peco’s HO track, which shares a common geometry. As shareware, it has the same limitations as Railmodeller.

Railmodeller is available for download and sale at http://www.railmodeller.de, and Empire Express can be obtained from Haddon Software at http://www.haddonsoftware.com/.

A New 4-4-0 I Actually Like!

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New Bachmann Modern Outside-frame 4-4-0

As some of you may know, I’ve never been terribly find of the “American” 4-4-0. However, Bachmann have released this new model, a “modern” outside-frame version that has a great, funky, low-slung look to it that I actually find really appealing.

I just may have to have one of these things, if I ever have any money again…