1. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome to TrainBoard!
     
  2. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Yes I certainly did Kevin. As I have always said, Never let reality hold you back! :D I am trying to master the dark art of layout design atm. Seems like I am having to recall all that trig I vowed to forget 40 years ago. Having fun with arcs and angles!!! Well fun may not be the word for it. The other thing I am battling is coupler types. In my childhood I had to choice of one type... while limiting I knew whatever I bought would couple without issue... I bought a host of cars and find most won't play with each other... Learning a lot :)
     
  3. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks BoxcabE50
     
  4. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    I found a great program online for layout design. Xtracad. It's free and easy to use.
     
  5. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    I have AnyRail. It is easy to use but I was hoping for something that can do the math and work out what track is needed. I keep finding myself a 1/4 inch short of a full loop. I am guessing that over time it will become second nature to know which radius and length you need to make the curve you desire. Of course flex track solves a bunch of issues but then you can create un-prototypical bends with it too.
     
  6. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Xtrakcad will give you a parts list when completed.
     
  7. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Cool. XTrkCad doesn't work on my PC. I have Windows 10 64bit and it seems XTrkCad is tested with Windows 7 32bit...
     
  8. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, I have vista still. I would think that it won't be too long before a software upgrade will be done to the xtrakcad program.
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Is XtrkCad still being updated? Or did that stop a while back?
     
  10. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Don't know since I haven't needed to have it updated.
     
  11. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Last release listed is November last year.
     
    Kevin Anderson likes this.
  12. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    I will need to see if I need an update
     
  13. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    As an average skilled Z-scaler I don't find this scale that tricky. Basically, anything you can do in any scale, you can do in Z.

    In my opinion, the only issue with Z is the lack of simple turnout such as what is available for HO or N with manufacturers like Atlas or Shinohara: power routing, no plastic roadbed, no ugly side mechanism. As this type of product is not available (yet, I hope), I build my own turnouts using Fast-Tracks gigs and tools. Otherwise Z is easy to work with, and every day there's more choice with locomotives, rolling stock and any kind of supply.

    Welcome back to model railroading.;)

    Dom
     
  14. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Dom. I look forward to working in Z

    Russ
     
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  15. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Congratulations, Russ. ;) ;)

    Dom
     
  16. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Russ, I believe Windows 10 has the ability to emulate Windows 8 and 7 for those programs that have not been upgraded. I've located a few sites that offer insight. Please understand that I neither have experience with any of these sites, nor do I endorse them. I merely am providing areas to start researching.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/make-older-programs-run#1TC=windows-7

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/older-programs-compatible-version-windows

    http://www.howtogeek.com/228689/how-to-make-old-programs-work-on-windows-10/
     
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  17. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the tip Hytec. On reading the developer site, it appears the software's installer has a known issue and fails when it can't find a directory on the PC. This was supposedly corrected and I will investigate further. Thanks again.
     
  18. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Hytec, you were spot on with your suggestion. I changed the installer to run in Windows 7 compatibility mode and also in administrator mode and the installer worked fine. Thanks for the nudge (y)
     
  19. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    Please don't let that stop you. Layouts can be designed to be modular and relatively easy to move. Apartment layouts are a grand American tradition. Figure out how to connect them so they stay put until moving day, and wire them through multiconnectors (which can be purchased at various electronic supply houses, or even auto parts stores).

    The Katy is an excellent choice for many reasons--relatively common USRA steam, appealing paint jobs, modest fixed wheelbases on steamers for better performance on sharper curves, trains of modest length--and very well suited for smaller layouts. So pack your excuses away and get to work!
     
  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I certainly agree. Think modular. Perhaps adapt the T-Trak concept for bases. Those can be easily stored and transported. I recently a very interesting adaptation of "banana" type electrical plugs, for use on small modules. I am looking very seriously at trying the idea. Done by a very talented German fellow who models in HOn30, it can be seen on YouTube.
     

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