| HomeExtensionsModel Trains Simulator |
Model Trains Simulator – Starter Edition
| The Model Trains Simulator (MTS) is intended for 2D and 3D simulations of train operations on the track plan, designed in SCARM. It will show you how the model rolling stock can be operated on a real layout. You can run simulation sessions for checking your plan concept, to see how long and how many trains can be safely operated on that plan, to calculate time schedules based on trains running time or just for fun. Last but not least, you can play with your children and grandchildren in MTS and to show them the model trains in a way, suitable for the new computer generation. When the kids then see the real models, they will love them The Starter Edition (SE) of MTS is equipped with Basic Train Controller module and is bundled with a Demo Start Set library of model rolling stock. In order to register and activate MTS SE in your computer, you must open this page form 'Extensions' > 'Browse for Extensions' menu in SCARM and then download and install both packages from the links in the bottom. |
- State of the art simulation engine with unlimited number of simultaneously running trains*
- Model trains simulation in 2D and 3D viewing modes
- Precise designed virtual rolling stock with dimensions and capabilities of the real prototypes
- Detailed and realistic textured 3D locomotives and cars in real color schemes
- Simple and easy to use trains formation editor
- Powerful virtual train controller with DCC-like emulation
- Plenty of options for setup of the realism, the layout, the models, the controller and many other settings of the simulation
* The number of locomotives and cars in a session and the quality of the simulation depends on the MTS edition, available rolling stock libraries and the capabilities (CPU, RAM, Video) of your PC.
Play Free 3d Train Simulator Games Online
Train Simulator Open Rails Linking the rich agricultural fields of the Central Valley to the searing heat of the High desert, Tehachapi Pass has some of the tightest curves and steepest grades found anywhere in the US, plus it contains a unique feature - the famous Tehachapi Loop. Play Fullscreen Train Simulator is a cool railway locomotive driving game that simulates the work of a train driver and of course you can play this game online and for free on Silvergames.com. Working as a train operator in 2017 is not as easy as it seems. You can experience it yourself with this incredible and free 3D train driving simulator.
- Allows running of 1 locomotive and up to 10 cars per simulation session
- Flexible throttle control (with screen slider, mouse wheel or from the keyboard)
- Digital or analogue combo display showing the real or scaled train speed
- Session timer for count the overall simulation playing time
- Various options for controlling of the simulation behaviour
If you want more trains and more control options, check the more powerful Model Trains Simulator – Power Edition.
- V100 of DR – 4-axle diesel locomotive (1 pcs.)
- Baage of DR – 2-axle passenger coach (5 pcs.)
- Gbs of DR – 2-axle covered freight car (5 pcs.)
| V100 of DR, Ep. III-IV, East Germany |
| 4-axle diesel locomotive (1 pcs.) Vmax = 100 km/h |
3d Train Simulator Free Download
| Baage of DR, Ep. III-IV, East Germany |
| 2-axle passenger car (5 pcs.) |
| Gbs of DR, Ep. III-IV, East Germany |
| 2-axle boxcar (5 pcs.) |
More libraries with locomotives and wagons for more complex simulations can be found in the Virtual Rolling Stock database, however, they are intended to be used along with the Power Edition of MTS.
In order to install the MTS SE in SCARM, you must navigate to this page through 'Extensions' > 'Browse for Extensions' menu command within the program and then you will be able to download the following 2 components:
Basic Train Controller(with power for 1 locomotive and 10 cars per session)Demo Start Set(1 diesel engine, 5 pasenger cars, 5 freight cars)
Click on each of the links above and open the files either right now in the browser or with double click after saving them on your PC. Restart SCARM after installing of the files in order to use the MTS SE in the program. Read more details about how to obtain, install and start MTS SE in the MTS Online Help.
Note The traffic light icons above must show 'green' for correct downloading, otherwise the links will not work. If you have troubles when downloading/installing MTS SE components, follow the instructions in the Installation and startup chapter of the MTS Online Help.
Free Train Simulator Games
See also
Model Trains Simulator – Power Edition
Program & Features
Help & Resources
Info & Feedback
Support SCARM
All mentioned brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
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
• 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 is the Track Planning Software available for download to your Windows PC (No Mac version) from the atlasrr.com website 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.
Train Simulator Free Online Game
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
Train Simulator 3d Games
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.
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.
Contact Me | Blog | Photos | References | Supplies | GiftShop | Sitemap | Search | Comment
3d Overview of Cadrail-built layout with photo backdrop
√
Contact Me | Blog | Photos | References | Supplies | GiftShop | Sitemap | Search | Comment | Privacy Statement | Disclosures