These setups usually have problems due to the lack of a drawn out plan.
For a small investment of cash, you can acquire model railroad software for your computer that will be a great aid in your layout scheme.
You may have some experience with computer assisted drafting programs.
If so, it will be a cinch for you to fall right into designing you train layout.
There are several programs that can cost $200 or more, but you might save that just by not making costly errors when you put your system together.
Software is typically 3-D, in that it can give you an in-depth perception of how a layout might look.
You can backup and redesign repeatedly until you have what you want.
After that, just print out the pattern and get to work with your layout assembly.
One of the most exciting innovations in recent years is the integration of computer technology with model train controls.
Model trains have computer chips to control motor functions as well as sounds and lights.
The locomotives are controlled by computers that use software designed under Windows operating systems.
All train operations can be controlled by the computer, which is attached to the hardware interface, or command station.
The interface may be a USB cable or serial RS232 cable.
Model train software is designed to operate through a standard software interface.
It is possible to network trains and controls for one computer to control operations for several trains.
Microsoft.
NET Tools produce the most popular model train software interface.
It is compatible with the XNS gaming interface.
This interface allows a computer to use different command stations' hardware interfaces to control the trains.
All recent model trains have a computer chip which uses a DCC (Digital Command Control) protocol.
This means that a computer can program any DCC model train no matter what scale the train might be.
With a bit of experience with the software you choose, you can control the whistle as your train nears a crossing, and the lights at the crossing location.
You can slow the train and then speed it up again at certain places on the track.
With the proper control, you can change turn out or switching, too.
Basically, you can control anything that the locomotive's computer chip was designed for and more.
The days of doing everything by hand are almost gone.
The use of DCC and a computer are changing the way we use our model trains.
Instead of being the exception, model railroad software will soon be the normal way most systems are run.