Need software

http://www.rrtrack.com/index.html

I love this software. From table setup, to wiring layers, to it's intuitiveness, to the latest version lets you run 1 simutated train.

Do you know if rr-track let you fill in straight runs with a single long "track" to simulate flextrack or does it make you use standard length straight sections? I see it has a "custom" track for MTH ScaleTrax in the library, but I'm not sure exactly what that means. I might be inclined to buy it if I don't have to deal with fitting a bunch of small track to fill a section. Also, is there any kind if automatic feature where it simply fills in a straight section between 2 curves/turnouts. I see it now lets you run a simulated train ala XTrackCAD.

Yes -- RR-Track has a wizard function that lets you measure a gap in trackwork and it will then calculate the length to custom cut from your library of standard track. You will see it complete the gap in the layout view, and it will also output the measurement you need to cut.

Thanks, Eric.

I should add that the track wizard should work with "regular" track just fine -- but not Lionel FasTrack. Don't quote me, but I believe this feature may not work on any molded-roadbed track library, essentially because the track was designed to be strictly dimensional with no cutting options.

That would make some sense.

Just played with the software a bit. I use it for N and O. If the brand of track has flex pieces, it seems there is a wizard ie scaletrax, or atlas c55. If the brand does not have flextrak ieKato, or realtrax, no wizard. it does have tables from the shortest track to about 20 inches for mixing and matching in gaps. Also you can measure a gap easily, with a few keystrokes. It is missing some things. Your autofill would be nice, but I'd also like to be able to save custom objects ie: buildings, transformers, Christmas tree bases, custom obstruction dimensions (my wife insists there be furniture in the livingroom at Christmas. It's not perfect, but it is very good.

I use the free version of AnyRail, good for up to 50 pieces of track - enough to try it out to see if you want to buy the complete version. I found it easy to learn with convenient features. You can stretch out long "filler" pieces to fill gaps, straight or custom curved. I do mostly small layouts so the free version is enough for me.

Another cheap option:

Get someone on the MTH railroad club to send you a copy of the RRTrack they get. It's only got Realtrax library but it will let you draft out any size or complexity designs and you can modify from there.