RR Track Tutorial

Your dilemma is why I switched to AnyRail for my track planning.   I found the RRTrack interface much more cryptic than AnyRail.

Man I wish I had talked to you before spending the money for RR Track.... now I am forced to figure it out... it wasn't cheap having to buy the software, and the Atlas and Gargraves/Ross track pack addons.

Attached is the manual. You can also go to "Help" on the RRTrack menu line.

I didn't know you could still purchase RR track.  I have an old version and tried several times to get support through the website, and via email, and got no response.  So it seems someone is still there collecting $, but not interested in helping existing customers.

They haven't had any support for years, another good reason NOT to consider their product!

I hope RR-Track works for you.

Other possibilities are AnyRail (mentioned above) and SCARM.  AnyRail and SCARM are probably the two most popular model RR design packages used by members of OGR.   I use SCARM... it's 'free' up to about 50 pieces/sections of track/turnouts ...so, you can learn it without expense.   I'm not certain how many track libraries are included other than 'many' if not all of the most popular scales and manufacturers.  I do not know... but, I think AnyRail offers a very similar introductory/incentive free use option including extensive track libraries.  SCARM is $39.95... and, if needed you can get a second copy for $18.50.  I use it on two different machines... one in the downstairs office and one for the Train room upstairs.

Bruce, thank you for the manual link. I appreciate it. Also thank you guys as well for the other advice. I may just cut my losses and purchase one of the other options.

Tom,

RR-Track is a powerful track planning program.  Its documentation could be better, and lately customer support has been nonexistent.  The program first came out around 1995 and I bought my copy, upgraded several times, in 2005.  I am not sure how active the author is now, but he did provided me help back when I bought it and was always at York.  Once I had the basics I never needed to contact him again.  The web page says no telephone support, only through email.

I would hate to see you throw away a very good program but if you do not have the time to learn it by reading the help files, manual (lasted updated in 2012), and trail and error (wouldn't take that long), I would go with one of the other programs used by many forum members.  Just following the different track planning topics, I think SCARM has a good following and the author seems readily available.  It would be interesting to have someone actually compare SCARM and AnyRail in a review.

Thank you Ron.. I haven't given up on RR yet... Im still playing with it. I am technically competent so I am hopeful with time an patience I can figure it out. Based on the response though... I just figured maybe I made another mistake.

I am really looking forward to learning from the folks here... maybe I should ask more questions before I spend my money. Being as I don't have a local club to learn from... I have really felt I was on my own.... which you see where is has gotten me so far.

Tom

Tom we have used RRTracks for several years and started with the tutorial which gave us a good basis for beginning. After that it was trial and error but we learned how it worked pretty fast.

When we had the track plan that we wanted, we followed the plan and it was accurate to about 1/2 inch. We use Ross track and turnouts and Gargraves flex-track.

We spent 6 months planning and the last 18-24 months completing level 1 and the right side level 2. I updated the track plan and changed a section last week. There was a relearning curve but nothing difficult.

I have been in touch with Russ one time and the service received was fine but I did not sense that he wanted to converse.

Check out the tutorial if you have not done so and see what you think.

You mentioned not having local assistance, etc. That was us… we knew nothing except that we had trains as kids. If we can help you, send me an e-mail or give us a call and leave a message (757) 334-4046.

@Bill Webb posted:

Tom we have used RRTracks for several years and started with the tutorial which gave us a good basis for beginning. After that it was trial and error but we learned how it worked pretty fast.

When we had the track plan that we wanted, we followed the plan and it was accurate to about 1/2 inch. We use Ross track and turnouts and Gargraves flex-track.

We spent 6 months planning and the last 18-24 months completing level 1 and the right side level 2. I updated the track plan and changed a section last week. There was a relearning curve but nothing difficult.

I have been in touch with Russ one time and the service received was fine but I did not sense that he wanted to converse.

Check out the tutorial if you have not done so and see what you think.

You mentioned not having local assistance, etc. That was us… we knew nothing except that we had trains as kids. If we can help you, send me an e-mail or give us a call and leave a message (757) 334-4046.

Thank you very much. I appreciate the offer. I will definitely keep that in mind!!! I love this place already... everyone here is very helpful and friendly!!!

Tom

Tom, if you're unable to reach Bill & Paula, please feel free to contact me (email in profile) and I'll be glad to help as well. I've used the product since 2014 and have had lots of trial-and-error with it. It's a great product, but the "service" from the owner has always been severely lacking.

John

@BlueComet400 posted:

Tom, if you're unable to reach Bill & Paula, please feel free to contact me (email in profile) and I'll be glad to help as well. I've used the product since 2014 and have had lots of trial-and-error with it. It's a great product, but the "service" from the owner has always been severely lacking.

John

Thank you! I’m definitely not afraid to jump in, but like I have found the learning curve to be steeper than I anticipated.

I found the same thing with RRTrack, and I've been involved with computers my whole life.  That's why I went to AnyRail.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I found the same thing with RRTrack, and I've been involved with computers my whole life.  That's why I went to AnyRail.

I’m a career IT technician…. 24 years in the business… and it’s been challenging to say the least

@Godale03 posted:

I’m a career IT technician…. 24 years in the business… and it’s been challenging to say the least

Electrical Engineer, started with IBM in the 60's, retired in 2008.

Tom,  I also have RR Track V5.  I have used it to plan our complete layout and to print out the entire layout (1:1) in prep for track laying.  While it takes some time to get used to, it's not bad. There's still stuff i havent learned.  At first i didn't like it, but being stubborn, i didn't want to go out and purchase another product.  I've used it to design a layout using superO track with Weltz custom superO curves and Ross switches.  For me it works. I know nothing about the other programs  - such as if they have Weltz curves and SuperO track in their libraries.   I'm available if you need help.

Tom A

@TomSuperO posted:

Tom,  I also have RR Track V5.  I have used it to plan our complete layout and to print out the entire layout (1:1) in prep for track laying.  While it takes some time to get used to, it's not bad. There's still stuff i havent learned.  At first i didn't like it, but being stubborn, i didn't want to go out and purchase another product.  I've used it to design a layout using superO track with Weltz custom superO curves and Ross switches.  For me it works. I know nothing about the other programs  - such as if they have Weltz curves and SuperO track in their libraries.   I'm available if you need help.

Tom A

Thanks Tom! I appreciate it.

There are tutorials on you tube but to be honest they aren't that great. RR track is powerful, but it also has a user interface that is non intuitive and is more like a professional cad program in that regards, it is not something you learn easily. I ended up using rail modeler pro on my mac, because I can have the laptop with me while installing the track and can play around with the design on the screen if I have inspiration (it is a macbook air) to see what would happen if I changed it. Unlike RR track I was able to figure out railmodeler pro quickly for what I needed (my layout isn't complex, using sectional track, I don't have elevations, etc) and found it somewhat intuitive.