RailModeller Express

Name: RailModeller Express
Rating: 0 (0 reviews)
Author: Jan P. Barnholt

Create small train layouts

Only for Mac

Free · In‑App Purchases

Ages

4+
Years
Category

Graphics & Design
Developer

Jan P. Barnholt
Language

EN
+ 1 More
Size

89.3
MB

Mac

Create and edit model railway layouts with the free RailModeller Express. Key features include: • A clean and intuitive user interface, • Tools designed for constructing model train layouts with up to 50 elements, • More than 280 multi-brand libraries containing more than 7000 tracks and accessories (localized in English & German), • Support for all common and many custom model scales, • Assistants for placing tracks at different heights and creating grades, • Definition of a baseboard indicating the available area for a model railway layout, • Customizable modes for viewing the layout in two and three dimensions, • Automatically generated shopping lists, • A price database automatically syncing item prices across layouts, • Community Layouts with hundreds of track plans created by a community of fellow model railroaders, • A file format 100% compatible with our fully-featured "RailModeller Pro" app for macOS

Ratings & Reviews

This app hasn’t received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview.

Exactly what I wanted!
12/23/2017

Mykohl
I’m just getting into Z-scale modeling, and was in the midst of planning my first permanent layout. To help me with that task, I was actually just looking for a good 2D scale-drawing/CAD program, from which I had planned to make my own track-section templates. I was surprised to find this amazing tool, pre-loaded with ALL the Marklin and Rokuhan track sections available. For my needs, it is just about as perfect as I could imagine. Very easy to use, if you are even remotely familiar with other types of diagramming software. It’s even fun to use. I currently have the free version, but will happily pay for the upgrade to the $40 version, just to support the developer.
Exactly what I wanted!
12/23/2017

Mykohl

I’m just getting into Z-scale modeling, and was in the midst of planning my first permanent layout. To help me with that task, I was actually just looking for a good 2D scale-drawing/CAD program, from which I had planned to make my own track-section templates. I was surprised to find this amazing tool, pre-loaded with ALL the Marklin and Rokuhan track sections available. For my needs, it is just about as perfect as I could imagine. Very easy to use, if you are even remotely familiar with other types of diagramming software. It’s even fun to use. I currently have the free version, but will happily pay for the upgrade to the $40 version, just to support the developer.
Challenging But Works
02/08/2021

Traveler hung out to dry
Colleague gave me some pointers and I got basic elements of the program to work! Hooray. Thre is a sharp learning curve, and undoubtedly the program has many "features" that I'll never use because I will never figure out how to use them. But for basic track layout planning it can be a useful tool. I would not rely on the product for final installation of the planned layout (you will definitely need to fit and adjust) as there are too many uncertainties in the track layout plan produced by the program -- it suggests a degree of precision that I don't beleive is warranted -- but using this program did show me that PECO #6 turnouts would not work and that I needed to use #5 turnouts. (I will still test fit both.) That alone was informative. A user guide would be helpful.
Challenging But Works
02/08/2021

Traveler hung out to dry

Colleague gave me some pointers and I got basic elements of the program to work! Hooray. Thre is a sharp learning curve, and undoubtedly the program has many "features" that I'll never use because I will never figure out how to use them. But for basic track layout planning it can be a useful tool. I would not rely on the product for final installation of the planned layout (you will definitely need to fit and adjust) as there are too many uncertainties in the track layout plan produced by the program -- it suggests a degree of precision that I don't beleive is warranted -- but using this program did show me that PECO #6 turnouts would not work and that I needed to use #5 turnouts. (I will still test fit both.) That alone was informative. A user guide would be helpful.
very capable
07/29/2023

Pidloop
I've used this program to design two layouts. One using Peka HO the other using Rokuhan Z scale. Both part libraries were comprehensive and accurate. The program options allowed me to easily explore ideas and optimize the space I had to work with.My only nit is the program will silently save a changed file without first asking the usual "Are you sure?" so beware of that.
very capable
07/29/2023

Pidloop

I've used this program to design two layouts. One using Peka HO the other using Rokuhan Z scale. Both part libraries were comprehensive and accurate. The program options allowed me to easily explore ideas and optimize the space I had to work with.My only nit is the program will silently save a changed file without first asking the usual "Are you sure?" so beware of that.
Fine functions for freeware
12/25/2018

hawksoup
I’ve spent a couple of days getting to know this software as I plot a new layout, my first in many years. It’s remarkably glitch-free and highly functional — all possible stars for that. The tutorials and documentation are very limited, as far as I can tell, so getting acquainted with the program’s basic functions is trial-and-error. That’s the only problem I’ve encountered, and it IS possible to figure things out as you go. Compared to other CAD I’ve used (non-model railroad), it’s not a steep learning curve. And it’s a very good teaser for the Pro version.
Fine functions for freeware
12/25/2018

hawksoup

I’ve spent a couple of days getting to know this software as I plot a new layout, my first in many years. It’s remarkably glitch-free and highly functional — all possible stars for that. The tutorials and documentation are very limited, as far as I can tell, so getting acquainted with the program’s basic functions is trial-and-error. That’s the only problem I’ve encountered, and it IS possible to figure things out as you go. Compared to other CAD I’ve used (non-model railroad), it’s not a steep learning curve. And it’s a very good teaser for the Pro version.

In this maintenance release: • Enhanced stepper controls improving unit handling in Size to Fit, Shift Tracks, and Track Grading dialogs • Improved rotated element label positioning for flex tracks and parallel tracks • Various general user interface refinements and improvements RailModeller Express 6.6 adds: • A new Layout menu grouping all layout-level operations • A new Baseboard menu for baseboard operations including rotation, mirroring, ordering, and controlling dimension display • New customization options in Display Settings: Element labels now support background fills, outlines, and rotation for improved readability • A refreshed Part List dialog with improved previews, new alias column • Improved Find Elements feature with new options to search selectively by name, alias, description, or library name as well as model scale filtering • A new Track Height/Grade Entry dialog for direct entry and editing of height and grade for individual tracks • New visibility controls in the 3D Settings Inspector for bumpers, tunnel portals, track marks, and baseboards, plus additional texture options • Improved 3D view with better lighting, performance and visual fixes for bumpers, trestles and track elements Additional changes in version 6.6 include • Release history now easily accessible from the Welcome window via "What's New" link • Part List CSV export can now include header row and index column • New setting for more control on height label positioning • New "Apply Default Color to Layer Elements" function in the Layer menu • Fixed issue where temporary files were not being cleaned up properly during file operations • Updated user guide RailModeller Express 6.6 is compatible with both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. See the full release notes and details at https://www.railmodeller.com/news-en.html

Version 6.6.1

11/19/2025

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