CADRail? AnyRail? Something else - Model Railroader Magazine

I'm a long time XtrackCad user. (Since it first became free over 10 years ago). I use it not just to plan my own layouts but for some clients as well. Used to in planning a layout using pencil and paper, correspondence between the client and my self could take weeks to get approval on a design change. Now its simply a matter of getting the client to download the program, and I can send him a copy of the layout and he can approve or disapprove any changes made in a matter of minutes.

I found it easy to learn, (just follow the demos in the help section and if that doesn't help there's on-line tutorials as well), and much easier to use. Since 99% of all layout plans are 2D in magazines and books, and that's the way most people view the plans,  I think that the 3D option in 3PT is overrated to some extent.

While I also have copies of 3rd Plan-it, and Cad-rail on my computer, unless the client wants it done in 3PT for the 3D rendering, or Cadrail for whatever reason, I don't use them. I've also have extensive experience with the RTS from Atlas and good experience with SCARM. For me XtrackCad is the easiest and best to use. I've taken it and have actually run op sessions to check out how the layout will work after it's built. It has libraries of almost all the brands of track, most of the Cornerstone buildings from Walthers as well as others. When "running" trains on it, it has a fair choice of locos and cars to use.  It also has the ability to let you design and save your own structures. There are even some basic scenery items that can be plugged into the design, if you so wish.

Edit; using the options in one of the drawing tools, it gives you dimensional lumber, allowing you to also design the benchwork, and with another tool draw in your wiring. All of this can be done on separate layers that unless you want it to be in the main view of the layout, won't be but it does allow you to to have the lengths of the lumber printed out for you so you don't either buy too much or not enough.

Overall its an extremely sophisticated program and does everything I ask and need it to do plus the price is definitely right!.