From: greene@edisto.mro4.dec.com (Michael Greene)
Subject: Re: Computer Aided Track Planning
Reply-To: greene@edisto.mro4.dec.com (Michael Greene)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 19:17:21 GMT


--At the Columbus NMRA convention back in August I saw a demo
of a new package called PC-Rail. It looked slick! But I've not seen a review
anywhere yet. And I have just ordered a copy, so I really cannot offer
any comments of my own. Perhaps another user can.

I have scanned in and converted to text the flyer I got in Columbus.
Any errors are likely mine due to this process. I'd suggest confirming
all information with the supplier. As usual I have no financial or
other affiliation with this company except as someone who has just ordered
a copy of the software.

Their convention flyer follows:
-----------------------------------------

PC-Rail(TM)           Track-Planning Software for Model Railroaders

PC-Rail will eliminate a lot of the work associated with track planning, but
not an ounce of the FUN!

Using PC-Rail, you'll be able to:

+ Design your layout using all popular brands of track in any scale or
gauge.  PC-Rail will allow you to select the track you want and will
automatically fix it in place in its proper dimensions on your
computer screen.

+ If you like, use multiple brands of track and  turnouts  in  the  same
layout.  PC-Rail has a working pictorial catalog of popular brands of
track, so as you choose what you want, you'll see what it'll look like.

+ Add scenery and buildings to your plan.  If  you  type  in  the  brand
and item number, PC-Rail will insert each building you select to
scale in its actual dimensions!

+ Move, eliminate or reposition any objects to suit your taste.

+ PC-Rail will automatically  complete  curves  and  straights  on  your
layout diagram, saving hours of tedious track and curve fitting.

+ PC-Rail will print your plan, either scaled down to fit on a letter-
sized paper, or as a 1:1 multi-sheet or plotter based  working  plan.

+ PC-Rail will also create a bill of materials, based on your plan,  for
you and your hobby dealer to use as a shopping and budgeting
guide as you build your layout.

PC-Rail will run on all IBM or IBM-compatible PCs having at least a 286 
processor.  For 286 and 386 machines, a co-processor is recommended. 
486 machines do not require a co-processor.

PC-Rail      Specifications:

PC-Rail is compatible with all IBM-compatible personal computers of the AT
       class (286,386,486) and above.

	IBM PC/AT mit Intel 80286 or higher (80386,80486,...)
	640 KB Memory
	Hard Drive with minimum of 5MB space
	51/4" or 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive.
	VGA or EGA Monitor, monochrome or color, color is recommended.
	Microsoft Mouse or compatible with MS Mouse Driver software.
	MS-DOS/PC-DOS operating system software Version 3.30 or higher.

Important Notice:
For the best performance of PC-Rail we recommend the iinstallation of a
compatible co-processor in the Series 8Ox87 (80287,80387 .... ). These co-
processors will make a significant improvement in the performance of PC-
Rail.  In the systems with the 80486 DX Series Processors, the co-processor is
integral to the system.

Printers Supported:

PC-Rail supports most popular printers on the market today either directly or
through emulation.  This includes laser printers and plotters as well.  Here 
is a list of the supported units:
                 * HP - Deskjet
                 * Epson - LQ und Epson - FX Series
                 * HP Laserjet II (minimum 1-2 MB memory)
                 * HP Laserjet III
                 * IBM ProPrinter
                 * NEC Matrix Printers P Series
                 * Postscript Printer
                 * Plotters with HPGL-2 Functionality


PC-Rail Price List

Part                           Description                             Price
HBN-120              Basic Module with standard libraries             $59-95
							    Introductory Price

HBN-121HO            Marklin-M Track Library                          $19-95
HBN-122HO            Marklin-K Track Library                          $19-95
HBN-123HO            Fleischmann Model Track Library                  $19.95
HBN-124HO            Fleischmann Profi-Track Library                  $19.95
HBN-125HO            TRIX (Model Power) Track Library                 $19.95
HBN-126HO            Walthers/Shinohara Track Library                 $19-95
HBN-127HO            Atlas Snap Track Library                         $19-95
HBN-128HO            ROCO/Atlas Code 83 Track Library                 $19-95
HBN-129HO            ROCO Strean-dine Track Library                   $19-95
HBN-130HO            PECO Track Library                               $19-95
HBN-131HO            KATO Track Library                               $19-95
HBN-14OLGB           LGB Track Library                                $19-95
HBN-141N             Fleischmann Piccolo Track Library                $19-95
HBN-143N             TRIX (Model Power) Track Lbrary                  $19.95
HBN-1443N            Atlas N-Scale Track Library                      $19-95
HBN-145N             Walthers/Shinohara N Scale Track Library         $19.95
HBN-146N             Arnold Track Library                             $19.95
HBN-147N             Kato N Scale Track Library                       $19.95
HBN-148N             ROCO N Scale Track Library                       $19.95
HBN-149N             PECO N Scale Track Library                       $19.95
HBN-15OZ             Marklin Z Scale Track Library

Special Libraries
HBN-160HO            HO Buildings/Scenery Supplement                  $59.95
HBN-16IN             N- Scale Buildings/Scenery Supplement            $49.95
HBN-162LGB           LGB Buildings/Scenery Supplement                 $29.95
HBN-163Z             Z Scale Buildings/Scenery Supplement             $19.95

Accessories
HBN-17OPC            Integrated Information 2C87 Coprocessor 20 MHz   $99.00
HBN-171PC            Integrated Information 3C87SX Coprocessor 20 MHz$129.00
HBN-172PC            Integrated Information 3C87 Coprocessor 33 MHz  $169.00
HBN-173PC            Integrated InformaLion 3C87 Coprocessor 40 MHz  $249.00

ORDER from:
   HobbyNet Enterprises, Inc                                       
   1904 Jackson  Ave.
   Ann Arbor,MI  48103
   800-999-1889
   FAX 313-761-2948

---------End of flyer


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
** The opinions expressed above are not necessarily those of my employer **

Michael Greene                  Phone:     +1 508.467.2149
Networking Consultant           FAX:       +1 508.467.3106
Public Sector Marketing         E'mail:    greene@edisto.mro4.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corp.         
Marlboro, MA USA                Member, 470 Railroad Club
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