Empire Express Deluxe

I've used this software for years, since 2007 or 2008, and have designed and built a number of model railroads (and modifications to them) using this software. It lacks some of the frills of RailModeller (which I have also used), but it has something much more critical to ANYONE attempting to draw a plan that will fit a specific space with little or no room for error: it is ACCURATE. I had to stop using RailModeller because unlike those with many square feet of real estate for a layout and can afford minor track geometry errors (particularly with Atlas switches--by far the single most common brand here in the U.S.), I work in small spaces where an inch or fraction thereof can mean the difference between a layout that fits the space and one that fails completely, and I have had design failure happen with RailModeller. If you use Empire Express, it will fit exactly as it is drawn. Period. For brands of buildings not provided, the software is sufficiently flexible to draw shapes to fit whatever you want to put on a layout in terms of buildings, bridges, or scenery shapes. It is not fancy. It is just the best you can get if you need to be absolutely sure that what you are attempting to build in small or tight spaces will fit. Why 4.5 stars? It's terrific, but I'd love more provided building shapes, options to use two rail as well as centerline designs, and more ease of adding color to track and more. It would be great if upgrades came a little more frequently too, but all you MUST have is here now, and it's right.