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This simulator republished by Focus requires only a PC and perhaps best of all the layout you have been working on for weeks never needs to be packed away, you just save it and return when you next have an hour or three to spare.

It works on Windows 98 or later and I found it took 114MB of hard disc space and the installation took only three minutes, mind you I did have Direct X installed and it will install this if required.

It can be configured to work in three resolutions 800x600, 1024x768 or 1280x960, you choose and then the program opens in that resolution, joy of joys when you close it your desktop looks as before as no icons seem to have been moved, this is something that used to happen a lot when default resolutions were changed. There are also two colour depths 16bit and 32bit.

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The basic scenario is to create layouts but so much more can be added. I suggest you look at some of the examples just to see what can be achieved. Looking at the examples show how a signal controls a section of track and so when controlling multiple trains on a single track layout this is vital to avoid crashes.

You can built a basic layout quite quickly select the track and lay it. Next add rolling stock and signals and you can prove things work. However the real joy for any young - or not so young - enthusiast is to add scenery and buildings.

A good starting point once you have had your initial 'play' is with the tutorial. There is a 24 page well illustrated PDF formal file that talks you through building an analogue layout. It just mentions a digital one at the end, I will not spoil your enjoyment by covering what the major difference is.

There is also a 19 page manual and between that and the tutorial all the interface and screen controls should be well covered.

Building a real layout in the loft or any spare room requires a lot of money and while the track layout is reasonably easy - although expensive - to construct the scenery is altogether more expensive and time consuming. Then things get difficult how do you go three dimensional with layouts that snake in and out of hillsides or dare I say mountains. All this and more can be achieved with Create your own Model Railway. If the 'child' is still hooked after a few months then you know that the money you will need to spend on the real thing is less likely to be wasted.

After all there are 12 types of steam locomotive and 32 types of goods wagons and carriages available. You can Rotate the layout at the touch of a button, there are night time effects and of course also the terrain and the scenery. Surely a good £9.99 for anyone interested in model railways.

http://www.focusmm.co.uk/shop/Create-your-own-Model-Railway-pr-372.html