Links
Design Tools
3rd PlanIt
CAD for the Model Railroader! It excels at designing your track plan. You can view the plan in 3D and run trains to highlight any issues. Learning curve is steep but well worth it. One-time charge to purchase. For an additional fee, vendor also will cut your subroadbed to precision tolerance.
Sketchup
This well-known product excels at creating 3D models. Buy lunch for a friend who knows how to use it in exchange for a 2-hour tutorial and you’ll be glad you did.
The latest desktop version that you can get for free is Sketchup Make 2017. It’s adequate for me and it allows you to install extensions. If this link doesn’t direct you to a download of Sketchup Make 2017, do a Google search to find the best way to download it.
Sketchup Free is a free online-only version. While its user interface somewhat matches that of the desktop product, it doesn’t support extensions.
The latest desktop versions are kinda pricey.
Backdrops
RailroadBackdrops.com
I purchased my commercially printed backdrops from this company. While expensive, the quality of the service and the finished product made the backdrops worthwhile. They have a huge selection covering tons of scenes.
Track
PECO
I use only Peco brand track, rail joiners, turnouts and turnout motors on my layout. I think their products are far superior and worth the few extra shillings.
YankeeDabbler.com
These folks are my go-to source for lots of things, especially Peco track, turnouts and accessories. They offer very competitive prices, they ship fast and handled a couple of special orders like the pros they are.
Traverser Table Components
OpenBuilds
My traverser table uses a linear actuator to move the table back and forth. OpenBuilds sells a kit to make the entire unit. It comes in 3 sizes.
Zyltech
My traverser table rides on these bearing blocks, to take some of the weight off the linear actuator.
The chrome rods’ rigidity helps to keep the table from wobbling or being able to be jostled.
Adafruit
A custom program was written and loaded onto an Arduino microcomputer. Adafruit is an excellent source for that and they offer prototype boards that make it easy to permanently wire up your components.
Pololu
A stepper motor, and a matched stepper motor driver, provides the energy and movement to cause the traverser table to move. Pololu provided the items I used and they worked great and are fairly priced. They are well-known to be very reliable.