ModelRailwayEasily 4+

After installation, here is the screen message received on a Mac Mini i7 8GB RAM with Intel HD 3000 graphics: "You must have a Metal compatible graphics card and be running Mac OS X 10.11.6 or later to launch this process,” and so it would not run. Next I installed it on my MacBook Pro i5 8GB RAM with "Metal Graphics,” and it ran just fine; however, per instructions to build your layout, you need to connect a (Microsoft style) two-button mouse with a scroll wheel to easily manipulate the view of the layout board. Unfortunately, no instructions were provided for using a “MacBook touchpad" in order to move, rotate and zoom in and out on the layout.

I've run this sim for several days, and I'm learning. I think it a very nice, although rudementary, model rail game. Be aware this is not a detailed model rail planning tool. It is a simulation game.

I think the graphics are decent. Zoom in tight and see the rail and balast; zoom in on a loco or the cars and there the detail is reasonable as well. Alas, on my late 2012 mini, I had to reduce details, turn off shadows and the music, but with that the trains run smoothly. I like it.

Now for realistic expectations. If you are looking to create multi-level track with acurate 2% grades, varied rolling hils, lakes, etc. This is not it. But if you want to wile-away a bit of relaxation time watching a train run, this could work. It does for me. And a crazy long train adds no cost to the layout :-) .

Now, I do hope the author is continuing work on the app. Adding those hils, lakes, and track grades would be nice. Having a way to easily place parallel curves, throw turnouts, hear train sounds; all would make excellent upgrades, and I encourage continued development of the app.

And, it has not crashed at all.

I look forward to improvements to come; I hope there are some.

Locks up during file open procedure and addition of certain track sections.
Requires frequent system reboot.
Nowhere near ready for retail.
Look elsewhere.