A few months ago, the owner of TrainPlayer (see www.trainplayer.com) and myself got into contact, and decided to do a project together.
The goal of this project was to let TrainPlayer's trains run on AnyRail's tracks.

This turned out to be feasible, so we're currently in the final stages of integrating AnyRail and TrainPlayer.

Layouts designed with AnyRail can be exported in a special way, so that they can be imported into TrainPlayer, where you can put actual trains on the tracks and, well, play with them!

Of course, this does not mean that the development of AnyRail stopped in the direction of train simulation, but we really wanted to provide you with a solution right now instead of next year.

If anyone is interested in helping us to get through the testing phase, please let me know!

If you've any opinion on this development, please feel free to reply to this thread!

David.

I would love to be a guinea pig for this. This is wonderful news and am looking forward to learning more about TrainPlayer!

Hi David.

Thanks for your reply. Basically, I was going to buy it if it is the basic program so that I can test the system out for you. It also means that I could take my laptop with me to the exhibition on the 20th with a simulation running.

OT: Re that banner, my daughter says that there should be a comma between 'use' and 'sophisticated'! As there is no problem with the organisers, I have printed it (as is) and will laminate it and attach it to the front of the layout. (Another good reason to take the laptop.)

Best wishes,
Chris.

I think it's a question of taste really - the comma could be seen to serve some grammatical purpose, thereby delineating better "easy to use" and then "sophisticated", but I don't think it's crucial.

The comma might seem out of place considering the lack of other punctuation marks anyway.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the offer! If everything goes according to plan, TrainPlayer will have a beta release for testing ready within a week.

We plan to release a beta version as soon as they are ready, so that everyone having both programs can try for themselves how it works. Of coures, we appreciate everyone's comments highly!

I also want to say that with Dave we have enough volunteers now to guarantee that everything will be tested thoroughly!

I don't want to close this thread as more people might like to give their opinion on this cooperation, but as stated we've enough people to help now!

David.

Just to keep you up to date on this:

We've received the first test reports, and it seems that no big problems have been experienced so far.
Of course, there are difference in approach in the two programs, but in general we get positive feedback!

Please expect an update for AnyRail soon that makes it really easy to get your design into TrainPlayer.

David.

Hi Chris,

From this I conclude that you've not been contacted by TrainPlayer?

I'll forward you their mail and download link.

David.

In version 3.13.0 of AnyRail, you can create an export file that can be read by TrainPlayer.
To do so, go to the 'File/Export as...' menu, and select 'TrainPlayer export file'.

Two files will be generated: A .jpg to provide you with the correct background picture, and a .xml that holds all the necessary data for TrainPlayer.

In TrainPlayer, go to the 'File/Import' menu, and select 'AnyRail'. Navigate to the xml file that you've just exported from AnyRail and open it.

That's all there's to it!

Please note that the TrainPlayer side is still in the final test stages.

If you want to update your existing version of TrainPlayer, please contact either AnyRail or TrainPlayer.

For AnyRail, this functionality is available for anyone.
For TrainPlayer you need a license than includes 'TL' (TrackLayer).

Please enjoy!

David.