Hello from iRunTrains! (And a potential 3D bridge to explore?)

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The question

Paul Rybarczyk 1 hour ago

Hi everyone,

As a fellow Three.js developer and model-train fan, I recently became aware of the incredible work Fedor has been doing with TRAX3D, and I am extremely impressed by what is being built here. I wanted to introduce myself to the community and share a related passion-project that I think many of you may find interesting.

My name is Paul, and I created a Mac app called iRunTrains as a hobby-project back in 2010. Later, I also teamed up with a friend to bring iRunTrains to his iPhone/iPad App Store. Although both those projects have gradually slowed over the years, I’m now retired and have jumped back on the development train! So in 2025, I started rebuilding iRunTrains from scratch as a modern 3D web application (https://iRunTrains.com).

My focus is still interactive virtual model-train operations, train physics, and exploring new layouts in real-time. But because it’s built natively for the web (like TRAX3D), it can now run in any web browser, including Virtual Reality browsers - meaning you can, using a VR headset, stand right next to the tracks or even look down at the layout in your own living room.

The Future: A Bridge Between TRAX3D and iRunTrains?

Recently I’ve been chatting with Fedor about an exciting technical possibility … a simple export/import pipeline. Imagine designing your structurally perfect dream-layout right here in TRAX3D, hitting export, and then using iRunTrains to run the throttles, switch turnouts, and shunt cars on your layout. Would being able to "test drive" your TRAX3D track plans in an active simulator be something you would use? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Although iRunTrains has a (not yet public) "Layout Builder" meant for conceptual layout design, it will never have the precise, manufacturer-specific track libraries that TRAX3D offers. So I feel a bridge between TRAX3D and iRunTrains would strengthen both products, and I’d like to know what the TRAX3D community thinks. So please check out my site if you'd like to see iRunTrains in action, or just watch some of my recent project-videos on YouTube:

If you think this integration would be a valuable feature for TRAX3D, please reply below or give this post a thumbs-up so Fedor knows it's a tool the community wants to see built!

Best,

Paul (iRunTrains)

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