You really don't need digital

You really don't need digital and there is a learning curve getting comfortable with the software.  My suggestion for layout design is first work on your mainline, if you are going to have mainline running (which most do).  Then mentally divide up the area in segments and label each segment on the plan without any track drawn.  So for example, one segment could be an intermodal area (I'm a modern guy), then another might be fuel area for transport, and on and one.

Then either design track for each segment or you can let other plans inspire you for design idea, or you can do it all on your own.  Many try to force a track plan into the area they have available, most of the time this doesn't work.  Its easier to find a segment on a track plan you like and either copy it or modify it to fit your situation.

With digital you have to develop the skill and then when you are done, unless you are really active in layout design the skill goes away.

"what do you use to draw your

How big or complicated is the proposed layout?  Do you enjoy the planning enough to want to spend more time learning software or do you just want to get started building the layout as soon as possible? I've seen some folks spend many days,weeks, or years designing their layout with software and I've seen others sketch the plan out on a sheet of paper then start cutting wood. The method used to get the plan has no direct effect on the final results, that is more dependent on design talent,and building skills/experience....DaveB 

XTRKCAD

I use XTRKCAD. It's free and has most of the track on the market.

http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage

Another free program

SCARM is a nice and free program still being developed.

More information at  http://www.scarm.info/index.php

The author posts here too .

CorelDraw

I use CorelDraw since it's what I have and I've been drawing with it for over 20 years.

I drew every little detail each stick in the benchwork to every tree along the wayside on my BNML

You don't have to use a specific track plan designer but they do have the benefit of built in accurage geometry for turnouts etc.

The slow way

I draw the track plan with ruler markings on the edges, on graph paper. Then I scan it into my PC and load it into paint. Then it is redrawn using the paint tools to clean it up. Takes a while the first time but after that changes are easy to do. Not fancy but it works. It can then be save as a picture or word document for use in articles or just to make copies. Very old school, low tech.

SCARM is awesome after an

SCARM is awesome

after an hour or two I was drawing 

did a very complicated large layout and everything fitted perfectly 

best of all it is FREE

XTrkCAD

Works great and you can even run trains on it.

Randy

old school...

Still a paper and pencil guy...

Drawing My Track Plan

Thanks everyone for the comments.  I guess I wasn't very clear, though.  I have an operating layout; I'm not trying to design a new one.  I would, however, like to post a schematic drawing in each town with all of the locations identified so the operators would more easily be able to follow the spotting directions.  

LBrinker, I had thought of drawing and scanning but I thought you could not alter the scanned image in any way.  Your suggestion may be the answer if you can make changes with Paint.  I agree with the rest of you that learning drawing software takes time and i have found that I don't really have the time or the patience to do it.

Thanks again,

Mike

added note...

Mike, when you scan your paper copy, save it as a .jpg (jpeg) file. You can edit it in MS Paint or any photo editing app.

 I would, however, like to

Inkscape is a good program for  creating schematics.  It's easy to learn, and best of all it's free!

https://inkscape.org/en/

Steve S

OpenOffice Draw

I use OpenOffice Draw for my control panel art, schematics, etc.