AI usage notice

Where AI is used

• The Planner, in the Layout Designer: builds and changes a track plan from your words or a picture of a plan, using the same tools you have by hand.
• The Conductor, in the simulator: runs the layout from your words, and answers questions about it.
• Autopilot and the puzzle assessment: solves a switching puzzle, drives it while explaining each move, and reviews how your run went.
• The site assistant: the chat on the website, which answers questions and can find hobby shops near a place you give.
• The Ideas board: a check for ideas similar to one you're about to post.

Nothing else is AI. Laying track by hand, the wiring checks, pulling power, the parts list, printing, importing and exporting, and driving are ordinary code, and work the same with AI switched off or with no credit.

What is sent, and to whom

When you use an AI feature, only what it needs is sent to our AI provider, Anthropic, to produce the answer: your request, the state of the layout or puzzle, your conversation with the Planner and your plan, and any picture of a track plan you give it. Your password and email aren't sent with it. The privacy policy has the detail, including how long we keep usage records (the number of tokens each call used, for the cost view).

What it costs

AI features use AI Credit, which every account starts with ($5, once your email is confirmed) and which you can top up in packs. Each call takes what it cost us off your balance, at the rate on the pricing page. Credit never expires, there is no subscription, and nothing is charged without a purchase you make yourself.

What it can get wrong

• The Planner lays real pieces with real geometry, but it can choose a poor route, a wrong radius, or leave a gap. The Info card lists what's wrong, and every change it makes is undoable. Check a plan before you buy parts for it.
• The Conductor sets turnouts and drives trains in the simulator only. It can't affect a real layout.
• Answers about prototypes, products, prices and history can be out of date or mistaken. Part numbers and prices in the parts list come from the makers' catalogs and the stores' lists, not from the AI.
• Pulling power, grades and clearances are estimates from standard modeling rules of thumb (NMRA car weights, 20% adhesion), not measurements of your locos.

Your choices

• You can use every part of the site without the AI features.
• Admins can switch the AI features off for the whole site, and each account has a daily limit.
• Questions or concerns: get in touch.

Last updated October 24, 2026.