I’ve been at collecting PW trains for a few years, and have amassed quite a few items. Some I really enjoy, some are just OK, but I’m still running all of them, even if I buy them NIB.
I know what I have and that I have some considerable cash invested, even for my small layout, and roster of about 25-cars. I tend to focus on the trains, and not the money, much to my loving, enduring wife’s shagrin.
Does anyone keep track of their ‘investments’? I mean seriously note their trains and accessories, prices paid, and estimated current value?
I try to BEFORE I buy something, so you don’t get ripped off. Obviously you don’t want to pay $1000 for a 44 ton 027 switcher; and if you get a crack at a Canadian Pacific streamline set for $100 you need to know to jump on it. It’s good that you run your stuff and be aware that if you have something mint-in-the-box that’s worth a bundle you can turn it for stuff that you can run and not worry about. I run anything I have except for duplicates and one of the silliest things I ever heard of was a story they ran in the “other rag”(OGR) about a guy who bought one of the 746 “J” sets from 1958 with all the operating cars and he X-RAYED the box to see that it had the culvert loader and the 264 forklift and the horse car,etc. What was a little sad was that someone got a 68 executive car MIB never opened, but had been stored in a damp basement and it was rusting in the box. But yes, I try to be as smart as I can with my train dollars as I can. However, if they went down in value by 90% tomorrow I could live with that because I 'm in the hobby first to run trains as a model railroader. I do scenery and I try to run stuff prototypically as much as possibly. But you have to be smart with your train dollars.
I also use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track. I separate by manufacturer, and include price paid. Mostly I use so I don’t get too many duplicates. It is real handy when at train meets .
I use Microsoft Access 2007. I like keeping an inventory. I don’t plan on selling my trains, but it is nice to know what you have and how much you paid. It is also good for insurance reasons.
I list them by;
Manufacturer, Catalog #, Equipment style (caboose, boxcar, etc…), Description, Years produced, Condition, Date Acquired, Purchase Price, Current Value.
I can also add a picture of the item to the “sheet”.
Very cool, do you have this file set up where you could email a blank copy? I’m not familiar with access even though I have it. It would be great to get a file that’s already set up and start plugging in my info. If you’re willing to share that is…?
I wrote every item down and keep it by my computer so before i Buy i can look and see if i already have one. i forget things really easy and this is working so far.
I remember my mistakes - though I must say I feel I have never ‘mis-bought’ something - if that is a word - fortunately the trolleys I can count on two hands. [;)]
No, I don’t keep tabs of what I have spent overall - though perhaps I should for insurance purposes.
Then again, I throw away the Lionel boxes - and am infamously known for opening a mint K-line pedal car in front of a group of collectors just to play with it. [:O]
Ihave purchased most of my collection on ebay. I keep a file with the actual webpages and receipts. I started recollecting my boyhood trains about 2 years ago. to date up to about $4000. paqssword protected foom you know who[;)]
I collect, but more importantly run, mostly PW as well, and I do try to keep track of purchases. I keep track for the similar reasons already stated above. But I seem to be in the minoity as to how I keep track. Even though I use Excel for work, and my buisness, as well as other similar sotwares. I find the simple four column accountants ledger works just fine. Some may remember them.
I found I use the ledger book more easily and religiously. Acquire an item; jot it down under the correct page. No lap top to carry. [:D]
Sure, the ledger has it’s shortcomings, but it won’t crash. [:-^] I work with computers and software all day. A paper and pencil feels goods when I’m working with trains.
I just happened to find this site http://www.mymodeltrains.com/ which is a train inventory tracking system. I don’t know if I’d like keeping all my info on the net though.
