What is the best software for keeping track of rolling stock & locos?
I use a simple Excel spreadsheet. I track manufacturer, catalog number, car type, road name, and cost. I also keep a copy of the spreadsheet off site, for insurance.
Nick
I’ve set up a database using Access. Once you intially get it set up, it’s a breeze to use as when using a form to input data, it’s almost impossible to loose the info. Gordon
I also use an Excel spreadsheet. I track a few more things like road number, whether its been upgraded to metal wheelsets and I graph the roadnames so I can keep track of “foreign” roads as I build my roster.
Rick
I have excel on my computer, so it was very easy to just make my own spreadsheet. I have one for locomotives in which I track the make, wheel arraingement, price, decoder installed, where purchased, date purchased, etc., and another for every purchase that I have made for anything to do with MRR’g. The 3rd spreadsheet is one for all my rolling stock which as the Mfgr, date bought, price, where bought, car number, car owner ( ie B&M , UP, etc. ). Excel is such an easy program to use and you can can design and track anything you heart desires on your RR.
Well, since he hasn’t posted yet… jxtrrx (Jack) has some shareware for just that purpose: http://www.musicmixradio.com/yardoffice/ I’ve tried it a little bit at work here just to see what it’s like, but haven’t installed it at home yet. $20 seems very reasonable, especially for the capabilities. I was actually looking for something to do waybills and car cards at the time, but I do really like the look of this for when I set up inventory software. Since I’m posting this here - Jack - adding car card/waybill capabilities would be way cool. Randy
As others have already noted, spreadsheets and/or databases work well.
However, Excel and Access were mentioned. But what if your computer didn’t come with the Microsoft Office programs and you can’t justify or just plain don’t want to send to Uncle Bill the (high) purchase price? Or what if you use Linux?
Fortunately, there is an easy and inexpensive answer: OpenOffice is an industrial-strength office suite that’s free, will run on Windows, Mac, and Linux, has all the functionality most people will ever need, and can open, use, and save documents in Microsoft Office format should you ever need to.
I use an OpenOffice database for my inventory and several OpenOffice spreadsheets for various lists such as a wish list, a list of open cars that need loads, lists of various DCC/wiring info for the layout, etc. I also have a few OpenOffice word-processor documents divided by subject where I copy and paste info I’ve found that may be useful to me. I’ve also used it to create the slides (ala PowerPoint) and handouts for a clinic I gave at an NMRA division meet. Of course, it can also be used for all your non-MRR office suite needs as well.
HTH,
Steve
I use RRTRains 2000 it is a small application written by Gregory Braun and it is free shareware available for download at: RRTRAINS 2000
Besides being free, I like the ability to export the data to an Excel csv file.
I use YARDOFFICE as well. Free demo - 20 bucks for full version/updates etc. It has all of the particulars I need for inventory. I always take a printout of my inventory by roadname to the LHS to make sure I don’t get any dupes. Terry
I use an Access program written by Dave Husmann. It’s available in the files section of the RRSignal group on Yahoo - you have to join the group to get to the files section though.
One of my back-burner projects is a little updating of this program. First step would be to move the data store to MS SQL (actually the free MSDE runtime engine) since Access is a pitifully poor quality database. ANother thing I want to do is add a few more reports - notably one that will print a handy pocket-size list of my engine and rolling stock roster, to carry to train shows so I don’t buy dupes (I’ve reached the point where I can’t remember EVERY car number I own). The third thing I wanted to do is tie the program to JMRI to store the loco configurations in the database with the rest of the roster information. I don’t want to write another DecoderPro program, I just want to import and export the loco files from DecoderPro. I envision a ‘program loco’ button on the roster program that will dump the decoder settings to the proper XML file and then call DecoderPro.
Anyway, Dave’s program is very full-featured, it will generate car cards and so forth as well as keep inventory. There’s space for cost and replacement value as well as the usual maufacturer information. And the price is hard to beat.
–Randy
If you don’t have MS Office, you most likely bought a computer with MSWorks installed. You can get MSWorks 8.0 for $50 & the MSWorks Suite with other stuff for $99. Works includes a spreadsheet & a database program. Works includes templates & projects to organize your CD or video collections,& other common household tasks. You don’t get Outlook but it does include a calendar, address book, etc. It can be easily modified for model RR use. The suite version includes Word 03, so your work can be transferred to Excel or Access later. Corel used to offer a home version of their Wordperfect Office product.
Thanks guys! That gives me lots to work with. I appreciate the help!
Trippet