I’m just getting back into model railroading and have a question.
Does anybody keep track of their locos and cars? If so, how and how detailed? Just a name or everything (road name, number, style, color, date, cost). Just curiuous. I was thinking of starting a spreadsheet with everything on it. Am I nuts or are there other nuts out there with me?
Thanks.
Jeff
No, you’re not nuts.
A lot of people keep an inventory of their stuff.
A spreadsheet is one way, I use a database so that I can better organize my information.
For instance, I have a separate form for locomotives, freight cars & passenger cars.
All of this is in one database.
This way I’m able to see the information I want to see a bit clearer than having all the info on one page & if necessary, I can combine any bits of info together if I need to.
Gordon
I use an Excel spreadsheet. I track type, roadname, road number, manufacturer, price, wheelsets (metal?), type of commodity, and whether it is prototype (I may want to upgrade or repaint). I run a bar graph that tells me how many of each roadname I have. I model the CB&Q and have mostly cars in that roadname, but I also run cars from the railroads it interchanged with, the graph helps me keep a mix (oops, need another Milwaukee Road covered hopper!). I can also graph out the car types/commodities so I can quickly see how many coal cars, box cars, reefers, etc. Finally, the price is summed so I can see just how much money I’ve spent, I keep that figure hidden so my wife can’t see though! [;)]
Rick
Database… MS Access based… Everything from the railroad stuff to date of purchase, cost, approximate value, active or not, era, type of service (freight pass locomotive etc)… Maintainence records… A spreadsheet to do all of this would be a nightmare… Then again, so was setting up the database but for me it works quite well… now… Is it necassary? Probably not but having it handy when online shopping keeps me from buying duplicates…I’m also planning to use it for generating switchlists when I get that far. Would I do this if I didn’t have a computer? No I would not…
Jeff
There is software pre-made (freeware) out there that does a fine job, without having to do it yourself. [8D] I just can’t remember whee it is on the web.[:o)] Someone posted a link to it on this forum a while back, it’s quite nice.[:D]
I use RRTrains by Software by Design.
www.gregorybraun.com
Excel spreadsheet. I track car type, road name, manufacturer, coupler type (only because I’m in the process of converting), and for stuff purchased in the last 3 years (since I got active again) cost, approx date purchased, and where I got it. I also have a notes column (to help keep track of work in progress on upgrading or customizing).
Regards
Ed
Found it, it’s freeware and really nice to use.
I have an Excel Spread sheet. In addition to the normal things for the item description (Manufacturer, SKU, run, unit type, paint scheme, road number), and purchase (information like date of purchase, cost, where purchased), it also has modifications made (DCC, sound, detail parts, etc). I have one sheet per year for budget purposes, and then one sheet per equipment type (loco, freight cars, passenger cars, books, tools, etc).
Excel is actually totally inadequate for what I want, but every tool that I have tried (I think I have tried all the ones everyone has mentioned so far) has been. I want one system to do everything (inventory, repair/modifications/customization, operations, wish list, price analysis), so I am writing my own.
I used Microsoft Access to create three different data bases – one for locomotives, one for rolling stock, and one for passenger cars.
Each one lists the manufacturer, stock number, type of item, road name, road number, description, and price paid including any changes such as new wheelsets or couplers. For locomotives, I also list the decoder type and address.
What he said. Not only is it helpful when our memory fails us, (like at the LHS or train show) but you’ll want to have a complete inventory list just in case, heaven forbid, you ever have to file a loss claim with the insurance man.[V]
an inventory is a great idea. mine is currently a paper and pencil version but in 2006 I hope to put it into an inventory program or excel spreadsheet.
inventories are also good if there is ever an insurance claim or need to insure. photos (many items / photo) or videos would be quick and easy for this also. wouldn’t even hurt to put a column in the inventory for the price paid and / or replacement costs (keep receipts) that way it is handy. ( I needed to estimate the first 20 yrs of collecting for an approximate value)
don’t get too carried away though, enjoy the hobby - my opinion is that the inventory is a curiousity or collectors matter in most cases
Somwthing I’ll have to do for my DCC fleet is a laminated reference sheet for quick reference when mashing buttons on the throttle.
This will have to wait until I can achieve “keeping equipment on my track”
Fergie
www.trackmytrains.com is another.and theyre advertised in model railroader
tom
As previously noted in my post above, this software is freeware, it includes about everything everyone talks about, price paid, DCC notes, number , type coupler type, paint, insert block for a photo, all sorts of stuff.[:O]
I use Excel and keep track of manufractures, catalog number, item type, road name, and cost. I have seperate sheets for locos, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses, and trailers & containers.
Nick
I use a simple Access database and keep basic details such as description, road name and number, livery, manufacturer date and cost of purchase, maintenance and modifications record and DCC chip type and address. I also have linked this to “My Pictures” and can call up photographs of the model and (where available) photographs of the prototype.
I used Access so that I could modify the database later if I changed my mind about how I wanted it to work.
I also use the database to keep check of total value for insurance purposes and if the worst ever happens and I need to make a claim, I have a detailed inventory of my model railway stock.
I only have this database as an “extra interest” to my hobby. Hence it is not always 100% accurate nor do I lose any sleep over it being not alaways up to date.
I use a database for the same reasons Gordon does. It’s easy to set up a few different views for various types of things, and it isn’t limited to just rolling stock. Buildings, autos, track, DCC equipment - in other words, whatever you want to keep track of.
By keeping the price field consistant across all your views, you can easily total your investment. As noted elsewhere in this thread, that can come in handy for insurance or estate valuations.
Also, it’s easier with a database than with a spreadsheet to pull up a list of items meeting certain criteria. For example, say your LHS has your favorite metal Athearn replacement 33" wheelsets on sale, so you need a list of all your Athearn cars that are not RTR, not assembled, and have 33" plastic wheels. A quick query on your database will show you ONLY those cars, so you know how many wheelsets to buy, and which cars to locate on the layout or in storage.
FWIW, I use Lotus Approach for my database. If you don’t already have a database program, you can get the complete Lotus SmartSuite set of office programs, including Approach, MUCH, MUCH cheaper than M$ Office.
Also, I’ve used the other Lotus SmartSuite programs for MRR purposes, too. For example, Lotus Word for waybills and switchlists, Lotus Freelance Graphics for control panel diagrams, and Lotus 123 (spreadsheet) for layout wiring documentation and s
I created an Access database to generate car cards and waybills for operations. It allows you to keep some equipment data and it could be modified for more.
A database is better if you want to “mine” the data or if you want drop down boxes to speed data entry and standardize data. A spreadsheet is simpler, but may require more typing.
Dave H.
I have not kept track of everything until now. I am in the process of converting to Micro-Trains couplers and non-pizza cutter wheels and need to keep track of what I have accomplished.
I have MS Access but I am using a program called MobileDB which can transfer to my Palm Pilot and have the information with me at the LHS, shows and flea markets.