Last year (or was it earlier this year? - whatever) I made an online Car Card Generator that anybody could use to create car cards for car card & waybill operations.
It’s pretty cool but it ain’t nuttin’ like the beast I just created!
For years, I’ve kept track of my model trains in an Access database on my computer.
Of course, when I was out and about – at a train show, for instance – it didn’t help that the database that could tell me what I already did and didn’t own was on a computer at home!
What I really needed was for it to be online.
So I set about doing just that and wound up creating a whole lot more.
The result is a bunch of tools and utilites for model railroading that I call My Railroad.
I could babble on an on about all the stuff it does (including an Advanced Car Card Generator) but it’s easier to just check it out:
Now I just need to collect all the information to make it work… awesome work. Once the exchange rate improves I will be sure to thank you more appropriately.
This is what we need, retailers who knows how to use the Internet rather then just using it as a list of items. This is superb. I’m gonna start working on my things on your site as soon as I get the time. I especially like the car generator for industries. That is a great idea. Makes it much more fun to operate.
Craig, I started using your card card generator a year ago and love it. I photographed every piece of rolling stock I owned on a white background and printed them out using your tool. Now when the guys are running operations there’s no guessing if they are switching the right car, the picture is right on the card. Now I just have to start using your inventory tool!
Thanks for your fine efforts in making the hobby that much better!
which is my page, which is not open to public view yet 'cause I haven’t added enough stuff to it!
Just add a different number at the end of the URL to see what comes up.
In a few days, I will add a “web ring”-like link at the bottom of the public pages so that one can take a “virtual layout tour” so to speak. I will also be adding a page that lets Google et al easily index the public pages.
The public page also lets you email the link to friends.
And of course, you can add it to you email and forum signatures and stuff.
You got THAT right! I don’t see how some shops get by with just a store home page that lists the manufacturers they carry but no ability to shop online.
What a wonderful concept. Once I get my railroad empire started I will certainly be using this. I was just going to enter the railroads name but didn’t think it would be accepted without all the other info. Just went back to the site and filled in the basics. Very cool!!!
I have found Dallas Model Works to be a very user friendly company. I have sent them a couple of e-mail questions and have received prompt answers both times.
Craig and Dallas model works great. Besides my BLI purchases which goes through Joe at FDT Craig is officially my new pusher. A very friendly person to have as a dealer and is also very good at finding out info for me when I ask, rather then just telling me to find the info some where else like some retailers do.
I really really recommend Dallas Model works as a store and Craig as a person.
Someone questioned that our info is available on your server Craig, For me atleast, I wouldn’t mind ticking a box that made that info available for you if is some how made it easier to manage your shop. I sure know that nothing in my loco rooster is something to be ashamed over.
The only thing that concerns me is what if “Dallas Model Works” becomes another victim of the economy and pulls the plug. All my data is gone? OR what if you guys decide, hey this is getting outta hand and we’re going to have to charge them for our server space. I like the idea of keeping a data base on my computer where I know my information is safe, unless of course I forget to back it up and lose it [^]
I think I downloaded your previous car card waybill system on my computer, I just haven’t had the time to use it yet. And yes I think it looks great.
“edit” my bad, it was someone else’s car card system I downloaded using microsoft excel. I see now that we enter info on your site and just print, so there isn’t a data base of any sort anyway with the previous version.
Hmm - that is a problem that would be fairly simple to fix.
Craig - a suggestion - why not add a link to let users get the data they have entered (industries, engines, rolling stock, car request data etc) as comma separated text on a plain web page they can save locally - that way the users can feel confident that they have a backup of their data, and they could also potensially migrate it to other systems - given that they are willing to massage the data into some format they could import into the other system.
I tried to enter a bit of my railroad on the site - looks good. Only thing I found that wasn’t working properly was the Generate Industry Car Request web page (http://www.dallasmodelworks.com/interchange/myindcarreqinput.asp) - that just dumps me back to the main “My Layout” web page again.
Define industries and trying to come up with the “location 1” and “location 2” made me realize that I needed to make a CLIC (Car Location Inventory Control) diagram for my layout, so I could name tracks more accurately.
This is what I came up with:
Thanks for finally giving me the necessary kick to do the CLIC thing.
Something like CLIC, whether a numeric or narrative system, is important for any car forwarding system.
Stein, do the multiple numbers on a particular track pertain to the number of spots are cary might be located or the car capacity? For instance, if there are two cars to be moved to 5203, spotting one of them at 5202 won’t do even if they are along the same industry. Are the different loading/unloading locations for the same industry all unique? If not all, how do you distinguish between those spots that are versus those that aren’t?
In the meantime, I’ll look into the path you were directed on. Thanks for the heads up.
As for your data going away – I originally created these tools for myself and just decided to let everybody else in on the fun.
So on that day when Warren Buffet shows up and offers $1000000000 to merge Dallas Model Works with Microsoft and Playboy, you can bet My Railroad will still be around ’ cause I’ll still need it!
We will, however, also look into making the data exportable into CSV or other format.
We have a number of other ideas for My Railroad in the hopper so we’re open to other suggestions as well.
One more thing: My Railroad is free and will ALWAYS be free. To suddenly start charging would be just plain cheesy!
