I’m one of the unfortunate users of Train Minder software. It worked well and I really like it but the author(s) and company seem to have disappeared. The program also runs slowly now and I’m concerned I may lose the data already in it.
Over the past several days I’ve been looking at available programs in addition to an Excel Spreadsheet or Access Database. Right now, Yard Office looks good but I’ve also scratched the surface on a spreadsheet and database options. MITrains also seems good but also a bit expensive.
Anyone have suggestions about the packaged software out there? If would be nice to have some other opinions and experiences.
I also use Train Minder. The authors have left us hanging. They have not shown up at York in over 3+ years. Train Minder has most of the features I desired with the exception of being able to create ‘reports’. By reports I mean to organize and print out a specific section of the main database. I collect O-Gauge Modern, Prewar, Standard Gauge and OO gauge. You can not get the database to display and print out a specific selection with desired fields in it. want to formulate ‘Reports’ for O-Gauge, O-Gauge Modern, Prewar and OO Gauge. This should be possible from any relational database, but have been trying to get their attention to solve this problem for several years. I have not found a suitable database where I can import my Train Minder data. If anyone does, I would like to know what it is and how to access it. My database experience is with d-Base and Microsoft Access. Prior to Train Minder I developed a relational data base using Access but did not have enough data base smarts to get it to do what I wanted. If someone could get into the ‘guts’ of Train Minder and program it, let me know. bruce
It appears to me that you cannot get the data out of Train Minder in any useful transferrable form by design. I’ve been experimenting with this for several days and the best I can get is a text file simulating a report that has only a fraction of the data on any one item.
Worse, there is a option to write out a ‘text’ file that should be different that the text file simulating a report. Every time I do that the file is blank. I may be premature but they probably wanted to lock us into Train Minder with no capability to use other programs at all.
Most of the things I look at have an option to write out a file (CSV or something like that) that you can them import into Excel, Access, or something else that has the capability.
I’ve written a couple small Access databases to handle conference registrations and I’ve been able to construct reports that do the kind of things you talk about above. Excel works but building a relational database in a spreadsheet is harder and formulating and printing reports is much harder.
It’s too bad we have to go through this. Unless I can figure out another way to get ALL the data out I will have to re-enter each item in my collection.
So far Yard Office seems to be the most versatile and is very reasonable priced.
I’m using the free on-line version of MI Trains. It does output reports as a PDF. It is possible to convert to text from there an import into an excel workbook. On the downside you cannot upload your own pictures into it and you are limited to the canned reports it offers.However the price is right for a small collection and it links the current auction values of your items in for a value report.
The paid version of MI Trains was built on a sql dB that can be transferred to excel.
You could build your own excel spreadsheet if you needed to but it’s worth it to pay for the software as long as it has an export/import tool you can use.
I think you’re correct. I don’t mind paying a reasonable fee or even paying to update once in a while if the program does what I want and saves me time and effort.
The ability to export to CSV or other text files is very important as well as stability.
I use Access. I made up a form for data entry as well as a form for a report. I’ve been linking bmp files to it to supply photos I take. The big downside with this is that the bmp files take up a ton of room since I would rather embed them into the database rather than link them so I don’t lose the photos. Right now it’s about 160 meg.
It works out well, but took forever to get the forms put together the way I wanted them.
I use a homemade excel spreadsheet that covers what I want just fine. I have the information “I” want and also have inserted jpg pictures in case I need them for insurance reasons. I have the jpg files attached in the description column cell and have then reduced to 4% so they fit. Just click on them and they will open up. I have back ups of the file and it did not take that long to create and build out. Only thing, for me is it grew with my collection. To transfer all that to a new format may be a pain.
I’ve been using Yard Office for a couple of years now. Inexpensive, yes, but has all the features I needed. I’ve prepared custom reports for information I need, and can print a summary for my insurance company every year. Input was a chore, but once done, has been easy to update - values, maintenance, new pictures of completed restorations, etc. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I, like others, previously used TrainTracker/Trainminder software to maintain my train collection inventory. A few months ago my laptop hard drive crashed and I lost the ability to use Trainminder and it appears the company no longer supports the software. Luckily I still have a .pdf copy of the report that is somewhat helpful, but that does not allow me to make changes/additions to my data and I won’t be able to export my data to another inventory software. I’ve been looking for something to replace TT/TM and found your reference to MI Trains. I tried registering as a user but keep getting an error message. Are you still using MI Trains, and is the software still available and up to date and supported? I don’t want to get into another situation where I’m unable to maintain an accurate inventory of my collection.
Here are the emails that I have sent and received today along with the original update email from March 2013. Just got back into O Gauge this December and wanted to update my inventory.
The free cloud version of MItrains appears to have been taken down. I can get into it and view my inventory but the software no longer allows me to add or change items.
You seem to have a contact there. I will ask if they plan on turning it up again.
In the future i would avoid any software that does not allow you to run a csv or similar report so you can transfer they data to another program.
