Does anyone keep track???

[kpolak]

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?

Thanks,

Kurt

[Sturgeon-Phish]

I don't.  It would be too shocking

I should at least write down my roster.

Jim 

[MikeSanta]

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.

[lionelsoni]

I do.  I've got piles of it....;-)

[Roger Bielen]

I have an Excel spread sheet with date purchased, list price and price paid.

[darsenau]

 

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 .

 

 

 

 

Don A. 

 

[Anonymous]

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".

[Anonymous]

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...? :)

[Anonymous]

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.

[cnw1995]

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.

[Pennvalley]

I use Excel also, I only list the engines - by price & date bought.

I try not to look at the bottom line.

[Anonymous]

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...? :)

 

DaylightFan-  My wife is the software guru...She will look at it and see if we can email you a copy!! 

She said she thinks we can do it!!

[Anonymous]

DaylightFan- I need your e-mail to try this....

You can contact me through my websites at the bottom.

[Anonymous]

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

[c50truck]

Kurt,

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.

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.

Rod L.

 

 

[Anonymous]

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.

[traindaddy1]

Yes.  Description -- $ item -- $ s&h -- $ total -- source -- disposition ($ if sold) -- Comments

(Old fashion way -- no computer, just pencil and paper)  Thanks for asking.