PRR8259Actually, I tend to be more interested in the prototype history of each locomotive than in my particular model history.
Same here. I use the photos of the prototype for weathering, along with it's history. I don't document it, just save a couple of pictures.
Mike.
My You Tube
Actually, I tend to be more interested in the prototype history of each locomotive than in my particular model history.
When I buy a new (model) engine, I often go online to find out what became of the prototype unit? how long it ran? when it was purged from the roster or sold to a second owner? what paint schemes it wore? etc.
I learn and make mental notes regarding the most interesting facts. For example, I recently picked up (model) SP Kodachrome SD45T-2 #9319, and then found out that the real unit was one of the last units still operating in full Kodachrome paint. It was still in service, in weathered unpatched SP Kodachrome paint, for UP, during May, 1998. What I don't know is how long it lasted before being set aside. It was likely never rebuilt as part of the GRIP program or any other rebuild program. (that stuff I'm still looking up). So when a major failure occurred, being a non-rebuilt unit, it would have been done.
John
I'm noticing a lot of folks using Excel as a database to keep track of information. As a former IT person, it is not the best solution. Over the years, I've dealt with a lot of people who used Excel for that purpose, and then screwed up a sort, rendering the data useless because individual files are are not kept together. For anything complex or long term, you will be much better off using an actual database program - open office, Access, or Filemaker. It may take some time to learn, but you will have much better data intergrity.
Whatever works for you, Bearman. As you can see, some are way over the top with documentation, and some, like me, are not.
As long as your having fun, and " doing it your way "
I am amazed at the different ideas that people have on this issue. About a week ago, I went on a weight/coupler binge. Pulled off all my rolling stock and checked on weights and couplers and I realized that if I had kept track of which cars had been modified then I could have saved some time. I have a car roster on Excel but someone on here uses Yard Office. I downloaded it and it appears to be a pretty decent program to keep track of what I want to keep track of. Now, all I have to do is print out the Yard Office roster and see which cars need attention the next time I go on a weight/coupler binge.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
It's all in a broken spine 'Master' notebook held together with rubber bands cut from intertubes, stock number, where purchased, item description, road name, road number, paint color, price and date. In addition, the locos each have an index card with all info. (I use Lenz DCC since 1-15-01). Stock Rolling stock is in the 'Master' book. Rolling stock that has been modified (not counting couplers) has a index card. Small parts are in small plastic drawers in metal cabinets alphabetical by Manufacturer and in numerical order. If I need a part, I open an old Walthers catalog, find the part, pull the number and go to that cabinet or box. Larger parts (frames, bodies, over the road trailers and scrap loads ect.) are in labeled cardboard boxs.
There are not to many parts, detail/repair I need to buy at this time except to replace an item used or low in stock. I have many parts that I know I will never use. As a teenager I had many ideas that never materialized in later life (TrueScale switch machines-NIB, Super Gearing by Ernst mfg. for Athearn BB 4 axel and 6 axel Diesels, metal X2F couplers just to name a few) I now like to model late '60 early'70 northeastern roads.
All parts acquired within the last 18 M/L years, if possible have a date stamp on the package (do you know that after that date stamper is expired there are some cool scrap loads you can make from the rollers?). I still have the empty package/boxs that my locos and rolling stock came in that I just can't get myself to throw out. Many boxs have untouched (by my hands anyway) locos. and rolling stock still in them. I have maybe 90% of all receipts (I did not keep them from my pre-teen years) railroad related stuffed in shoeboxes, that I never want to add up.
Sometimes I think I may need therapy. Hello, my name is PC101 and I'm a Model Railroader. I just got a computer maybe 6-7years ago so it's all still going on paper. I will check out the sites listed above for inventory (thanks guys).
If you looked under my layouts, yes I've had more then a few over the years, you would find dates as I progress on the bench work, wiring and the likes.
If you had done inventory (stock, parts, procedures) from the start it only took seconds back then at the time and when needed that infomation is at your finger tips now.
An interesting thread as there are many ideas shared.
My documentation approach, including what I could do better for my benefit:
- I have 30 or so DCC locos, most if which I have converted from DC finds. I have a manila folder for each, including notes on CV settings. While I have DecoderPro & LokProgrammer available, I use them for changes but do not go to the effort (yet) of using those to save a modified file with my tweaked variables.
- Documentation includes photos, and I do wish I had not only better notes on my locos' DCC conversions, but also interior photos for each so I could better recall what I had done inside. I'm not even sure how many speakers I put in some locos.
- I also have a "Trains - Current" manila folder at my desk that includes: what I want to order next time, where some odd off-layout things are located, a To Do list (that seems to get longer) of things to address (mainly loco malfunctions that need attention but are delayed due to having fun with something new)
- I have thought of a rolling stock inventory but not bothered. When I look at my freight cars I do not know off hand which brand they are, which type metal wheelsets I added, etc.
I tend towards being pretty well organized, but imagine I am just middle of the pack for this group.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
snjroyI have recently started to box things together - I have a Mantua box, Bachmann box, etc.
I have the parts sorted by type, not manufacturer. The larger bits are in BB boxes and the smaller parts are in small plastic boxes either with adjustable dividers or individual lids for each compartment. The plastic boxes with one single lid for all the compartments are good for detail parts like horns and bells because I can see everything at once. The boxes with the individual lids on each compartment are great for screws, nuts and washers etc. I label the top of each compartment with the size of screw etc so it's easy to go straight to the size I want.
I use several multi drawer plastic storage units to keep all the containers in. The individual drawers are dedicated to various categories. I can usually go straight to the proper drawer, but not always. Some things like scratch building supplies take up three or four drawers. Some of the drawers are deeper than others which works out nicely for the bigger bits like turnouts. All the drawers in all five units are full to the top and the excess is almost totally filling my workbench! I need more units but I have no space left in the workshop to put them. Guess they will be going into the garage.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I have a book for recording paint colour mixing formulae, locomotive maintenance, repairs, dis-assembly, and modifications, tonnage ratings for locomotives, standard paint and lettering practices for my freelanced roads' equipment, and standard lineside sign formats.
I also keep methods and measurements for building standard lineside structures owned by the railroad, and diagrams and written explanations of certain often-used construction practices, such as that for converting Athearn and Rivarossi heavyweight passenger cars into "wooden" headend cars.
Also technical types of information, regarding drill sizes for particular items or jobs, grade/curve compensation calculations, volume/weight relationships for tender capacities and various types of loads, speed calculations, re-weigh data requirements, along with lots of tips and tricks learned or picked-up from others through the years.
I have, on disc, and on my computer, an all-time roster of my freelanced home road freight and passenger equipment, and all locomotives ever lettered for them - that's mainly to insure that I don't use a car or locomotive number already in use by either myself or someone to whom I've sold equipment. It's done in Excel, with basic information about each item: description, it's status (in-use or sold), plus a value (too low, I've been told by several friends) for re-sale upon my demise.Also included are all interchange cars and locos currently in use on the layout. If any are sold or given away, they're removed from the list, and new ones are added as they're acquired. Each freight and MoW car has a specific box (some boxes contain 2 or four similar cars) many with notes related to the lettering used, as all locomotives and most rolling stock is not factory painted.
I also keep a written list of GERN modellers, and their e-mail addresses so that I can send them the latest on GERN product releases and advertising.
Like Dave, I have a fair-size collection of parts and a fairly-good idea of where they are, and likewise for tools (except when any of them are in use, on one of the various work benches, and I can't see them for the clutter.)
Wayne
hon30critter snjroy I have been thinking about this thread and it struck me this morning that what I would really use is a system to organize and list my spare parts. Has anyone done that? Simon My spare parts are organized (sort of) and I know where to look when I want one, but to list them?!? Doing that would create far more work than it would be worth AFAIC. Besides, if I forget what I have in stock it is always a great surprise to discover the things that I forgot I had! That's one of the pleasures of growing old! Senility has its benefits!! Sorry Simon, I couldn't resist taking a shot at my aging memory! No disrespect intended. Cheers!! Dave
snjroy I have been thinking about this thread and it struck me this morning that what I would really use is a system to organize and list my spare parts. Has anyone done that? Simon
My spare parts are organized (sort of) and I know where to look when I want one, but to list them?!? Doing that would create far more work than it would be worth AFAIC. Besides, if I forget what I have in stock it is always a great surprise to discover the things that I forgot I had! That's one of the pleasures of growing old! Senility has its benefits!!
Sorry Simon, I couldn't resist taking a shot at my aging memory! No disrespect intended.
Cheers!!
No offense taken Dave, I use the same approach! I have recently started to box things together - I have a Mantua box, Bachmann box, etc. Maybe I should just attach little labels with a string on the most important pieces, like motors with a worm attached. I also have spare locomotives in their boxes that I keep for parts. But I'm sure I will forget about these sooner or later. Anyway, I was just curious.
Simon
Since at times I have changed my mind and then changed out entire rosters, I just don't bother documenting the history of the locos on my layout. Knowing what year I bought them is usually good enough for me. I have run engines until they've worn out, just none lately have. You really gotta put a lot of mileage on these engines today to get to any kind of serious mechanical issues, imo.
Right now my son and I have 13 diesels between us, and all of them save one happen to be new in the last couple months (traded away/replaced others). These I'm planning to keep. They were also, generally, much more affordable than previous power as only one unit at all has sound/dcc. It was ordered by mistake instead of plain dc version.
The engines from my childhood--from the first 10 years or so of my being a "model railroader"--I can remember them all, what holiday or special occasion I received them for, and in what year I received them. They were pretty well used up, and only one Mantua trolley survives. I still have it and it runs just fine, after approximately 44 years of age.
The other engines were mostly more toys than models. They accumulated a lot of miles on them, but are better remembered in my mind the way they were than the replacement items I could still pick up at train shows, that seemingly have "inferior" factory paint jobs to how I remembered most of mine looking.
Those were good years and I do have very fond memories of all the Mantua, earlier Athearn (but after the rubber band drive), Model Power can motored shark, and even one Tyco diesel. I had the Athearn "Santa Fe" pinstripe blue and yellow scheme U30B until I found out that Santa Fe never owned them, and traded it away.
In hindsight, I sorta wish I had that one back. It would be a conversation piece.
Guess you could say there wasn't a diesel I haven't liked or owned from NW-2's and SW-1500's to the DDA40X.
gmpullmanI recently set out to sort and file my decal collection.
.
Ed,
I sorted and catalogued my decal collection in 3 by 5 glassine envelopes. I put an index card in each one and typed the decal information on the card. I sorted the decals into these six metal file drawers.
All I found out, was that I have enough decals for five to ten lifetimes.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Yes, but no.
I have a Excell spreadsheet for loco's, where I track make, any mods, and what type of decoder is installed. I also track approxaimate price. (Loco and decoder prices, combined and rounded to nearest dollar amount. No need to be exact here.)
I keep a seperate sheet for rolling stock, which is roadname, number, type and manufacturer, as well as MSRP.
A 3rd sheet tracks all major parts and pieces, like DCC system, throttles, and major components as well as MSRP.
I have not updated for a while though, so my newest items are not included...
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I use to use OpenOffice for Microsoft and Linux for some years. Free download.
I now use LibreOffice for both systems, also free download.
Both very good Office software.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
SeeYou190 I keep an extremely accurate listing in Excel. I did not keep track of the price paid. -Kevin
I keep an extremely accurate listing in Excel.
I did not keep track of the price paid.
That's an excellent strategy... after all, your wife might find it!
Jim
I created an MS Access database app to inventory my rolling stock in order to make car cards and waybills for my layout. The full blown version has the ability to inventory and document a lot of stuff. I don't actually document as much as I should or could.
I don't inventory unbuilt kits or parts, but I do try to organize them, I have a bunch of those little plastic "drawer" systems that I stor parts in and I have labeled the drawers to be able to find stuff. I built a rack that fits in a desk drawer to organize plastic and wood strips (2x, 4x, 6x, .020x, .040x, .080x, rod, etc)
My Access databases are available here on my website:
https://wnbranch.com/home/operations/operations-car-forwarding/
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Bear,Iuse to keep a tally book on the models I owned but,gave up on that after that book was lost in the Bucyrus flood of '07.
I sold my 95 era cars and locomotives save for the OC GP7,C&O RS-1,SCR SW8 and the Summerset SW1500.
As of now I have 2 40' boxcars,1 40' Santa Fe reefer and a United Models Santa Fe 1950 Class 2-8-0. All of the cars are Accurail kits awaitig me to build them..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I have an awful time trying to get "organized". I have dozens of various drawer and container bins and I get part-way through sorting, labeling and filing then I see a pretty color, or hear a train go by and get all distracted.
I recently set out to sort and file my decal collection. One helpful aid I found were these reasonably priced accordion hanging file folders.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075SFNS5X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The pockets have no gaps so if an errant little decal piece slips out of the envelope it stays in the pocket. I have a hanging file drawer so these tuck right in them when not needed.
Regards, Ed
I haven't documented anything, porbably never will, but I know where I keep parts. I have 3 tackle boxes full of small detail parts, and a Tubberware style small chest of drawers I keep all locomotive parts.
snjroyI have been thinking about this thread and it struck me this morning that what I would really use is a system to organize and list my spare parts. Has anyone done that? Simon
I have been thinking about this thread and it struck me this morning that what I would really use is a system to organize and list my spare parts. Has anyone done that?
Back in 1987 when I got my first Mac, I got Microsoft Works for it. Very useful back then.
I still have files that I first created with it in the late 80's/early 90's, although I've migrated the original data into new formats for modern Mac apps.
My loco collection isn't large (13 engines). I have a small spreadsheet I created with manufacturer, model, RR, engine #, decoder mfr., decoder model #, cost.
Comes in handy when I wonder, "what kind of decoder did I put in that one, anyway?"
Aside: Using the "SheepShaver" emulator, I can still run that old copy of MS Works even though it's in old code that won't run under the Mac OS any more!
I don't keep any records of engines or rolling stock. I like to run my trains. I fix them when they break and clean them when needed.
I started to keep records of CV settings but a computer crash wiped all that out. No backups so it's my fault. If a DCC decoder fails, it gets replaced with a RailPro decoder; no CVs to keep track of.
bearman How many folks can document the history of their locomotives and rolling stock? Items like, date purchased, purchase price, manufacturer, coupler provider, when weight was added, etc. I finally figured out that it was a mistake not keeping records like these from the very beginning.
How many folks can document the history of their locomotives and rolling stock? Items like, date purchased, purchase price, manufacturer, coupler provider, when weight was added, etc. I finally figured out that it was a mistake not keeping records like these from the very beginning.
Well, I do have some records on my kit basehed locos, and I started a list of rolling stock, maybe after the new layout is running I will finish updating it.
But I have no real records on purchase dates or exact amounts.
In fact my roster is more focused on prototype information, although it does list brand name.
Couplers? Since there is only one brand, no need to record that............
Sheldon
I do a couple of other things besides using the Yard Office program.
I keep a recipe card in each locomotive box with the decoder details like brand and which CVs I have changed. The information is right there every time I open the box.
For freight cars and passenger cars I have a very simple system. Once a car is tuned to the NMRA suggested practises for weight and coupler height, and I have replaced the wheels with Intermountain sets, adjusted the trucks for proper pivoting and replaced any plastic couplers with Kadees, I just put a tiny dot of red paint on the bottom of the car. If the car has a dot it's good to go. No dot, it needs work.
I've got a spreadsheet for my rolling stock. I don't keep track of dates or weights but I do note type of wheels, couplers, and whether it's tuned and weathered.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
I have spreadsheets for decoder settings and to track road numbers for rolling stock. Dates and costs don't matter to me.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I made database files with Mircosoft Works which is the home bundle version of Office. I keep track of locomotives and rolling stock, figures (people and animals), automobiles, structures, and more. I use it to not only to keep track of all of my items but I also use it to print car cards and way bills. I started it back in the 1990s on a PC which ran Win95. I wish I would have kept track earlier. I don’t remember how much I paid for items before then and looking at receipts doesn’t help because too many of them just say the price or if there is a description it just says hobby. It is actually really easy to keep it up to date. I waste far more time on eBay or on this website than I do entering the database information. When I buy an item I check it into the inventory system as soon as the item arrives in the mail. If I sell an item then I know if I made or lost money on it. I’ve never lost money on any yet. Where it really comes in handy besides printing car cards is knowing which exact after market couplers or details I have installed. It can be used for insurance claims and when I’m gone it will make it easier on family to sell my stuff.
Kind of. I write the price and date of locomotive purchaces on their boxes when I remember to. All couplers on engines get changed to Kadee whiskers, no doc's needed. I dont doccument maintenance, but I do so on progress on modified, scratchbuilt or any other real involved loco projects.
Freight cars get a little silver dot under the coupler box to indicate whisker couplers. All others are #5, unless obvious.
I have a piece of paper on a clip board that I jot down what progress is made on the layout. It helps me realize how much really gets done when I look it over, cuz sometimes it seems progress is so slow. Dan