I created my own database for Mircosoft Works since it comes free with almost every new computer if you get the home bundle instead of the office bundle.
I have fields for everything imagined. And it’s easy to add more fields. I also made car cards to match which use the address merge feature to insert the car information onto the cards for printing car cards for operation. Also prints out my waybills.
Locomotives and rolling stock share one database. Figures, structures, vehicles, and books/magazines all get their own separate databases. All can be used for insurance.
This is an old picture, the new version also includes fields for the name and address where purchased, Date Sold.
Here's a screenshot of a portion of my Excel-based inventory:
The page seen here is considerably longer than what's visible, and, as you can see at the bottom, there are tabs for other types of items, such as locomotives, passenger equipment, etc. Column width and height are whatever you set them at, and the number of them is unlimited.
Wayne
Lone,
How did you make the car card sheet? Using them would make train operations much more realistic.
~Lee
Great idea w/ the Excel databases and taking them to train shows. Having a handy guide makes sense, but given that I have only 35 freight cars, it's highly unlikely I can find duplicates.
kasskaboose Lone, How did you make the car card sheet? Using them would make train operations much more realistic. ~Lee
The car cards are printed on 3x5 note cards. Then I cut up ziplock baggies into 3x2 pieces and tape the plastic onto the cards to make the pockets for the waybills.
I use a separate database for my industries which send and receive shipments via rail to print the waybills. I use a seven day system so I can have variety and it allows me to have 'seasonal' freight in varying amounts on different days. I use colored paper to represent the different days.
I use a #2 Dixon Ticonderoga pencil and sheets of college ruled notebook paper to list my model railroad rolling stock. The boxcars are sorted alphabetically by reporting marks. All other cars are sorted by type. I have a separate section for cars run on my club layout. All is kept in a 3 ring binder.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I too use Excel (actually Libre Office's version of it). And, like Wayne, I have tabs for each of my rolling inventory types (Locomotives, Boxcars, Gondolas, etc.). Mine is rather basic, I have columns for road name (or reporting marks), road number, description (e. g. 40 ft. single door boxcar), manufacturer and model number. I also have a last column for quantity, so that, when I add more to the list, all I need to do is add up the column so that I know how many locomotives, boxcars, etc. that I have. I am presently quite behind on updating the inventory, as I have acquired many new pieces over the last few years and have been busy spending my limited hobby time working on my layout. I only keep inventory on my rolling stock and motive power at this time, but adding the structures and accessories is only a matter of adding a new worksheet to the existing workbook.
Here's what's in my inventory file - Excel 2013
Manufacturer
Manufacturer#
Brand/Series
Car Type
Road Name
Road#
Car Description
Color
Truck Type
Coupler Type
Weathered
Scale
Bought at
Price
Have fun!
Dan
I also use Easy Model Railroad Inventory. It is free and has more bells and whistles than I will ever use. Not only can you list your equipment, but also your library. I didn't realize I had so much stuff and I am not even finished listing.
Ken
Try Dallas Model works.com. You can inventory your cars and locomotives for free. And it works on a Mac which I use
I made an Excel sheet, first page locomotives, and included manufacturer, model, road name, number, and paint scheme, along with places for what DCC decoder, sound, extra details, maintainance performed and when, price paid, and notes.
Second page is rail cars, including manufacturer, model, type of car, road name initials and number, paint scheme, loaded or not, what load if applicable, extra detailing, price paid, and notes.
Third page is accessories, including buildings, road vehicles, electronics accessories, and railroad specific tools. Includes price paid, manufacturer, type, and detail description of what it is.
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.
Easy Model Railroad Inventory is available to download here. There is a comment pinned to the top with a link.
Bob
Photobucket Albums:NPBL - 2008 The BeginningNPBL - 2009 Phase INPBL - 2010 Downtown
In regard to the original question of Spreadsheet or Software, I would say the answer is neither. A database is the answer. A spreadsheet is just a table that you can fill in. You can also do mathematical formulas like calculate the future value but it isn't very flexible and to move anything you move everything.
The problem with dedicated software is that operating systems change and software becomes out of date and by now I'm sure many of you know that a lot of old software doesn't like to run in new computers.
So building a database is the best answer. That is how businesses track their inventory. Each item is it's own record, or entry. You can sort the items by any field you have created. If you just want to see locomotives you can only show locos. If you only want to see Santa Fe locos you can sort it like that also. Plus you can print sorted lists or use the address merge feature to print car cards.
Database software like Excel or MS Works are always updated and have a history of being backward compatible meaning all of your old databases can always be read by the updated software. So when you get a new computer all your files still work.
p.s. The guy with the paper and binder is the smartest because he will still have his list when the power goes out.
Old thread but, with the Access database from Dave H that I use, I added a "train show inventory" report (there's one in there now - I think, or is it just that I added it in all the way, as in made a menu item for it and all so it looks like part of the program?) that is a simplified list of cars and locos that I can take along to shows as a checklist so I don't buy duplicates. If you have enough equipment to need a spreadsheet or database to keep track of it all, you probably have too much to just remember when you go to shows. Thus far I have all my locos, rolling stock, structures, and DCC equipment logged. I have a copy of it where I set up the industries on my previous layout so I could generate switch lists and car cards, but never did quite get that far.
I did do some design work towards making a mobile version with basically the train show list, so I could just have it on my phone, and even add new purchases and have them synced back in when I got home. Maybe one of these days. I also have a design to integrate the settings from JMRI so I don't have to enter loco roster information twice - Dave's program already has fields for basic stuff like decoder brand and model and address. Plus I just have this thing about using XML text files as a 'database'.
Years back when DOS and Windows 3.1 was all still a thing, I started a simple database for the club I belonged to, that would track some basic info about each loco and car, including who owned it and what color dot they were assigned (everyone had a color, stick a dot on the bottom of anything they owned, with their initials in it), plus it tracked member information and dues payment. Still have a copy floating around, not sure what it would run in these days, maybe that DosBox emulator that is used to play the old DOS games on modern computers.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
[quote user=In regard to the original question of Spreadsheet or Software, I would say the answer is neither. A database is the answer. [/quote]
Software is the user interface to access the database. Both must be well designed so each functions to the utmost.
Lone Wolf and Santa Fep.s. The guy with the paper and binder is the smartest because he will still have his list when the power goes out.
Yeah, but he still won't be able to run trains! :-)