:helpneededsign:
Having started the hobby a couple of months back I am starting to accumulate a lot of items as I continue to build my layout. So much so that I am losing track a bit of what I have purchased. Does anyone know of a free model railway database software that I could download to keep an inventory of those items?
I use the 'Model Train Catalogue'
Ian.
I use 'Stecotec Model Railroad Collector Pro' which isn't free. But you're doing right in sorting this out now Greg. After two decades of collecting models, I've only this year begun entering items into the database. :-[
I've used Microsoft Access for years (and before that, Ms Excel) for my European N collection.
Each item is plonked on a scanner for a small photo, and is is logged with a unique number and some details and price paid. I have sheets of small id number labels which I created in Excel back in the 80s, each model gets one cut out and stuck underneath.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/73/5885-030219175903.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=73794)
I use MS Excel to at least try and keep track of things !
Different tabs for locos, coaches, wagons, etc....
Pretty simple & works for me.
Mine as per Chuffington above. Poor memory made me add a tab for road vehicles as I have a habit of forgetting what I do have and repeat buying :doh: :-[
I am another Excel fan. :thumbsup: (Not sure what my excuse is for repeat buying though, but I do have a lot of Royal Mail carriages!) :-[)
Technology side of things like that fail me :dunce: im definitely a slate and nail type, so very analogue in my approach.
All items boxes on shelves. Anything assigned to a particular train is put in the formation of the rake, and labelled.
Anything we own not yet assigned sits in numerical order in a stack.
This works for coaches and wagons.
Locomotives are set in stacks of class, laid on the shelf in the same way they appear on the allocation sheet next to the controller.
All kit builds are in foam trays in the formation they run in.
IF they duplicate it's not the end of the world, a quick renumber or a lot more weathering over the number.
I know pretty much what we have and definitely know what we need. Dad on the other hand will be blown away by the amount of stuff sat here! And it's meant to be his layout!!!
Checking the metadata it took me about 6 months between my first N gauge purchase and setting up a spreadsheet to manage the addiction.
another Excel use here, I made a 10 drawer cabinet to store the stock in and the excel spreadsheet helps me keep track of what I have, which drawer it is in, and in the case of powered stock if it has been "chipped" and the address.
I also used to put the value in, but then got scared SWMBO might see the total so took that column out.
cheers
Graham
Quote from: Farmer chap on February 03, 2019, 04:05:43 PM
I use the 'Model Train Catalogue'
Ian.
Model Train catalogue for me as well. Comprehensive, Easy to use and inexpensive to buy.
:beers:
I use Excel and a separate folder containing photos of each item.
Couple more things:
1) It's worth taking the photo as soon as you get the item, the logging it asap. This saves you getting behind.
2) Backup! As a general point with all computer data, save the file in a separate (as in physically separate) location. I recently invested in a new portable hard drive. The cost of these has fallen considerable in recent years and they are a good investment.
Skyline2uk
I use Apple's 'Numbers' spreadsheet, listing everything by date purchased, with all details including a short description. Any extraneous details gets added as cell 'comments'.
I put in a lot of pricing info: Price paid; list price at time of purchase; currency conversion rate if bought in other than £'s; Postage charges, if incurred.
Where an item is no longer made, the List price will be the last known that I can find at either the manufacturers website, or another online source.
I have a calculated field to indicate my possible 'saving' (or not!) from list price. This is only a rough figure of course as some items are sold below list as a matter of course from the outset, and sometimes a rare item commands a premium above th eoriginal list price.
The spreadsheet includes, using different sections, a record of everything I buy or receive that relate to my hobby.
The purposes of my detailed listing are: a simple financial record, reminder and inventory; an aid for insurance purposes; and a useful start for my heirs when they get rid of it all when I leave for my final destination!
I would advise anybody to keep a record of stock as an invaluable aid in an insurance situation, but keep in mind that the costs of this hobby, once written down in black and white (other colours are available) can be frightening! :o
If you are of a delicate disposition, or have a close relative or partner you might like to protect ;) , perhaps it's best not to know! :D
:thankyousign:
Thank you everybody for your recommendations. I have a lot to look through and make a choice.
Thanks again. :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: for excel as well, I have Tabs for Locos, Carriages, Wagons, Vehicles in addition I have another Loco tab for CV's
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/73/5581-040219101234.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=73807)
Quote from: Fardap on February 04, 2019, 10:00:00 AM
in addition I have another Loco tab for CV's
I've binned their CVs as, as far as I'm concerned, they've already got the job.
Oh - you mean that sort of CV. Sorry, I'm a DC chappie :-[