Does anyone have a good system for keeping stock in check. I like to keep all the boxes for coaches and wagons etc, locos are not a problem. I thought of putting numbers underneath coaches etc so I know what goes in which box. I bought a couple of s/h coaches that were numbered like that, but has anybody got a better system.
A spreadsheet chris . From left to right: model manufacturer. Model number on the box . Number of loco. Number if coach or wagon. Date released. How many have you got ? So for example @lil chris (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1784) .... steam loco no 1. Released by farish. Number on box. Number printed on the loco . Number of items. Brainfart here. I think need excel spreadsheet
Thanks Chris @crewearpley40 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3894) I am not very good with spreadsheets, plus I don't think I have excel anyway,Microsoft stopped giving things like that away ages ago. Maybe there is a free one somewhere I can use, or just write it down myself in a list.
Chris. I just spent a couple of hours and making noted in a block of a4 pad using those headings as I'm not au fait with computers
Download Libre Office - it's free. If you are feeling flush you could make a small donation to them.
I use Model Train Catalogue software for a database of all my stock. It is very reasonably priced.
Colin
Sounds like a couple of issues there:
1) tracking actual stock items
2) keeping track of what goes in which box
For the former l also have a spreadsheet. I use Google Sheets, which is free, and means I can easily update it on any device (such as my phone). Trouble is that it's presently out of date, but I can't remember how much by, so I kinda need to get everything out to work out what's missing! Definitely some 66s and some container flats not on there.
For the latter then yes stickers or writing numbers seems to make sense. I freely admit on wagons where I've got a long rake with a few running numbers I make zero effort to keep the correct ones in its box, so some sort of numbering or colour coding would help that.
MS Access database with each item logged with a photo (well a low resolution scan), a unique id which matches a tiny label stuck to the underside, and various details such as make and model, price paid and when etc.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/5885-081120195642.jpeg)
All locos live in their original boxes where possible, I slip a label with the id number and photo in the side of the box so they are easy to find when stored upright in transport cases. Rolling stock mostly lives in custom made stock boxes, so at some point I tend to revisit their original boxes where they exist and add a paper slip with info similar to the locos. That'll be a huge job though, I've got black sacks full of empty boxes stored away in the garage rafters!
micro$oft used to include the ideal tool,cardfile but as usual with anything remotely useful its no more.
QuoteMS Access database
Indeed a database is the correct tool for the job,however the learning curve can be a bit steep.If you want free the libre office version is called base
Quote from: themadhippy on November 08, 2020, 08:17:45 PM
Indeed a database is the correct tool for the job, however the learning curve can be a bit steep.
Before I moved my inventory to Access it lived in an Excel spreadsheet with much the same info including the scanned image.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, nejee20 hit the nail on the head with 2) that is what I want. I did start to right things in a book but I have kind of got behind. I made a log of the loco's but did it on a verticle page and left myself short of room, I re did that last night the landscape way using two pages and making the boxes bigger. The only thing I am worried about sticking labels on is if they fall off which they have a habit of doing under the baseboards. Thanks Nick that ms Acess system you have looks brilliant but probably behond me. I am also reluctant to have prices anywhere, swmbo might realise how much I spend on this railway...lol. I have OpenOffice, not sure if there is a spreadsheet on that but thanks everyone for the suggestions. Keep Safe everybody.
OpenOffice's spreadsheet app is called Calc if I remember correctly. We tried a few of the alternative office suites at work for a while but settled back on Office 365 for best compatibility with other software packages we use.
I have no problems with the labels falling off the underside of stock. I use a tiny string of Revell Contacta adhesive. I stopped using superglue years ago as that did tend to go off over time.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/5885-081120210616.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=101683)
QuoteI have OpenOffice, not sure if there is a spreadsheet on that
it should be there,its called calc
Just found a spreadsheet on Openoffice so I may try that has well has labeling. Thanks to Buffin for the tip.
I use an Excel spreadsheet with columns for the info I want/need. It's easy to know which loco goes in which box but not necessarily the same of coaches and wagons so I now add into the sheet all their running numbers. It also helps me avoid buying more due to brain farts unless I want to buy more :-[ I've also added in filters for livery so I can see my coaches by e.g. maroon, green, choc & cream etc. I added a column recently to show where the nearest shed is for a particular type of loco so I can justify one being on my location :D
I also use MS Excel to keep a running account of my stock, (trouble is, I fell a few hurdles back, so some work to catch up on!). I use a small label with the relevant stock number stuck to the underside of the box and, where possible, I write my stock number underneath the piece of rolling stock with a very fine paint pen.
Another vote for Excel, as well as model, manufacturer and value I also record the decoder type and address for loco's and dummy units where applicable, and whether the loco has a stay alive or any other mods such as detailing fitted.
I'm another spread sheet user. I have individual pages/tabs for locos, multiple units, coaches and wagons.
Each page has some common headers - manufacturer, catalogue number, RTR/Kit, livery. The loco page also includes columns for running number and DCC decoder type & address. The carriages page includes coach type (BSK, BG etc). Both the coaches and wagons lists have a column for the train the stock is allocated to.
Trains are then stored in stock boxes (sometimes several per box) and the empty boxes stored with a paper label indicating the train they've been allocated to. Boxes from the same train are then also stored together.
Steven B.
Excel is my friend too.
I'm not a DCC user and this is more for insurance purposes (and to remind me that I don't need that model I have an eye on).
However, I can see how DCC data would also be useful.
You need to magnify these snips to see the full spreadsheet detail.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/1517-091120104347.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=101700)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/1517-091120104405.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=101701)
My file has separate tabs for Locos, Coaches, Wagons and Road Vehicles with different headings for each. I do find the livery and running numbers helpful in building rakes, putting stuff back in the right box and maybe helping out with enquiries so this tab in particular is filtered. There are also columns for W = weathered and Blue Riband where applicable
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/264-091120110816-101698260.png)
I immediately wanted to scroll down through your spreadsheet :)
I organise mine into rakes of coaches too: for example
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/1517-091120115328.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=101705)
Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist :D
Following all the Dapol I have all the Farish and the various NGS collaborations, but I'm running 4 different regions on the one layout. That's probably why the values are not shown as it would just scare the :poop: out of me. More than one person has said I have more stock than many retailers.
What the hell - Help 4 Heroes will see the benefit when I shuffle off this mortal coil :)
Quote from: Newportnobby on November 09, 2020, 12:04:34 PM
Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist :D
I have more stock than many retailers.
I'm actually a Geochemist specialising in waste management. My gran thought I was an alchemist.
I'm using my stock as a buffer against pension pot fluctuations :laugh3:
As others have said, a spreadsheet - I also use Excel.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/3603-091120123422-101702972.jpeg)
This is then supported by a set of digital photos, stored (like the spreadsheet) on Dropbox so accessible when not at home, showing the stock in the relevant box.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/3603-091120123445-1017082415.jpeg)
I too use a spreadsheet, which looks pretty much like all the others shown.
As for associating items with storage, simlar to @GScaleBruce (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3603) I keep coaches which come in space-inefficient [1]/PITA to get stock out of/stock damaging boxes [2] in a "consolidated storage solution", in my case a variety of Japanese "bookcases" which are available cheaply hereabouts and can hold up to 10 coaches:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4806/31222473717_cb2b17bcb4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Pz2kEn)
MicroAce 10 car case B-1140 (https://flic.kr/p/Pz2kEn) by Rail Squid (https://www.flickr.com/photos/railsquid/), on Flickr
and labelled with something descriptive (in this case it would be something like "BR livery Collet/Gresley", though just to confuse things there's a maroon WR autocoach in there as well). Much more efficient use of space, and it's much easier to get them out and put them back.
[1] Farish, Dapol and Tomix coach cases are particularly bulky
[2] I was bemused to find small dark smears on the sides of an otherwise pristine "Blue Riband" Farish Mk1, turned out the coach side was brushing up against the thickly-printed batch date on the underside of the cardboard flap
Quote from: lil chris on November 08, 2020, 09:02:03 PM
I am also reluctant to have prices anywhere, swmbo might realise how much I spend on this railway...lol.
Set a password on the file to stop it being opened :D
Thanks for your pics of your files, I should be able to get some ideas from these.
Another vote for a spreadsheet here. I also have separate tabs for locos, coaches, wagons etc and with filters for quick referencing. Also there's a hyperlink to each photo of each item again for quick referencing. I store my rolling stock in foam lined drawers and store the boxes in plastic storage boxes. If I ever need to find a box I look in column 'I' and it will tell me where that stock box is. Finally I have a summary tab at the front which has some scary numbers on it. Don't show the wife! :goggleeyes:
@lil chris (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1784) if you want a blank copy of this I'm happy to clear mine and send it to you as a starter which you can then customise to your heart's content.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/101/262-101120011451-101738242.jpeg)
EDIT: Picture changed as there was maybe a little too much financial detail on the last one :-[
Quote from: Newportnobby on November 09, 2020, 12:04:34 PM
Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist :D
Hugh Laurie wasn't in Blackadder 2.
You're thinking of Tim McInerinerinerinery :D
John P
Quote from: jpendle on November 10, 2020, 05:22:44 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on November 09, 2020, 12:04:34 PM
Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist :D
Hugh Laurie wasn't in Blackadder 2.
You're thinking of Tim McInerinerinerinery :D
John P
Agreed, the quote is Tim's character. But, with my pedant hat on, Hugh Laurie was definitely in Blackadder2 - he played the dastardly Prince Ludwig in the final episode :thumbsup:
As above, with all stock in storage trays and organised into 34 rakes, covering a representative balance of train types from early and late crest periods. This has kept me disciplined when adding new stock. I have about 60 locos, enough to allocate an alternate loco to the larger rakes whilst still leaving a pool of spares.
The locos are also logged into JMRI Decoder Pro, which automatically records date last run and running hours (though not that reliably).
As well as the stock spreadsheet, I have a separate loco history spreadsheet, a tab for each loco, in which running time and maintenance is logged.
Thanks to @jpendle (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3871) and @tutenkhamunsleeping (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1490) for correcting my memory lapse :-[
Thanks everyone I have managed to sort something in OpenOffice Calc. I have bought some paint pens so I can write the number on the stock itself underneath rather than labels. Thanks again. Keep Safe.