Keeping tabs on stock

[dannyboy]

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.

[Graham]

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.

[Steven B]

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.

[Bob G]

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.

[Newportnobby]

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

[Bob G]

I immediately wanted to scroll down through your spreadsheet

I organise mine into rakes of coaches too: for example

[Newportnobby]

Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist
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  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

[Bob G]

Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist

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 

[GScaleBruce]

As others have said, a spreadsheet - I also use Excel.



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.

[railsquid]

I too use a spreadsheet, which looks pretty much like all the others shown.

As for associating items with storage, simlar to @GScaleBruce 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:


MicroAce 10 car case B-1140 by Rail Squid, 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

[stevewalker]

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 

[lil chris]

Thanks for your pics of your files, I should be able to get some ideas from these.

[Trainfish]

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! 

@lil chris 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.



EDIT: Picture changed as there was maybe a little too much financial detail on the last one 

[jpendle]

Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist

Hugh Laurie wasn't in Blackadder 2.
You're thinking of Tim McInerinerinerinery 

John P

[tutenkhamunsleeping]

Just like Hugh Laurie in Blackadder 2, you've turned much gold into green and so must be an alchemist

Hugh Laurie wasn't in Blackadder 2.
You're thinking of Tim McInerinerinerinery 

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