With this unexpected time on my hands (thanks quarantine) I thought I would inventory and catalog my (obsessively) extensive LGB collection, but I really don't know the best way to do that. I want more than an Excel spreadsheet, I was hoping there is some UPC based app that could help. How does everyone else keep track of their collection? Thanks!
How do you catalog your collection?
- Thread starter Gibby
- Start date
penylanpip
Registered
Being of simple mind, I have individual photographs of each item of rolling stock plus separate lists of wagons, locos, etc, on 'Word'.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
I stand in the shed and look at the boxes - I used to have a list somewhere, but for me, it's not worth it. I buy my trains to run - their value is in the pleasure that I gain from watching them run along the track 
FatherMcD
Registered
I use Model Train Catalogue (Exhibitors Edition). Model Train Catalogue Home. £10.99 for both editions. It has a wide variety of options and is easily customizable. I only have a few items cataloged so far as I'm adding each item as I acquire it and then as I'm preparing for a household move. Since I have to pack things up anyway, it makes for a good time and incentive to add them to the catalogue. I've set it up so that the actual database is on OneDrive and therefore accessible from any of my computers. (I've done the same with AnyRail.) I'll see if it is worth the effort in the long run, but for the price I figured i'd give it a try.
Ken
Ken
Thanks so very much! I will check it out!
GAP
G Scale Model Trains, 1:1 Sugar Cane Trains
I use Libre Office instead of the Microsoft Office offering and have found it to be comparatively the same.
www.libreoffice.org
It comes with Libre Base, a free open source equivalent to Microsoft Access database, fully customisable to the users needs.
www.libreoffice.org
Home | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft
Free office suite – the evolution of OpenOffice. Compatible with Microsoft .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx. Updated regularly, community powered.
It comes with Libre Base, a free open source equivalent to Microsoft Access database, fully customisable to the users needs.
Base | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft
Base, database, database frontend, LibreOffice, ODF, Open Standards, SQL, ODBC
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GAP
G Scale Model Trains, 1:1 Sugar Cane Trains
I was advised to keep one for insurance purposes by my home insurer.
Thank you so much!I use Libre Office instead of the Microsoft Office offering and have found it to be comparatively the same.
Home | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft
Free office suite – the evolution of OpenOffice. Compatible with Microsoft .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx. Updated regularly, community powered.
It comes with Libre Base, a free open source equivalent to Microsoft Access database, fully customisable to the users needs.
Base | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft
Base, database, database frontend, LibreOffice, ODF, Open Standards, SQL, ODBC
Thank you so much! I will check into that!
GAP
G Scale Model Trains, 1:1 Sugar Cane Trains
Greg Elmassian
Guest
JMRI has a database, and it is integrated with the DCC programming features.
Yard Office is one some of my friends use.
I have also used Microsoft Access, I have a main database as well as linked tables on maintenance, things that need fixing, etc.
Greg
Yard Office is one some of my friends use.
I have also used Microsoft Access, I have a main database as well as linked tables on maintenance, things that need fixing, etc.
Greg
May be not, but is pretty unique!
I, personally, look in my storage box and if there's a gap, I know something is missing
There are quite a few options out there but for me Excell is more than adequate. Only thing that it is tricky to do is to calculate the number of items that you have so I include a spare column that has a 1 in it and Total that in the Heading Lines. These can be synked so that they appear as you scroll down the listing. Each item is also given a unique number as well with a small sticker with it on on each item of stock to id them. Even with a modest fleet this is a worthwhile job. Many of you may have thought that the unique number would give a total but as items come and go that is clearly not the case foe ever. I try to be quite fastidious in putting new or updating removed items from the list, of course that one gets removed though these days I have a separate sheet within the spreadsheet to move sold items to. Different makes also get their own sheets as well. A code is used to give a fleet Id (W C L) thus I can sort by that to see just how many wagons I have.
I know people that use Access for such a task, yes it will work and perhaps give you nicer more specific outputs but it can be tricky to set up for the novice like me and creating those reports is akin to speaking Swahili to me. Some ofvthe bespoke options that I have seen use a Windows type interface and entry screen which is fine if you remembervthe coding that you use, but a good old table entry is much simpler and mire conducive to getting the job done IMHO.
I know people that use Access for such a task, yes it will work and perhaps give you nicer more specific outputs but it can be tricky to set up for the novice like me and creating those reports is akin to speaking Swahili to me. Some ofvthe bespoke options that I have seen use a Windows type interface and entry screen which is fine if you remembervthe coding that you use, but a good old table entry is much simpler and mire conducive to getting the job done IMHO.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Thanks for posting Ken. I have just tried the demo - Little problem, it only seems to offer a limited range of manufacturer tags and nothing for 45 mm gauge. I cannot find a field for either of these noted as "other" so that it can be customised to suit all the different Fn3 and 16 mm scale products from the makers I have, just "unknown" that cannot be seem to able to be modified. Am I missing something here ? As it is it would be no better than just writing a list in a regular word document.
Max
penylanpip
Registered
No, honest... i have very few item's...
Well now we need a 'yeah, right' icon, Phil, in addition to the long-awaited 'groan'!
Well now we need a 'yeah, right' icon, Phil, in addition to the long-awaited 'groan'!
beavercreek
Travel, Art, Theatre, Music, Photography, Trains
I stand in the shed and look at the boxes - I used to have a list somewhere, but for me, it's not worth it. I buy my trains to run - their value is in the pleasure that I gain from watching them run along the track
But what about Theft, Fire, Pestilence, Tree fall, plane fall, plastic virus,,,, etc etc... An inventory will save time and effort for insurance purposes...try telling an insurance bod that your collection is worth £40,000 and see how much they reckon, without proof etc etc...oh and don't forget the track, points, buildings etc....