Engine data base?

I was wondering if anyone on the board has or knows of a data base that would store say engines and or rolling stock inventory? I have MS Access but I was looking for a data base template to ease my non Access creating brain = )

Thanks

Bill Meiggs

 

Bill, I have been looking for one also.

The problem is the ones available are way more complicated than I want, and so far, most will list one engine on each page.

One is named "My Database", but you have to start with one of three different "Templates" and construct the chart you want. Each line is already numbered. You are allowed only three choices for sorting. If you sort, the numbers stay the same, so the engine you originally labeled as #1 may now show up on line #4. What do you do, re-number your engine? Another drawback, there is no provision to add a blank line between numbered rows. (You may not be able to get all the data for one engine on only one line.)

All I wanted was a simple listing that could occasionally be printed out on an ordinary typewriter page I can take to my layout and check out certain engines on the list that may need oiling, or some sort of repair, etc.

If I purchase a new engine I should be able to assign it the next number, then sort alphabetically, and have the list include the engine where ever it would go, yet retains the number even if that is the second line from the top.

I tried such a list on a word processor and had the best luck so far.

I have had a number of suggestions about how what I want is so easy to do, with all kind of instructions. It might be alright if you are a well versed computer guru, but I have found in business while training people to run hazardous machinery, that there are very few people who are capable of writing clear useable instructions, or even have the patience to sit with a novice until the guy learns safely.

I offered one guy $100.00 to send me a floppy with a blank template on it that I could simply fill in the blanks to my specs. and he didn't come anywhere close. To him, he had met all my requirements (if I knew how to rearrange everything as I went), but he did not know how to make it fullfill my KISS request.

There is one guy I know that will write exactly what you want, because he does it for a company, for $225.00 per hour, maximum 8 hr per day, max 40 hr week, cash first week in advance. (There is more).

Lots of luck my friend. I'm convinced it can't be done for anything reasonable, cost wise.

 

I use Microsoft Excell, it is pretty user friendly. I still haven't learned how to use the auto-sort, so I do it by hand. It is easy to move a line if you have to(insert a row, the copy the one that needs moving, ...)

 

Paul;
If I may? I would like to have the template for your Excel program.

My wife and I have been trying to establish a Acess template for my rolling stock. She says the I have to have a "field" for every whim I want. It would take a while to build, but I think I can do it. Thanks,
Carl

 

Paul,

I would love a copy of your excel spreadsheet.

You can email it to me at squint@uwbmt.org

On another note, I've been real impressed with your layout and your approach.

Scot

 

Paul, that excel sheet sounds like a good idea. Could you email me a copy or a template of it. I have been using excel for years now and I know the potential of this program. I have just not had the time to do it. Your's sounds like it might be a great way to start.

 

Depending on your system configuration, there is a freeware program that I have found to be an excellent inventory program. It is called Raildata, and can be downloaded from http://home.kc.rr.com/drgw/raildata.htm

This program allows you to enter more data than you can use about a single inventory item in several categories, and printed or on-screen reports are available. You can assign a unique ID to your item so everything associated with that item is always associated with it no matter how you sort. Photos, videos, and modeling notes can also be categorized.

Now the bad news - Keith has not updated this product, and if your operating system is newer than Windows 98 on a PC, the program will not run. I have used it successfully on a Windows 98 system, although it "is not reliable on that system," and it was designed for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. You're out of luck if you use a MAC. Maybe if enough people show an interest in Raildata, Keith will be motivated to update it!