This might be the wrong thread for this since mine is not web-based, but sharing... Figured a good place to start would be to know what I have since items are sort of scattered about in storage. Didn't want to just make a list so decided to create an Access database. Then came the question of fields to include, and that proved interesting. Data entry is slower than I expected. I found it helped to include a picture of each item, so that took a bit of time. Ascertaining current value is a real pain (lots of Ebay searches to find minimum). Anyway, work in progress. The querries are proving quite helpful, can get immedate information in all kinds of ways. Screen shot of the data entry form below which shows how I approached this effort in case anyone's interested in this kind of thing. Curious if others have found creating a database helpful.
By the way, that loco depicted above was made in Macau. That is unique in my collection (plenty of China, US, Taiwan, Italy Slovenia). Anyone know the background on model manufacturing in Macau?
I began with the spreadsheet idea, but switched to a database so that querries could be performed more easily. All a database is, in truth, is a big spreadsheet with built-in querry and reporting functions. As an example, I created a query based on era assigned to each piece (used my own definitions for that). Here's an example query that brought up pieces for what I call the "modern" era. Other queries are based on size (e.g., length, height), type of engine such as steam, diesel, etc., which consist a piece works with, etc. Kind of fun to do them.
Use what feels adequate to your needs. I just use a simple spread sheet. Manufacturer, catalog number, railroad name, reporting mark, primary body type (GP40, box car, etc), primary color(s), notes. This has worked for me for decades now.
If you use consistent terminology (always "box", not "Box" or "BOX") you can generate "reports" by simply filtering on various column values. There's even a way to do a pull-down pick list to populate those fields, to encourage standard values that can later be efficiently filtered upon. Where there's a will, there's a way... Spreadsheets and databases for personal use are almost the same in capability. Use what you know/like.
I use Excel for all my stock logging . In addition to the usual stuff ( Model type, Manufacturers number, colour scheme etc) the price value is based on the replacement cost if the worst happens i.e total loss- damage or theft.. When we take the layouts to shows I can supply the show organisers with a list of all the stock brought plus the value of the layout itself and high value accesories . In the U.K the show organiser's insurance covers all this from the moment it leaves my house until it is safely retuend home on Sunday night when it reverts to my own, specific model insurance policy For a show I save the first few columns to print out stock no, Maker product No,. Description, Livery, Era/ ,value £ ,Mech ,road number, coupler, coupler mount, Bolster pin ID colour, Autosum gives the exhibition manager a quick view of what the whole rig is worth But going right across the Spreadsheet are further columns that includes a models 'Sin Bin History' like persistent misbehaviour at shows or in the workshop (Derailments. stalling, random uncoupling etc) . Origin, so in the instance of my Espee GP20 it notes it started out as an AZL GP7 and I use color coding to identify which locos are DCC fittted by putting the text into orange The Bolster pin I.D came about from lessons learned when running modular layouts when people running the same RTR freight car couldn't work out whose boxcars were whose (I use one purple and one yellow) I use a link to the photos of a models properties to embed in a column ( Like a Hyper link) but am heading more towards hyper linking to my Flickr channel although its a lots of photos to upload The scary thing is when I look at the total for each specific spreadsheet . U.K Z, European Z, Japanese Z and the two USA Z spreadsheets ( The 1950s and the the 1990s stock) I never would dare to tell the wife how much is in there! But as an example . when I mentioned high value accesories have you ever considered how much you have tied op in something as simple as model autos? My Z scale collcetion comes from makers like Randy Brown, Csikape, Phalen, Z-Panzer, Steffens, A2modell, Masters of Military etc. Grand total, a staggering £2304 ie $3003. scary eh? Kev
My primary use is simply to keep from buying duplicate items, so a spread sheet is adequate. I break it down by railroad, then car type and lengths, then road numbers. I don't really care about manufacturers, model numbers, ect. But as mentioned, it's what works for you......... I like your Croat, but it's WAY more info than I would ever use.
I taught myself to use Access years ago after Borland kind of went away (started with Paradox database). Once you get the hang of it databases are actually pretty fun and quite helpful. One of the issues with Access specifically is cost since the "pro" version of Microsoft Office (that includes Access) is so expensive. To get around that, I purchased Access as a stand alone program for something like $49 on Ebay, the 2007 version, and it works just fine with no issues including the Microsoft registration number.
