Inventory

BryGy Feb 14, 2001

  1. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yankinoz,
    I'd like to welcome you too Trainboard and especially welcome you too the best country in the world :D. I live in sydney and am glad to see a few more locals come to trainboard. Tell us more about your modelling, what scale do you model? We have a rather active N scale club here in Sydney and you are most welcome to join. feel free to email me anytime for any advice or information.

    [ 20 February 2001: Message edited by: Colonel ]
     
  2. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    Colonel, considering the average basement size in Sydney (for those not familiar with the metric system, 0x0 meters is exaclty the same as 0x0 feet) I'm not surpised that there would be extensive N scale here. I have had the pleasure of seeing the "Gold River Canyon" at a couple of shows and I tell you, seeing 100 car trains sure make me wonder why I am in HO :rolleyes:

    I am without a layout at the moment but have been detailing HO intermodal and some Soo equipment as well. The ultimate goal is 1990's Soo (the end of the line) and would like to incorporate the Chicago intermodal operations if space permits.
    I saw your link to Gats' excellent N scale work in the HO forum. I'm working on a couple of SD40-2's at the moment so that was a relevant post.
     
  3. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    Colonel,

    I just noticed the link to your site. That's some mighty fine work you have there as well (even noticed a couple SOO SD60's - g'donya!)
    Let me also congratulate you on seeing the light of cable internet access. We can swap bigpond billing errors some day! but isn't the speed worth it?

    Sorry for straying so far from the original topic. If anyone wants my HanDBase database structures - send me an email and I will be happy to email them to you.
     
  4. Scott

    Scott E-Mail Bounces

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    Also a computer programmer, I have developed an application in PowerBuilder to record my inventory and print switching lists. It works fine, but I did get a few ideas from reading these messages (hmmm... a palm version).

    I record destinations, lengths of their sidings, and length of each car, among other things. When creating a switching list the program uses this information in order to determine if another car can fit at a certain destination. I tell the program where each car is allowed to go. During switching list generation a car is chosen at random then a destination is randomly chosen until one is found that can fit the car, or all possible destintions are exhausted, and a new car is chosen. A loco, caboose and direction leaving the yard are also chosen at random. The user specifies how many cars to run per train and how many trains to print. It "remembers" where the cars are from one run to the next. Cool!

    It also includes a user definable (ratio and time) fast clock.

    There are still a few things I'd like to change and when they are done I'm contemplating making it available for download. However, I'm not sure if I want the support headaches.
     
  5. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    sajay,

    That's my ultimate plan - but for now it seems silly, being without a railroad and all :(

    The HanDBase database's are easily impoted into Excel - and those are easily linked or imported into Access.
     
  6. BryGy

    BryGy TrainBoard Member

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    Great suggestions everyone. It looks like I have a little more retooling of the database, before I would be satisfied with it. I obviously forgot to include areas for modifications (weathering, detail parts, etc.) but there are a variety of other areas that could and probably should be included. I think what I will probably work towards, is having an Microsoft Access database that includes all the detailed items for locos, rolling stock, scenery items, structures, equipment, DCC related items and so forth. Then design an interface that would allow me to track the basic info of locos, rolling stock, scenery and structures for use at hobby shops, trade/swaps meets, so forth.

    I will play around with things for a little while and let you know what I come up with. Too bad photopoint.com doesn't allow you to post other file types there, otherwise I would post it for others to use. If you would like to see what I am working with so far, e-mail me and I will send it to you. That is some good creative brainstorming there!!! :D

    Bry
     
  7. eddelozier

    eddelozier TrainBoard Member

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    Watash,
    In reguards to your database which allows you to create separate columns. I would try pre-assigning Tape numbers then enter these numbers into the subject..etc columns along with the subject text.
    Examp: #####subject (addl column 1)
    subject ##### (addl column 2)

    Then when you sort either column the subject and tape numbers will sequence together for ease of lookup. Always use zero fill to keep the ##### a fixed size (0001). When the subject is first make sure the ##### is in same position location within the column and similiar subject text is spelled the same. (subject xyz 0001) (subject xyzx 0001).

    Did somthing similar to archive 10's of thousands of photos for newspaper. The storage drawer&folder number was the #####. Saved the problem of grouping all similiar subjects in the same half empty drawers.

    The internet has many solutions as well. I've seen lots of inventory programs, some free to try, during web searches.

    ...Eddie
     
  8. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bry,
    Once you have completed your database i would certainly be interested in having a look.
     
  9. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Thanks Eddie, the "My Database" program does what I want with the exception that they have already numbered each line, and no provision is possible to insert an extra un- numbered line between their numbers. The neat thing I like is they allow you three sorting choices, and when used, it sorts the whole line along with every column. It does not mix up the listings. They are very hard to initially set up, and their instructions are almost useless. I asked them if they would sell me one with seven or eight sorting choices, and they simply said no. So..

    [ 22 February 2001: Message edited by: watash ]
     
  10. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    Guys,
    ALL my Locomotives and Rolling Stock have 3x5 cards on them for maintenence and repairs. Not only for that reason but I have an offline Database for the insurance of my collection of a total of 429 Locomotives and 794 cars!!! With a 20 year collection that size I need insurance so.... [​IMG] I'd hate to lose by fire or a bunch get stolen!! :( I got way too much to to lose. And concidering I do a Christmas show to bring in the holiday I need it for that reason. What I mean by show is nothing like the train shows you's guys might think of I run a complete train show that is all about running trains not selling them. Its all donated time and for one very special reason...... THE KIDS! I don't get payed for doing the shows and I don't charge addmition, and no donations are collected either I just do them to see the little kids enjoy the time to see something as spectacular. I know what it was like for me as a kid to see a show that a ton of trains running all at once was. Now i do it in return for the very same reason.

    But I got a HUGH pile of 3x5 cards in a file all on their own and a cabinet made for 3x5 cards that is almost completly full with 6, 2 foot drawers!!!! If I keep buying its looks like i'm going to be buying another 3x5 card cabinet!!! oh well. I file one card per loco or one card per car. With all maintenece and repairs done on it for that loco. or car. It took me years to accomplish that but its done for now till I buy more or whatever. I have a friend that is thinking on selling his whole collection that for the price I just may buy. About 175 loco's and almost 300 cars for $3,000. Not a bad price concidering hes going from HO to O so.... I guess sell one to buy another? I'm up for that. LOOK OUT income tax check!!!! :D ~John

    [ 10 March 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
     

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