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1 - 20 of 20
Frt Car Model Database
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Bill McClure
Does anyone use a true database program to keep track of freight car models? As opposed to a spreadsheet program.
Thanks, Bill
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Kenneth Montero
One modeler that I know uses Yard Office software. I plan to use it as a database.
Ken Montero
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Robert J Miller CFA
I have used MS Access. I export them to Excel and download to my iPad when I go to train shows (you remember those) so I don’t buy something I already own.
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From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> on behalf of Kenneth Montero <va661midlo@...>
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2020 8:25:02 PM To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Frt Car Model Database
One modeler that I know uses Yard Office software. I plan to use it as a database.
Ken Montero
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Paul Koehler
Bill:
Yes I use File Maker Pro. Like it very well.
Paul C. Koehler
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bill McClure
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2020 3:54 PM To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io Subject: [RealSTMFC] Frt Car Model Database
Does anyone use a true database program to keep track of freight car models? As opposed to a spreadsheet program.
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Ralph W. Brown
Hi Bill,
I use an alpha-numeric (by manufacturer and manufacturer’s item/part
number) inventory list, with columns for descriptive info, status and/or notes
(planed project id, needs paint, lettering, weathering, repairs, etc.) and
location. I did mine with WordPerfect, but it could just as easily be done
with Word or any other such program with which one is familiar.
I also started using DataCrow (http://datacrow.net/) a number of years ago to
keep track of my library after having inadvertently acquired more than one
duplicate volume. The program is set up in modules designed to manage
books, images, music, movies, and other things. The user can also create
additional modules for other items as well. I haven’t tried to do that,
but I imagine one could create a custom module for freight cars and other
models.
It will be interesting to see what other folks are using for that
purpose.
Pax,
Ralph
Brown
Portland, Maine PRRT&HS No. 3966 NMRA No. L2532 rbrown51[at]maine[dot]rr[dot]com
From: Bill McClure
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2020 6:54 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: [RealSTMFC] Frt Car Model Database Does
anyone use a true database program to keep track of freight car models? As
opposed to a spreadsheet program. Thanks, Bill
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Bill McClure
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Lester Breuer
Bill I do. I use Microsoft Access as I it does help me to keep track of the freight cars I have. Microsoft Access allows me to get data on my freight cars via queries and reports I have written. I began years and years ago in D-Base and eventually moved to Acess. I have attached photos of of how I can pull data via queries and a report and one filled out as building a model.
Lester Breuer Lester Breuer
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Naw. I use Excel to track my collection. I have found that I can sort, search, etc. as well in Excel as I can in more sophisticated database applications and it is easier to use and modify. It is working fine for my ~775 car freight collection. I track more of the prototype information than the model information, unless there is something unique about the model (e.g., 1956 Revell models or the Ambroid "One of five thousand" models). I have separate lists for my steam and diesel motive power (~100) and passenger cars too (way behind on that one). Agree with comment above about buying something at a show that I already have (been there, done that). My main tracking is by reporting marks, then road number and then about 1/2 of the ORER info. I have good coverage in ORERs from 1930 through 1970's for primary references.
-- John
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Schuyler Larrabee
Oh sure, your example is a Sunshine kit you bought for $20 . . .
Rub it in a little more, whydoncha?
Schuyler
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Lester Breuer
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2020 10:29 AM To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Frt Car Model Database
Bill I do. I use Microsoft Access as I it does help me to keep track of the freight cars I have. Microsoft Access allows me to get data on my freight cars via queries and reports I have written. I began years and years ago in D-Base and eventually moved to Acess. I have attached photos of of how I can pull data via queries and a report and one filled out as building a model.
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radiodial868
I second the FileMaker Pro.
It is another tool you have to learn to use, so if you don't like new things or learning, fugetaboutit... ------------------- RJ Dial Mendocino, CA
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Bill McClure
Thanks again. Great stuff. I once used Bento. Then after a Mac upgrade, I received the infamous "no longer supported" when I tried to open it. Couldn't even access my files or my backups. Regrettably, I didn't even have a hard copy. So I am starting over. I know this is a little off the theme of this list, but it will help me (and my heirs) track my STEAM ERA FREIGHT CARS. :) Bill Bill McClure www.billmcclure.smugmug.com
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Bill Parks
20 or so years ago I developed my own software program (complete with relational database) to manage my inventory. Eventually, I got tired of maintaining it, and switched to Excel. I have looked into JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface), but it doesn't fit my needs
-- Bill Parks Cumming, GA Modelling the Seaboard Airline in Central Florida
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IMO the best way to store model train information is in simple English text files. All it requires is the ability to use a keyboard and some kind of editor - you can use Notepad or Wordpad or Emacs or any number of others. Or Word (.doc) files if you want to include pictures of the model in the files. PC file/word/phrase search tools can then be used to find things very quickly! I use Windows search, Cygwin "grep", or Google Desktop, depending on what I'm looking for. Spreadsheets are fantastic for data files where you want to break things down into columns and rows that can be re-arranged or sorted on demand, or when you have a single data set that grows over time - like Tom Madden's Pullman CCR files for example. Database programs are appropriate tools for transaction processing. IMO they are total overkill for a model collection.
On 12/17/2020 6:54 PM, Bill McClure wrote:
Does anyone use a true database program to keep track of freight car models? As opposed to a spreadsheet program. --
Tim O'Connor Sterling, Massachusetts
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Barry Roth
I use a relational database constructed in Access. Among the tables are “project” (i.e., cars, locos, structures), “job,” “part,” “purchase,” and others. The ability of Access to generate reports, such as tasks in order of priority, is very helpful to me. Barry
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Tony Thompson
Tim O'Connor wrote:
Again, I believe Tim is right. "Overkill" is a tactful description. Tony Thompson
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Jerry Michels
I have used Excel for 30 years at least. Works for me. Jerry Michels
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Bill Keene
I also have been using Excel for the roster of the freight cars in the layout fleet. This spreadsheet is searchable by category and major work to be done.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Additionally, each freight car has a record “card” similar to the CCRs — CAR CONSTRUCTION RECORD — of the Pullman Company. A PDF of this Excel based CCR form is attached. This specific CCR is for an ATSF Sk-3 stock car that was purchased from Clark. A very nice car and one that is the standard that all of the other stock cars in the fleet are measured by. The fields are filled in with model source—in this case Westerfield—the build data and the paint data. The bottom portion is a Service Record that includes dates that the car was shopped—RIP’d—and what work was done. The Notes section included other data and a list of future shopping such as “needs to be weathered” or other repairs noticed while operating on the layout. This could include possible improvements to details. Of course, this latter bit would not be a requirement for a Clark-Built car. 😃 Cheers & Happy Modeling, Bill Keene Irvine, CA
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Robert J Miller CFA
Bill.
Is the form you attached your data entry form for your Access Database? That looks like a good way to enter the relevant data.
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Bill Keene via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2020 1:55 PM To: main@realstmfc.groups.io Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Frt Car Model Database
I also have been using Excel for the roster of the freight cars in the layout fleet. This spreadsheet is searchable by category and major work to be done.
Additionally, each freight car has a record “card” similar to the CCRs — CAR CONSTRUCTION RECORD — of the Pullman Company. A PDF of this Excel based CCR form is attached.
This specific CCR is for an ATSF Sk-3 stock car that was purchased from Clark. A very nice car and one that is the standard that all of the other stock cars in the fleet are measured by. The fields are filled in with model source—in this case Westerfield—the build data and the paint data. The bottom portion is a Service Record that includes dates that the car was shopped—RIP’d—and what work was done. The Notes section included other data and a list of future shopping such as “needs to be weathered” or other repairs noticed while operating on the layout. This could include possible improvements to details. Of course, this latter bit would not be a requirement for a Clark-Built car. 😃
Cheers & Happy Modeling, Bill Keene Irvine, CA
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As an retired DBA using DB2, Oracle, Object Oriented and SQL Server professionally for over 30 years, I would recommend a workbook type program such as Microsoft Excel or Open Office Calc and designing the columns to contain all necessary key fields and data fields. As long as you can search on columns there would be no need for the sophisticated relational or indexing capabilities of commercial database software. Size limitations on spreadsheets and small database products have expanded over the last 20 years to accommodate quite large arrays of information. underlying file structures for the products of the same software vendor may be the same between workbooks and small databases.
On the other hand a well designed cloud object database application that contained every RTR/Kit model, scale, ,material(s) and livery, numbering variant with photo and could be accessed by subscribers for a nominal fee does have some appeal. I could see problems with open vetting contributions and ensuring no duplications with differing descriptions of the same product could however mean going down a rabbit hole of contention. This should have been a project for the NMRA (mentioned in spite of some distaste by some in this community for that organization.) It would be interesting if it were international as there are many fine non-North American models made for other markets. -- Ken Adams Still in splendid Shelter In Place solitude, about half way up Walnut Creek Owner PlasticFreightCarBuilders@groups.io
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Bill:
I use Railbase Professional by ShipIt. There is a ton of information you can enter. It takes info on the kit, the prototype, and photographs. I use it to provide reports in Acrobat.
Robert J. Amsler, Jr. 514 Dover Place Saint Louis, Missouri 63111 (314) 606-6118 (Mobile) (314) 754-2688 (Facsimile) MPFan1@...
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bill McClure
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2020 5:54 PM To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io Subject: [RealSTMFC] Frt Car Model Database
Does anyone use a true database program to keep track of freight car models? As opposed to a spreadsheet program.
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