Inventory Software..

Simple spreadsheet here......I find the maintenance is a lot more work than I thought.....buying, selling etc.....gonna be the same no matter how fancy the software. 

Just create a flat file database in Excel.  Make it look like what ever you want and/or need. 

Here is a page from mine.

I use Access, which worked out nicely when I was buying and selling frequently.  Now it's basically a simple database that I could put in Excel and be quite happy.  Can't tell you how many times I forgot to mark things "sold" and put off adding new purchases. "Garbage in Garbage." 

Keeping the info current is key even if you only do it on paper.

I've used excel for years.  You can change the format, add more info columns, etc.  To me the best thing is being able to sort any way by any characteristic.  I've used access at work for a database and got totally burned during the conversion from xp based access to win 7 based access.  Was glad my trains were still in excel.

The problem with any database solution is keeping it up to date, that's where I always fall down.

I use Excel on my home computer, but I also use Model inventory (By Woodland Scenics)  on my I phone and I Pad, so if I am at a train show and can't remember if I have something I can pull it up...

I stopped actually believing I had the necessary discipline required to maintain a database now when I get something I get to look at my trains and see stuff I forgot I had and figure out how many duplicates can one guy have

Spreadsheet for me too.  Single tab with hyperlinks to pictures.  Many of my trains are in storage, and the updated spread is important to find which box stuff is in.  Definitely a challenge to keep updated.  After going to a train show have to update and do pictures.  Often am behind on updates.  After the stuff is out of storage in the next few years the data will be less important. 

Bill

I'm solidly in the spreadsheet camp. It's flexible and easy to use. Not sure why anyone would want anything more?

Can't go wrong with Access or any of the open-source alternatives. I have databases for locomotives, cars, maintenance schedules, etc. Then you can cross-link entries and perform queries.

I use an old program called MITrains.  It works on PC and it creates an Access Database File.  While they were still in business, it was nice because they would load the Lionel, MTH, and K-Line catalogs so you could just add by copying instead of loading manually (which I have to do now).  If the program ever dies, I will find someone who is good in Access to put a new front end on the existing database files.

Allan; this might interest you:

 http://www.seahawksoftware.com/mitrains44/

There is a program called RRTrains 2000 that is similar to a spreadsheet, but is setup and ready to go. I have looked at it and it doesn't look too bad. I can't remember for sure, but it might possibly be Freeware? 

There was another one I looked at a few years ago called Yard Boss or Yard Master or something like that? It looked pretty good as well, but just wasn't quite enough lure me in.

I think both of the above might be worth a look though, just to see what you think of them. Something to look at anyway.

I use a Filemaker database, I customized one of their included databases that were pre-made. But, as many others have stated, I have fallen behind and it is really in need of an update! I have all my pre-orders entered, it's the off the shelf purchases I am really behind on and the ones I regularly forget to add.

I usually use a simple Excel SS for figuring out my pre-orders and give to my LHS for ordering. Then once they are ordered I put them in Filemaker. I could probably just use Filemaker, but I only list the needed info for my LHS to order them in the Excel SS.

RRTrains2000 is indeed freeware. Works on everything from Win95 to Win10.

Photos aren't displayed inline, but can be linked to their location on one's hard drive (I have my database and photos (and the install file for the application) on a thumb drive so the data can be accessed anywhere, and not be vulnerable to hard drive malfunctions). Click on the photo link and the image opens up in your default (of chosen) image display app.

It can also export files readable by conventional spreadsheets. I haven't tested that feature since not all Windows PC's come with Office/Excel.

---PCJ

CenterRail .com inventory module will will be free once I have chance to change the sign up code.
You can use the search now for free and after the Rocky Mountain Train show I will dedicate more time to it.

Well thank you all very much for your imput ..... I really appreciate it..

          Scott