Stecotec Model Railroad Software?

This link works

https://youtu.be/6uFgQVP-usk

I tried several different model train inventory programs and found something I liked in each one, but none had all the features I wanted to I took those features I like and created my own database using Microsoft Access 2010 (yes, I know, kind of outdated, but it works!).

Here's the fields I have for each item:

Seq # (this allows me to sort according to my own sort sequence)
Cat No
MA (once I enter the data from the spreasdsheet I place an "X" in this field; that way I can compare the total of X's in this column with the number of records in the database and tell if I've missed any - or when I get several items I know which have been entered into the Access database)
Description
Color(s)
Series / Set
Manufacturer
Scale
Group (my own groupings)
Road Name Code
Road Name Description
Road Logo
Reporting Mark
Category
Type (a sub-catrgory of category - to break them down into smaller types (primarily categories and type from Yard Office)
Min Curve
Length
Built
Status
Configuration
Years Cataloged
MSRP
Purchase Date
Sold by
Purchase Price
S & H / Tax
Calc. Total
% MSRP Purchase Price
Item Condition
Best Value
% MSRP Best Value
CY Greenberg Value
% MSRP CY Greenburg Value
MITrains (software) Value Date (unfortunately this program is no longer available)
MITrains Value Price
% MSRP MITrains Value Price
Qty
Box Type
Box Condition
Images (up to 8)
Notes

With the Access database I can create just about any report. Sometimes those reports help to to identify erroroneous entries.

paulp575, how's the Access db coming along? I have resorted to Access on a number of occasions and am doing so now with my new foray into 0-gauge trains. I have just populated my first go of an "out-of-the-box" accdb--no VB code. I can see already that I have no clue on how to pull all the major car items together. Items such as major car groupings (engine, box, gondola, hopper, etc.) , car truck types, coupler types, coupler actuators, collectors, and on the list goes. How have you normalized your car inventory? I would like to work with you on this one. I'm not up to speed on Access's lifespan but I'm hoping it will be around for another decade at least.

@TheLloyd posted:

paulp575, how's the Access db coming along? I have resorted to Access on a number of occasions and am doing so now with my new foray into 0-gauge trains. I have just populated my first go of an "out-of-the-box" accdb--no VB code. I can see already that I have no clue on how to pull all the major car items together. Items such as major car groupings (engine, box, gondola, hopper, etc.) , car truck types, coupler types, coupler actuators, collectors, and on the list goes. How have you normalized your car inventory? I would like to work with you on this one. I'm not up to speed on Access's lifespan but I'm hoping it will be around for another decade at least.

Database is doing fine.

I think what I ended up with is a flat database, i.e., no cross-reference(?) tables.

It's now about 677 MB. I'd love to figure out a way to shrink that size - although my desktop handles it quite well.

Never figured out how to not have to enter a code and the text that goes with the code but when I print a report it automatically populates the text field. I think that requires some type of table, but never could figure that out.

paulp757, depending on your comfort level, would you send me your table (thirty or so rows with as few blank entries as possible) and I'll take a look at your MS Access 2010 database and provide you with any ideas I may have. Are you writing VBA for your forms and reports?

When I first start a database, I run the Wizards on sample data so that I can refine how best to normalize the data. In this way I may delete Access objects and start fresh again. Once I'm satisfied that I have the data normalize, then I feel better about investing time in code and improvements.

@paulp575 posted:

Database is doing fine.

I think what I ended up with is a flat database, i.e., no cross-reference(?) tables.

Make copies of your database/objects prior to experimenting,

Use the Access table analyzer to provide some clues as to managing your data. This feature having Access create the new related tables will generate Lookup fields in the main table of similar data. The Lookup fields are a pain to work with and you can change/eliminate them down the road. But you will get a idea of ways you may improve your db structure. The Table Analyzers also allow you to make select fields and make your own tables in the same way. If you don't like what was created, just delete all the new tables and return to square one with your original table.

It's now about 677 MB. I'd love to figure out a way to shrink that size - although my desktop handles it quite well.

I have 250 cars in my accdb (v2016), 2 forms, 2 reports, and some linked images. It is under 5mb. Are you running Access compact and Repair?

Never figured out how to not have to enter a code and the text that goes with the code but when I print a report it automatically populates the text field. I think that requires some type of table, but never could figure that out.

Not exactly sure what you mean on the reports. Access can run reports with no VBA code. Again, use the Report Wizard, select the table(s)/query and fields. The wizard will run you through some more options, like grouping, sorting, sums, and generate a report. You may edit this report to better suit your needs or delete it. Or are you saying you have a form which you select fields from and then generate a report via VBA code?

I have only been scale model railroading it for a year now and it is way more complex than I expected it to be. I'm sticking with 0-gauge Lionel for now to keep sane. I would really like to see how you have been using your database...tested over the years it has served you, so that I could get a handle on...well, for now, car inventory, which includes maintenance, repairs, parts, and some minor financial information on the cars. The database should assist us and for you this has occurred. If you do move in the direction of upgrading it, make backups to fall back on in the event you decide the upgrade idea is not worth the effort.

Wow! That's a lot of responses.

I always have a backup of my database. After making updates, I make a copy of the database. And I also back it up during the night to an external drive (I use a backup program; runs nightly). Used to also back up to the cloud but the program I was using I ran into problems and their tech support was clueless so when my subscription expired, I let go of the cloud backup program.

I always repair and compact - even periodically when I'm making updates just in case something goes awry.

IIRC most - if not all my report I manually created. While the wizards are great, they sometimes limit the report. Way back in the late 90 to early 2000s, my employer paid for me to attend Access college courses at the local college. Paid off in the long run. I still have the books, but seldom reference them any more because I don't think I've created any new reports in a long time. If I need a new report, I just copy one of my current reports and modify it to meet my needs.

I'm not sure if I've every used the table analyzer. Maybe one of these days I'll give it a try. Does it create "lookup" tables for a database?

As a computer user starting in 1980 I'm fully aware of the risks of upgrading to more recent programs and OSes. I came from the school of "if it ain't broken, don't fix it". That's why I'm still using Office 2010. Works great for me.

I was going to send you my database via e-mail,. but you don't have your e-mail in your profile.

All good stuff. Yes, the table analyzer will do its best to make sense of a table's field data and it may/will generate new tables with that field/data. The end result will be a new "main" table with lookups to the newly generated related table. (It will automatically name tables, or you may name them. If the analyzer is doing you right, get the table names on target. Also, while running the analyzer, you may relocate fields from any of the tables and generate cascading relationships from the "secondary" tables.) The source table initially selected will remain unchanged, but the analyzer will rename it (*_OLD). You also have an option to create a query of the table analyzer's guess work before you finish the table analysis. Typically, on a new project I give the analyzer a go on its own, take a gander of what it came up with, then in rounds 2, 3, 4, take over the process of defining/normalizing the data. It's really just a baseline to point me in the right direction.

I took a look at the Stecotec promo and for the price it seemed like a good deal notwithstanding the preponderance of node based treeview UI. I'm guessing it will fall short in the "nitty-gritty" of car truck coupler types with varying actuator types and reports. Has any railroader reviewed the Stecotec app?

I'll add my email addy to my profile. Let me know if I botched it.

What is "IIRC"?

Thanks for the quick reply and look forward to checking out your table.

Update: I have been using this (see attachment) cascading hierarchy for a year now and find it useful tool to organize and track cars by type and sets. The attachment is a sample with drill down for cars along with examples of how other train related items maybe organized. Your data will be in the final cascade (items) and how you group items is totally up to you. It is a forgiving structure as you may rename, or group based on your needs. I have examples of car, publication, layout, and memorabilia items at the top with but only the cars are really grouped in this sample. Once you reach the item you may click on its row and a detail form will open for that item (however, for this sample database only car information populates as there are no other item specific tables for publications, layouts, etc.

This is MS Access database and if you like it, just copy-past tables with definitions only (make sure to control Auto Naming feature) to purge sample records. Oh, the detail form does have an Image control for your photos but no photos in this sample, so no image loads. The arbitrary cascades are at six levels deep but you could cut that down to your needs as well. Just keep in mind that your data is at the final level and it is related by the car ID (so your main source of data is not compromised). Also, you can update fields in the final level with an update query (provided in this sample) so that at the item level all you need to add is the car ID number.

Six months later, more robust and tested. Any prior (above) database object is obsolete. If you have an interest, I'll get a copy to you of what I have been using. In the meantime, I hope this Private YT video will give you a good idea of what it has become.

YouTube video of sample database: MS Access Scale Model RR Database Sample FC

OneDrive download of sample database (its actually two databases, collection inventory and car maintenance): For the sample files (Sample.zip @51.1 mb)I need a valid email address to send a OneDrive link to you. If you have a public contact email address listed in your member profile, that should work. I would prefer to use OGR's private messaging to request database files and confirm access to zip file download has been sent to you, so that this post is not cluttered with the likes should interest in the database continue. However, I'm uncertain that OGR's PM will work in this capacity as with the first request I was able to use it and believe it went okay, but for some reason on the next request, my roll came to a halt as I did not have permission to PM that particular member. So if we can figure a way to grease the OGR private messaging, and if I could get some feedback on how the flow of request-downloads and condition of sample databases is going, that would helpful.

Thanks Lloyd!  I'm interested and would like a copy.  My email is in my Forum user profile.

Ted, caught me off guard...didn't expect a response this quickly but I'll do my best to get it packaged and sent to you ASAP.

Ted. zip file of the databases was just loaded up to google drive and an email notice sent to your profile address (cando...). I think I will set up my OneDrive for future downloads but for this first round I went with the google drive due to the zip file size. Let me know if you have any questions.

@TheLloyd posted:

Six months later, more robust and tested. Any prior (above) database object is obsolete. If you have an interest, I'll get a copy to you of what I have been using. In the meantime, I hope this Private YT video will give you a good idea of what it has become.

MS Access Scale Model RR Database Sample FC

Can you please send me the link?

E-mail address is in my profile.

Thanks

Ted, I believe we have gone full cycle, and you have the database files either from the google drive or from the OneDrive database zip file link I sent to your profile email address. Please, update me if this is not the case. Did you get the PM I sent you?

paulp575, I believe we have gone full cycle, and you have the OneDrive database zip file link I sent to your profile email address. Please update me if this is not the case. My attempt to PM you failed.

@CSX Indy posted:

This link works

https://youtu.be/6uFgQVP-usk

FYI: This is a node-based app that uses a navigation similar to a folder directory tree. You could use your operating system's folder structure in the same fashion to organize items by simply creating the folder hierarchy and storing photos and documents such as text files or spreadsheets. This approach would only cost you the time you put into it.