@gunrunnerjohn posted:Holy COW! Someone that can actually answer that question accurately!
My memory isn't good enough to get even close with that technique!
I recently started a spreadsheet for all rolling stock.
Borrowing from scenes in a marriage:
Husband, looking at the shoe rack in his wife's closet "Honey, just HOW many shoes do you have?"
Wife: "Not Enough"
Husband: "So how many more do you need at any given time?"
Wife:"One more pair than I have then"
I pivot between:
"More than I need and less than I want"
and
"I really don't want to know"
Andy
@Jack Texas Special posted:I recently started a spreadsheet for all rolling stock.
I've dreamed about starting a spreadsheet for my trains, but when I actually get to looking at the shelves and all the stuff that isn't on the shelves, I lose interest and run some trains! 
Maybe if I get more shelves up, it'll be easier to count them... 
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@gunrunnerjohn posted:I've dreamed about starting a spreadsheet for my trains, but when I actually get to looking at the shelves and all the stuff that isn't on the shelves, I lose interest and run some trains!
Maybe if I get more shelves up, it'll be easier to count them...
I am in Johns Camp except I have a spread sheet but keeping finding stuff that is not on it maybe when I get the reminder of my shelfs up I will have a better idea. That being said I will run out of walls before I run out of trains.
@A. Wells posted:I'm curious, do ABA's count as one locomotive or two locomotives or two powered locomotives and one unpowered locomotive?
I count any ABA or ABBA, etc consist as one locomotive since they go together, but that's just me.
I hope Lionel releases an ABBA consist of the F7 (like the ones in the current 2022 1 catalog) in the Black Bonnet. That would be amazing!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I've dreamed about starting a spreadsheet for my trains, but when I actually get to looking at the shelves and all the stuff that isn't on the shelves, I lose interest and run some trains!
Maybe if I get more shelves up, it'll be easier to count them...
I figured that might happen to me so I started it while my collection still isn't that big. Every time I purchase something it goes on the spreadsheet.
BTW, I have the SP 4449, the M1 and the Aerotrain as well (mine can't pull very well so I have 4 coach cars).
This comes up regularly, still not understanding everyone's fascination with spreadsheets for inventories when it's the wrong tool, a relational database is what is called for.
@Jack Texas Special posted:BTW, I have the SP 4449, the M1 and the Aerotrain as well (mine can't pull very well so I have 4 coach cars).
I had to tweak the Aerotrain engine to get it to pull it's full ten cars, when I started, it was about the same as yours.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I had to tweak the Aerotrain engine to get it to pull it's full ten cars, when I started, it was about the same as yours.
I figure I'll have to add some weight to that engine.
@Jack Texas Special posted:I figure I'll have to add some weight to that engine.
More important than weight is to adjust the rear truck for proper tension on the springs. It's tricky to get it where the pony wheels don't pop out of the track or exert too much force and lift the rear drivers off the rail. That's the biggest issue with traction with this engine as the rear truck does most of the heavy lifting as far as traction is concerned.
@ADCX Rob posted:This comes up regularly, still not understanding everyone's fascination with spreadsheets for inventories when it's the wrong tool, a relational database is what is called for.
Enlighten me and show an example please sir?
@ADCX Rob posted:This comes up regularly, still not understanding everyone's fascination with spreadsheets for inventories when it's the wrong tool, a relational database is what is called for.
nah, nah, go all out, use a graphical database *lol*.
Given the nature of train collections a relational db is overkill, just not enough data to warrant building out a db (I realize there are commercial, freeware db based products out there that do just that, inventory management). Sure, you can run queries if you forget what you have and run query something like "select * from train_type where type=steam&maker=lionel&engine_number=*434" or something, but how much do most people have?
Too many, but there's always room for one more.
Most times I will just tell them, "Not Enough."
If I get asked a question like this I just tell them I have more than my wife would like me to have.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:More important than weight is to adjust the rear truck for proper tension on the springs. It's tricky to get it where the pony wheels don't pop out of the track or exert too much force and lift the rear drivers off the rail. That's the biggest issue with traction with this engine as the rear truck does most of the heavy lifting as far as traction is concerned.
That makes sense. I'll have to fix it like that. Thanks for the info! That Aerotrain is a real crowdpleaser.
More than I need and less than I want.
Enlighten me and show an example please sir?
You can always spot a civilian when they ask "how many trains do you have?", as a "train", grammatically, is 2 or more things attached, usually semi-permanently, typically for the purpose of movement. What they really mean is "how many of these things (on the wall, on the layout, in your pocket) do you have?" So, if we agree that a steam loco is not a "train" (there's that tender following behind factor), and that an MU'd set of diesels is not a "train", plus that a disconnected piece of rolling stock is not a "train", then your "train" count goes way down. Only equipment that is entrained (i.e., coupled) are "trains".
My "train" count at the moment is about 5, maybe 6. Practically zero.
No matter how you express it, the numbers are pretty meaningless to most people.
I was showing a non-train friend my basement. My still-boxed Lionel Simpsons animated gondola caught his eye - he saw the $49 price tag and said he was amazed at how expensive this stuff is. He didn't understand my uncontrollable laughter...
Oh, I don't know...a fair number I guess.
I decline to answer this question on the grounds it may tend to incriminate me.
At my wedding my wife had one train.
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I give the same answer for any questions I’m asked.
“42”.
Always room for one more.
..."Trains? What trains?...
If in the train room, “The ones that you see and a few in the house.”
If somewhere else, “Oh, I don’t know. Quite a few.”
The, “What do they cost,” follow-up question is the one that gets me. Their guess is almost always less than half.
Real or Model?
If asked that question, I usually reply "pretty much what you see here, accumulated over a life time" (since many may think I bought them all at once). I also add that if you buy one thing at a time, it adds up over a lifetime. Mark
Which scale? NH Joe
One of things I like about this group is that we're Masters at QUESTION DEFLECTION.
We should start a political party!
A tough question, and as mentioned, typical of a civilian meaning all the rolling stock, locos, track, etc. But when stated that way, it is hard for me to give an answer that they can understand. There big numbers if you count pieces, small numbers if you count the trains run in my operating sessions. Somewhere in between if you count what is in use on the layout at a given time.
A ruder question in my opinion that some blurt out first is "how much did this cost?". I have a friend whose standard answer to that was "about the same as a golf game every week".
So many incredible responses! Really good stuff. Money! Thank you everyone. It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one who has had to approach this sort of question. I’d respond to each of you but you know, I have to work during the day. Thank goodness weekend is approaching! lol
A lot, but always could use more!
When I look at the inventory...I am ashamed.
So...I say...'a few...'...and let it go at that.
The term 'hoarder' comes to mind...
Q-"How many trains do you have?"
A Lot.
How much did they cost you?
A Lot.
Next Question? Usually after the first two answers that shuts them up.
Us NEPA coal-crackers just answer, "I got a couple, two, tree" (means a lot). Hey'na or no?
Working or broken ?
Too many, I just bought another, and I need to stop.
