I don't know anything about that, but may have to look into it, I'm only down to 89 MB and there isn't much left to whittle down. I'm still struggling with it though.  Gotta take a short break and read some more posts right now.

Filemaker for many years

Gave up on whittling, now have a dropbox set up. I need someone to experiment on to see if it works. Would you like to be the first to try it?

 

Figured out how to clone it, it's posted below, pretty small. If you want the larger one with some sample data let me know, it's in the dropbox at 89MB.

I have developed my own FMP database that I have used for years.  It isn't perfect but it does the job that I want.  You are welcomed to use it if you want.  I have attached a "Clone" copy.  Just start adding data on your trains.  I'll answer any questions that you might have.

Thank You! Just figured out how to clone a copy of mine. Thought I had seen a way to do that, but couldn't remember how, your post got me to investigate further. I'm going to take a look at yours also.

 

Ok, the cloned database with no records is now attached below.

Here is a screen shot of what the data entry form looks like.

The nice thing about database inventory listings is that you can pull the data out any way you want.  Here is a screen shot of my "Collection Report":

Filemaker seems a bit on the expensive side, any other options?

 

It is, but once you have it you can upgrade every few years for a bit less, but even the upgrades are still a little pricy.

 

I used to use Alpha 4 (DOS), then they changed it to Alpha 5 for Windows and I think it costs more than Filemaker now and I don't like it as well. Haven't liked it since it went to Windows.

 

There is Access, which I never have liked. Then there is Excel.

 

I looked at Yard Office and Easy Model Railroad Inventory a couple years ago and they weren't too bad, and not very expensive (see my post on the first page of this thread about half way down for links). I kind of liked both of these with Yard Office probably my favorite. There was something I wanted it to do that it wouldn't. None of them do everything you want, but they may do enough to satisfy most folks?

 

RailRide posted a link to RR Trains 2000 (previous page also). I was going to take a look at that myself, says it's freeware.

 

If you already have Excel, that's probably the quickest and easiest. I have a want list made in Excel, it has a lot less data than my Filemaker database. That's what I usually give to my LHS for pre-orders. After ordering I put them in Filemaker with more info.

 

I use File maker also, yes it is a bit expensive but I use it to keep my skills up.  I have most of the MTH barcode data base for each catalog, need to catch up on the last few.  I also have almost all of the MTH pictures.  I keep the MTH data external to my personal database, that relational thing.  I hope to add Lionel, Atlas, K-Line, and Weaver catalog data too.  Help if anyone has it please.  Here is a screen shot.

 

 The data on the left side is my data - the right is catalog data.

You really don't get the feel of it until you actually use it.  I print a report to a pdf file and save it so I can access it from my smart phone while shopping.

Dan

What are you guys using for train inventory?  

I just completed my first inventory.  Insurance company liked detailed spreadsheet. Nothing fancy, just a list I put together.

Sure like some of the screen shots you all made.

I would prefer an on-line inventory, so I could access my inventory on the go & from anywhere.

I haven't tried it yet but Woodland Scenics has an app for that.

 

If I ever upgrade my phone something like this would be nice.

 

 

I use an OpenOffice spreadsheet.  Simple and does what I need it to do.

 

OpenOffice is a full office suite and is MS Office compatible (if you can use MS Office, you will be able to use OpenOffice).  It has a word processor, spreadsheet, database program, and more.  And best of all, it is 100% FREE.  I've been using it for years.

 

Andy

Memory - now, at my age, there's a fool's errand. And I have...stuff.

 

This leads to my variation on the "Oh, I already have..." and "Why do I have 4...":

mine method usually yields "When the heck did I buy THAT?"

 

If I ever set up a reasonably organized system, it will no doubt be on paper, using a

pencil. 25 years of being a Computer Programmer/Code Writer (or whatever they call us now - I'm 10 years retired) has left me with a permanent aversion to keyboards.

I'm on one right now, but not for long; after about an hour I'm so done.