Locomotive and Rolling Stock Database Design

[SpaceMouse]

I know that many of you have fine programs for inventorying and tracking your stuff. I would like to put together either a spreadsheet or database for myself and I was looking for a comprehensive list for useful fields. I thought that I would add them to this post and we can see what others do. Once we get past the obvious, it might be a good idea to tell why you include certain fields that others don't use. Certainly if you wonder why someone includes something you don't you should ask about it. Maybe we can come up with something really useful.

Locomotives:
Model
Manufacturer
Road Name
Road Number
Date Purchased
Built/Unbuilt
Service Needed
DC/DCC/Sound
Weathered

Rolling Stock
Car Type
Manufacturer
Road Name
Road Number
Date Purchased
Built/Unbuilt
Service Needed
Weathered

 

[HaggisKennedy]

Coupler type/brand. Metal wheel brand. Color scheme.

I also add the manufacturer stock number, especially handy for those 'multi-packs'.

Kennedy

 

[IronBeltKen]

Chip,

Here's what I would add to the Rolling Stock schema:

- Prototype Mfgr (if known - example, "American Car & Foundry")
- Prototype Model# (if known - example, "PS-1")
- Prototype Length (identify potential clearance problems - for example, to screen-out 89-foot auto racks from being run on a sharp-curved branch line)
- Commodity Type (example: Grain vs. cement in covered hoppers)

Give me time, I'll think of many more!