Visual Train Caboodle version 3.1

The Most Comprehensive Program for Model Railroad Organization

Overview

The Visual Train Caboodle application is a system that model railroaders and railfans can use to organize their entire model railroad collection. The software has been designed to operate under Windows/98, NT, and all versions of Windows/XP. The software can beinstalled in a matter of minutes.

Visual Train Caboodle consists of 11 components:

The data tables - Include:

Model Train Inventory
Parts
Kits
Books
Magazines
Slides and Photos
Videos
Want List
Layout Construction
Railroadiana (Collectables)
Pass Exchange

Maintenance Manager - Includes:

Bad order coding/reporting
Maintenance Manager
Maintenance reporting
Historical information

Reporting - Includes

Over 80 standard reports

Query maker allows the user to design his/her own reports/labels, etc.



Model Train Inventory

At the core of Visual Train Caboodle is the robust inventory module that will keep track of all vital information about a locomotive, rolling stock or passenger equipment.

Over 35 different pieces of information are stored in the files and will be at your finger tips for instant retrieval. In addition to standard fields like reporting mark or description we have designed an open area that you will be able to user for any purpose. For example it could be used for detailing parts, complete descriptive information that your insurance company might need.

After you have completed data entry you may run any or all of the standard reports. We have listened to our customers and designed the reports that meets their needs.

The Maintenance Manager component will allow you to place an item into bad order status and print a corresponding bad order ticket. Or you may use the scheduling options to place your equipment on regular maintenance. Once on the schedule Visual Train Caboodle will remind you that a given piece of equipment is due for maintenance. Once you have completed the necessary maintenance and made any repairs you will update the data files with information and indicate that the maintenance has been performed and the cycle will start over. All information that is included in the maintenance manager is stored in a historical file for later use.

The database recalculation allows you to assign new values to equipment based on your own criteria (i.e. brass cabooses).


Parts

Every model railroader has a zillion parts. The parts file will allow you to organize and locate parts quickly. In fact you can even specify to Visual Train Caboodle how many parts you want to have on hand at all time and the software will remind you when you fall short of this.

Kits

Each of your kits may also be recorded in the kits file.

Books

Three different screens are used to record all of the detail about your book collection.

Magazine Inventory

This file provides you a quick reference for your magazine collection

Slides/Photos

The slide/photo file allows you to record complete information about each and every slide, photo, or negative in your collection. In addition to the basic data about the photo the equipment settings can be utilized to know exactly what camera, F stop, etc. was used. And if we haven't provided enough fields the description field may be used to record additional comments.

Videos/Movies

The Video file contains entries about your video/movie collection. It is not just limited to commercial information, but you can enter videos that you have taken. The specification fields (start and stop) will allow you to locate a piece of video on a tape quickly.

Want List

All model railroaders never seem to have enough equipment, and all seem to want to purchase additional items. The want list will allow the user to maintain a list of those items that are desired along with the maximum amount that should be paid. This file with its corresponding reports is especially useful during the holidays to give someone specific information.

Layout Construction

In our surveys we determined that most people who have/had built their model railroad had no idea of the cost involved. The layout construction file will allow you to maintain that information which could be especially useful for insurance purposes.

Railroadiana (Collectables)

Visual Train Caboodle is not just limited to maintaining information about model trains. The Railroadiana file is the catch all file to record information about your collectibles. In fact it could even be utilized for home inventory purposes. And like the want list for model train equipment this file has a special field to indicate that an item is wanted.

Pass Exchange

Several years ago while attending a National convention we noticed that there were a number of folks who were exchanging various items. The pass exchange file will allow you to track what you are trading and with whom. It also provides a basic name and address file for your friends.

Query Maker

Query Maker is a tool for extracting meaningful information from the Visual Train Caboodle files. Query Maker simplifies the process of creating your own queries and reports.

Features:

Uses everyday language and eliminates the need for programming
Offers a full range of analysis options (find records starting with, does not contain, etc)
Lets you build complex query scenarios
Delivers results in the most useful formats (on screen tabular views, reports, text files, mail-merge files, databases, or Lotus or Excel spreadsheets
Offers flexibility in shaping how your queries work
Allows you to build your own reports using any data in any format.

Lookup Tables

Visual Train Caboodle provides the following lookup tables that will insure that while you are entering your data, information is entered in a quick and concise manner:

Railroad Abbreviation
Classification
Condition
Category
Trucks
Couplers
Scale
Manufacturer/Importer
Storage Location


Key Benefits

There are too many benefits to list here in a small space. Our customers have reported that using Visual Train Caboodle gives them an exact knowledge of their collections. The reporting had provided insurance companies with a exact picture of the collection. The user is not required to use all features of the software but we know that as information is entered you will want to explore the additional features


Page last updated: 11/03/2008, 10:02:49
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