Easy Model Railroad Inventory

[taholmes160]

Hi Guys:

This may have been asked before, but I'll ask again in case its changed

Are there any users of EMRI (Easy Model Railroad Interface) in the group?  I am using it, and I like it but would like to talk some things over with experienced users

Thanks

TIM

[narrowminded]

Hi Guys:

Are there any users of EMRI (Easy Model Railroad Interface) in the group?  I am using it, and I like it but would like to talk some things over with experienced users

Thanks

TIM

I just loaded this a week ago and did the most cursory look and load attempts.  Some success but want some different headings and such.  I need to read the intro and help sections as my wants are probably answered there.  I'll follow this with interest.   One surprise I had was my loco count at 100+.   That's about double what I would have guessed.

[taholmes160]

WOWZERS -- 100 Locos -- thats kinda mind blowing -- ive got 3 and cant wait to expand my roster!

The big thing that I am looking for is a way to adjust the format of the waybills and car cards (Colored headings, various sizes etc) or a way to export the data that goes into them so I can create them in access or excel -- theres a lot of other stuff I really like in the program, but the waybill portion is quite limited.  Ive tried to contact the author and have gotten no where

TIM

[narrowminded]

I realize this program has features that go into operations and waybill printing which is way beyond my initial interest although that could change as I get a better handle on what's in all of those boxes.   My initial interest is to get a decent inventory for storage location and access to specific cars, working from a list. 

At this point, what I'd like is the original manufacturers' part numbers, road number and reporting marks, proper era, possibly some running and maintenance notes, and especially the exact location in my storage.  It would help accessing cars and for returning to the proper location when storing.  I currently have uniform sized "pizza boxes" that hold about 32 cars each and arithmetic says that's about 300+ cars.  Those have been working fine.  When I first got the boxes and loaded them I marked the ends with a number and brief description of what's in each by type, knowing that I would have to come up with a proper "inventory" system.   And as I've used this I find that I really need a proper system.  And all of that lands me right here.

[nkalanaga]

If all you want is the inventory, a good spreadsheet program will do that, and allow you to use any subjects and headings you like.

If you don't already have one, such as Excel, OpenOffice has a good one, free, that will work on almost any system.

[EL3632]

I use two Google sheets to keep track of my 488 engines and approximately 1,000+ pieces of rolling stock. I have never heard of this program before, I will look into it, but will probably keep the sheets for portability sake (can access on phone & PC).

[wazzou]

I've heard good things about another program called Yard Office.


http://www.musicmixradio.com/yardoffice/index.html

[nkalanaga]

OpenOffice is an open-source competitor for Microsoft Office, and can handle the MS file types.  I have it, and have used it at work, years ago.  The office computer didn't have Excel, and the company didn't want to buy a license for every computer, so I installed OpenOffice to read the Excel spreadsheets Management kept sending us.  Makes sense to send operators files that their computer can't read...

My home computer has MS Office 2002, which is all I need, so I don't use the OpenOffice, but it's there, free, and it works.

[JMaurer1]

I use Excel as well. As for the 'add ons' you are asking for, Trove star usually has that info.

[rhwood]

Does the EMRI vendor have a site? Every link I can find is either broken or leads to a domain-for-sale kind of site.

[taholmes160]

No, it does not -- its zombie-ware

its being hosted by a concerned citizen -- heres the link for it

https://www.pdc.ca/rr/freebies/

there is ABSOLUTELY no support available

[kscessandriver]

I've heard good things about another program called Yard Office.


http://www.musicmixradio.com/yardoffice/index.html

At one point, I was using Easy Model Railroad Inventory. I then found Yard Office. I don't remember why, but I moved over to Yard Office quickly, mostly because of support I'd imagine. One is a zombie, one is still a supported program. They both work well, I just found that Yard Office did what I wanted better.

At the end of the day, there's only so many ways to make a database.

[nkalanaga]

Looks like a good program if you want more than just an inventory.  And I like that you can get a functioning basic version free, or pay for the extras if you want them.  Too many programs offer a stripped, or time-limited, version, that won't really show what it can do, and doesn't let you play with it long enough to make an informed decision.