About
Model Inventory, developed by Woodland Scenics, is a dedicated inventory management app for model railroad enthusiasts available on iPhone and iPad. The app provides a straightforward system for cataloging every component of a model railroad collection, including locomotives, rolling stock, structures, scenery pieces, and miscellaneous accessories. Users can create custom categories tailored to their specific collection, log the purchase date and cost of each item, attach photos directly within the app, and add freeform notes for additional context or condition reports. The app is designed to be portable and practical, making it especially useful at train shows, swap meets, and hobby shops where quick reference to your existing inventory is valuable. Being cloud-based, the app requires an internet connection to access stored data, which means offline access is not available. Users have noted the absence of print and export functionality as a limitation, making it best suited for hobbyists with smaller collections who primarily need a lightweight digital reference tool. Despite a modest rating reflecting some usability issues, the core concept serves as a convenient digital logbook for dedicated model railroad collectors looking to organize and document their hobby assets.
Key Features
- Custom Categories: Create and organize personalized categories to structure your model railroad inventory exactly how you want it.
- Item Cost & Date Logging: Record the purchase date and price for each item to maintain an accurate financial history of your collection.
- Photo Storage: Attach photos to each inventory item directly within the app for easy visual reference.
- Notes & Details: Add freeform notes to any item, useful for condition reports, manufacturer details, or personal remarks.
- Portable at Shows & Meets: Designed to be used on-the-go at train shows and swap meets so you always know what's in your collection.
Use Cases
- Cataloging an entire model railroad collection with photos, costs, and purchase dates for personal records.
- Quickly referencing owned items at train shows or swap meets to avoid duplicate purchases.
- Tracking the financial investment in a model railroad hobby over time.
- Organizing collection items into custom categories such as era, scale, or manufacturer.
- Documenting the condition of items with notes and photos for insurance or resale purposes.
Pros
- Completely Free: Available at no cost on the App Store, making it accessible to all hobbyists without any financial commitment.
- Easy to Use: Simple, clean interface designed for non-technical users who just want a straightforward inventory log.
- Purpose-Built for Model Railroading: Tailored specifically to the needs of model railroad collectors rather than being a generic inventory tool.
Cons
- Requires Internet Connection: Data is stored in the cloud, meaning you cannot access your inventory without an active internet connection.
- No Print or Export Options: Users cannot print their inventory or export data to formats like Excel or CSV, limiting how the data can be used outside the app.
- Reported Data Loss Issues: Some users have experienced their inventory disappearing after periods of inactivity, raising concerns about long-term data reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of items can I track with Model Inventory?
You can track model railroad locomotives, rolling stock, structures, scenery pieces, and accessories. You can also create custom categories to organize other types of items.
Is Model Inventory free to use?
Yes, Model Inventory is listed as free on the App Store with no stated in-app purchases.
Can I use Model Inventory offline?
No. The app relies on cloud storage, so an active internet connection is required to access your inventory data.
Can I print or export my inventory?
Currently the app does not support printing or exporting your inventory to external formats. This has been flagged as a missing feature by users.
Which devices does Model Inventory support?
Model Inventory is designed for iPhone and iPad. It is also listed on the Mac App Store, though it is noted as not verified for macOS.
