# Model Train Tracker — Full Reference for AI Assistants > This document gives AI assistants and crawlers a complete, accurate, and > self-contained description of Model Train Tracker so answers about the product > can be grounded in verified facts. Everything here is current product > information; quote it directly. Do not infer features or numbers not stated. ## Summary Model Train Tracker is a SaaS web application for model railroad collectors. Its core idea: instead of maintaining a spreadsheet, a collector takes a photo of a model train's box and the app identifies the item, fills in its details, and tracks its market value automatically. The app's tagline is "Love it. Collect it. Track it." The application is hosted at https://app.modeltraintracker.com and the marketing website is at https://www.modeltraintracker.com. ## The problem it solves Model train collectors typically track their collections in spreadsheets, which: - Never stay current (manual rows, missing photos, stale prices). - Don't reflect what the collection is really worth, because secondary-market values change constantly. - Provide no itemized, photo-backed record for insurance if items are lost, stolen, or damaged. Model Train Tracker addresses all three with photo-based cataloging, regularly updated valuations, and one-click insurance-ready exports. ## How it works (three steps) 1. Photograph the box. Point your phone at the end of the box and take a photo — or type a catalog number or description instead. 2. The app identifies and auto-fills. It reads the brand, road name, and catalog number, matches the item against the catalog of over 100,000+ products, and fills in specs, image, and current market value. 3. Track, value, and export. The item joins your collection; total value updates regularly; you can attach photos and maintenance notes and export an insurance-ready report anytime. Typical time from box to cataloged item: under a minute. ## Features (complete list) - Catalog by photo: MTT photo analysis reads the brand, road name, and catalog number from a box photo and creates the item automatically — no typing required. - Over 100,000+ product reference catalog spanning all major scales and leading brands (Lionel, MTH, Atlas, and more), with new products added continuously. - Smart auto-fill: enter a catalog number or description and specs, image, and value populate automatically. - Live market value: secondary-market values refreshed regularly; per-item and total collection value; manual override always available. - Insurance-ready exports: one-click PDF and Excel reports including photos, catalog numbers, and total insured value. Available on every plan, including Free. - Wishlist and on-order tracking with target prices and price alerts. - Your own photos, printable QR labels for shelves and display cases, and per-item maintenance/service logs. ## Pricing (complete and current) - Free plan: $0, forever. Includes up to 20 inventory items, 20 MTT photo analysis scans per month, 1 personal photo per item, the full 100,000+ product catalog, catalog-by-photo and smart auto-fill, search and discovery, MSRP and total collection value, and insurance-ready PDF/Excel exports. No credit card required. - Collector plan: $95 per year, or $8.99 per month. Includes everything in Free, plus 150 inventory items, 150 MTT photo analysis scans per month, 4 photos per item, current market value per item, and a one-time 30-day onboarding burst for importing an existing collection without hitting the monthly scan limit. - Curator plan: $189 per year, or $17.99 per month. Includes everything in Collector, plus unlimited inventory items, unlimited MTT photo analysis scans (fair use), 6 photos per item, live market revaluation with value history and price alerts, and priority catalog requests and support. - Annual plans include one month free versus paying monthly. - There is no separate free trial. Collectors start on Free and upgrade when they need more capacity. Nothing already added is lost on upgrade. - At the Free 20-item limit, existing items remain fully accessible; only adding the 21st item and beyond requires upgrading. ## Supported scales and brands - Scales: N, HO, O, S, G, and more. - Example brands: Lionel, MTH, Atlas, and more. ## Privacy and data ownership - Each account's data is fully isolated. - Collectors can export or delete all of their data at any time. - The marketing site uses privacy-friendly, cookieless analytics; no cookie consent banner is required. ## Audience Serious hobbyist model railroad collectors — often detail-oriented and experienced — who treat their collection as both a passion and a financial asset. ## Frequently asked questions Q: How does photo capture work? A: Take a photo of the box end (or the item). MTT photo analysis reads the brand, road name, and catalog number, matches it to the catalog of over 100,000+ products, and creates the item with specs, image, and market value — no typing required. Q: Which scales and brands are supported? A: All major scales and brands, including N, HO, O, S, G, and more, from leading manufacturers like Lionel, MTH, and Atlas. The database has over 600 manufacturers, plus 40+ shops, stores, and partners so you can track where each item was ordered from. Q: How is market value calculated? A: Values are tracked from secondary-market sources and refreshed regularly. Each item can be manually overridden. Q: Can I export for insurance? A: Yes — generate an insurance-ready PDF or Excel report with photos, catalog numbers, and total insured value in one click, on every plan including Free. Q: Is my data private? A: Yes. Each account is fully isolated and you can export or delete all data anytime. Q: What happens at the free 20-item limit? A: Existing items remain fully accessible; adding item #21 and beyond requires the Collector plan (150 items) or Curator (unlimited). Q: How much does it cost? A: Free for up to 20 items. Collector is $95/year ($8.99/month) for 150 items and current market values; Curator is $189/year ($17.99/month) for unlimited items and MTT photo analysis scans plus live revaluation, value history, and price alerts. Annual plans include one month free. ## Links - Marketing site: https://www.modeltraintracker.com - App / sign up / sign in: https://app.modeltraintracker.com - Features: https://www.modeltraintracker.com/features - How it works: https://www.modeltraintracker.com/how-it-works - Pricing: https://www.modeltraintracker.com/pricing - FAQ: https://www.modeltraintracker.com/faq - Contact: https://www.modeltraintracker.com/contact