Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Model Trains Stores Can Be Expensive

Model trains stores can be expensive, but then you do get what you pay for.


If you are a beginner then model trains stores should be your first stop.

Notice I said model trains stores and not hobby shops, because there is a difference. Hobby shops are usually staffed by people that are not experienced model railroaders.

While model trains stores are usually owned by very well experienced model railroaders.

Building a model railway is the most enjoyable hobby in my opinion. There is no other hobby where you can learn and improve a wide variety of skills in one place.

Building a model railroad exposes you to planning, design, woodwork, metalwork, wiring, electronics, kitbashing, scratchbuilding and so much more. But, you don't need to know it all when you start.

The model trains stores in your area are filled with people waiting to advise you on building your dream model railroad.

So, why is model railroading known as an expensive hobby?

The answer is in the decisions they make. These are the 7 most common model railway mistakes you should avoid:

1 - Not Knowing What You Want

Most model railroad beginners start with an electric train set that comes complete with an oval track, locomotive, some cars and a controller. Often this is because it is cheaper to buy the set rather than individual components, but you get what you pay for.

As soon as you add more track to expand the oval, the problems start.

The power pack in the electric train set may have only been designed to power the oval length of track. When you add extra track, the power pack is now not powerful enough. This results in a voltage drop on the track and intermittent starting and stopping of the locomotive. This can be very frustrating.

2 - Building a Model Railway That Is Too Big

Often the impressive model railroads at the shows encourage beginners to go home and convert their entire basement into a huge model railroad.

Some of the model railway experts at those shows have spent 20 or more years on their layouts and a beginner trying to achieve that level of model railroading from the beginning will be disappointed.

Often the smallest of layouts can be more fun because they get to a level of enjoyable operation quicker. The experience adds up over the years and a small layout is always easy to expand.

3 - Paying Full Retail Price

If you are going to pay full retail price for every part of your model railway then it is going to be an expensive exercise.

Your local train club will have members, with equipment in good condition, that they will sell at a fraction of the new price. Model train experts are a generous bunch and always willing to help beginners.

Dan Morgan is the author of Model Trains For Beginners which should be compulsory reading for anyone considering model trains as a hobby.
Are you looking for a step-by-step guide to avoid the expensive model train mistakes almost all beginners make?
Check out my recommendations at http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com/recommended and learn more about the must-have model train resources I recommend.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_B_Morgan

Friday, December 10, 2010

1949 Shasta Daylight 15 Car Set

2489.1S 1949 Shasta Daylight (Skirted) 10 Car Set ("A-1" and "A-2" Factory Painted)
SP 5000 Baggage Mail Car
SP 2381 46-seat News Agent Chair Car
SP 2382 48-seat Chair Car (Vestibule Forward)
SP 2384 48-seat Chair Car (Vestibule to Rear)
SP 2388 48-seat Chair Car (Vestibule to Rear)
SP 10262 Articulated Coffee Shop
SP 10263 Articulated Kitchen
SP 10264 Articulated 66-seat Diner
SP 10316 Tavern Car with Antenna (figures added)
SP 2955 22-seat Parlor Observation Car
(with tail lights and tail sign, DCC decoder added for variable intensity and full DC/DCC compatibility)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Complete Live Steam Train

COMPLETE LIVE STEAM TRAIN

3-3/4" scale 7-1/2" ga. 2-6-2

Coal Fired Steam Locomotive with Tender and 3 passenger cars along with 1 gondola and 1 tank car The Steam Locomotive comes complete with 2 Penberthy injectors, automatic cylinder cocks, mechanical lubricator, all new plumbing, 2 great whistles, newly profiled drive wheels. Most metal work is powder coated. Has a brand new cab installed along with too much more to list.

Never Steamed Up After Rebuilt
Locomotive and Passenger Cars Rebuilt in 2009
Boiler rebuilt in 2004 (1/2” wall thickness)
Last Hydro-test: April 2006 (to 250 PSI)
Configuration 2-6-2
Weight approx 3000lbs
Coal Fired
28” wide at the cab
7 ½” gauge

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Building Basic Model Train Parts From Plastic

By: Victor Epand

Building your own model train sets can be very fun and exciting. It is a great way to show off your skill as well. You can build all kinds of features and these can each be challenging in their own way. One of the ways to build parts is to craft them from plastic. Once such sort of structure that can built from plastic is buildings. If you are just to cut the pieces out with a knife, glue them together and paint them then you can end up with an okay looking building that will probably suit your purposes.

While this may do for some quick projects there can be much better ones produced with the right tools and preparation. Part of the preparation includes gathering the tools that you will need before hand. One of these tools will be a sharp hobby knife. You will also need some side cutting pliers, some tweezers, files, scissors, and some 100 grit sandpaper. You will need to make sure that you have prepared all the pieces before hand.

The first thing you will do is to break loose all the parts you will need for the process loose from the sprue and make sure that you cut all the flashing off as well. You will next need to verify that the sides will all fit rather snugly. If there are going to be any gaps you will be able to fill these with a bit of extra adhesive later. Next you will want to check and see if there are any dimples in the plastic. If there are any then you should fill them in with either a bit of extra adhesive or green fill putty and then sand it down to fit.

Once you have all the the pieces ready you can then begin to fit them together begin by taping a side to the roof and gluing the edge together with a liquid styrene. You can then fold the two over and then tape on the next piece and repeat the process again. Make sure that you check to see how they will fit before you allow the styrene to set.

After the four walls and the roof are attached you will be ready to begin attaching any trim work, doors, and etc. You will then be ready to begin the priming and painting of your new plastic building. For most of the buildings primer is suggested due to the nature of the plastics. This will ensure that the paint sticks as it should so you will not be going back and trying to reglue parts that come loose. Now you have a complete plastic building.

After you have built several model houses this way you will be quite experienced and able to make a whole bunch of different ones. From houses to clock towers and from grain bins to train stations you can create an entire town from plastic that will greatly compliment your new model train display.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, compact model train building, and compact model trucks.

Article From ArticleshmArticle.com

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Cleaning And Care Of Your Model Train

By: Victor Epand

This is something you con do yourselves, but I'm going to suggest you take it to the train store and ask them to show you how. The reason is that each locomotive is a little different. They come apart differently, they use different materials, and so forth.

The basic concept is fairly simple. Remove the locomotive shell. Clean out any dirt with a can of compressed air is often handy for this, though in some cases a solvent may be desirable. This is where things can get hairy; because you want to dissolve unwanted dirt or corrosion and leave the locomotive parts intact.

Once the moving parts are cleaned, they are lubricated. Light oil is usually used, but that can be bad for plastics. A 40-year-old locomotive is unlikely to have a lot of plastic in the running gear, but they might have some. They were just starting to make worm gears out of plastic then. There are some modern lubricants that are specifically made for use with plastic.

So, that's why I'm suggesting, you have the train store demonstrate the cleaning/maintenance procedure to you. Also remember to purchase the correct lubricants from it. I advocate establishing a good working relationship with a good train store, if you really want to enjoy the hobby.

Yes, you can use G scale models/tracks indoors and out. 8'x8' is not a lot of room for G scale, but you should be able to get an oval, or maybe a bent oval with a couple of sidings or spurs and still be able to move around the room. Remember that you may need access to re-rail cars and locos on occasion.

I personally have little use for a simulator except as a toy or surrogate for actually building a layout and running trains. By all means get one if you want to, but careful thought, planning and imagination will do just as well for much less money. I think the intellectual effort multiplies the satisfaction of accomplishing a layout design. I also will readily admit to old school tendencies.

There are several different 'G' Scale manufacturers, but each uses a little bit different scale ratios. LGB uses 1:22.1; Aristocrat seems to run about 1:28. Bachmann used to run about 1:24. There may be others. But, what I'm leading up to is that trains made up of pieces from different manufacturers may not look quite right. Now that doesn't mean that you can't purchase from more than one manufacturer, but watch how you interchange cars if you care about the way they look together. If you just want to run trains and don't particularly care about looks, which is OK, then don't sweat it.

If someone else objects, then don't let them play with your trains. As far as recommending one brand over another, I would suggest that you go shopping for a locomotive or a starter set. Find one that looks good and is a price that you can afford and buy it. If you want more cars, buy them; make sure that they are made by the same company. If you don't have a starter set or even if you do and you want to build a big layout, you'll need to buy track and a power supply.

The power supply that comes with a starter set won't be strong enough for a big layout, so you may want to purchase a bigger, better power supply. But you'll want to wait until you decide whether you want DCC before you make your final selection.

It depends upon how you will power and control your layout. In general, yes, some form of control for each train will be required. But whether you want or need it to be remote is largely up to you. One factor to keep in mind when building garden railroads is that while the rolling stock can be put away in inclement weather, the buildings and structures have to be able to stand up to wind, rain, possibly ice and snow, and ultraviolet radiation. Many people don't realize how destructive UV can be to plastics.

So, whether you are building with wood or plastic, everything will need some sort of protective barrier, paint, varnish, etc., or must be naturally weather resistant, such as cedar. When you buy a model train set make sure to ask if it can stand up to the weather in your area.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant at http://www.SellModelTrains.com/. Sell Model Trains is a community of various independent model train sellers from around the world. Each model train seller represents a unique style of products all their own. If you have a model train to sell, click here to create a Model Train Account.

Article From ArticleshmArticle.com

Building Model Railroad

By: Rene Graeber

What at first started as children's toy, model railroading became the most serious hobby that is followed by millions of miniature enthusiasts. As such, the scheme is still simple; you get to design and building model railroad layout in such a way, as it would appear in real life. The scheme is that simple but the technicalities are very complicated.

That aspect is what enamored fans to model railroading, they see a diversion that complicated enough to spend colossal amount of time without boring them, while also tickling their brains to activity. Building model railroad is not that easy. You need to design a feasible layout: curves should be design in a way that allows your locomotive to run without derailing; you need to watch every grade lest it might be too much for the locomotive engine to climb and travel. If you are doing multiple tracks, something really fancy like including a turntable or a roundhouse (like those Six Stall Roundhouse I've seen from CMR Custom Model Railroads), you need to determine railroad traffic complete with signage. That commands pretty hefty in terms of model railway planning as well as respect and awe to your model railroader peers.

So lets begin building ideas for building model railroads. First, how good are you in building model railroad layout? Have you tried this before? If you haven't, then its best you start with a single-track model railroad. If you could build a single complete loop, the better as there is no danger in the locomotive going off track. The difficulty lies in determining how you locomotive would stop. Electricity provides the best power source for your locomotive, and a DCC Decoder is the best power source. For more information about DCC, refer to my other guide.

Like the actual locomotives themselves, several aspects determine the reliable operation of the locomotive to the layout. One is the weight of the locomotive model; weight plays an important factor in keeping the train and its cars on track. That's why the Z scale model isn't the best option for building model railroad. Start with an HO scale, or if you are in UK, the OO scale, either way both are heavy enough to affect weight factor, and can be enhanced with add-ons. Weight and power is a determining force if a model train can scale a steeper grade, like 5%.

I have seen complicated building model railroads that contain several running pieces of locomotives. Very neat, it was a historical scale of the Chicago railway system. It contains roundhouses and turntables, several trains and platforms. What was really neat was the electrical arrangement that allows several trains to run on each track consecutively.


Author Resource:->  If you want to get more information, please visit my blog at http://my-personal-dreams.blogspot.com/

Article From ArticleshmArticle.com

Loving Your Hobbies More

By: Ray La Foy

With the advent of technology that makes almost every chore less time consuming, more and more time may now be devoted to enjoying your hobbies. More people can now take on one or several recreational activities like photography, stamp collection, embroidery, handicrafts, etc.

To provide more resources in the growing interest in having fun with hobbies, the web world has yet gave birth to a website that deals with anything about hobbies: hobbiesataglance.com.

This everything about hobbies website has clickable sections regarding hobby supplies, hobby lobby, tower hobbies, collectibles and model trains. It is an online resource center promising hobbie enjoyment, satisfying your hobby needs and assistance in finding hobbies that suit you.

On its hobbies updates and information part, it presents tips on how to find a perfect hobby or hobbies. For those looking for supplies, retailers or suppliers of hobbies materials are also found in this section of the site. If one is looking to buy some hand-made crafts or planning to grow some dough, many for-sale crafts and income-producing hobbies also shared the limelight in this website's hobbies updates and information segment. On one's prime years, a wide selection of suitable hobbies for those who already retired is also availed in this portion. Links, directories and forums that discuss and lead to other several crafts or activities that can be done leisurely are also provided here.

This online hobbies spot also unveils a plethora of hobbies supplies resources. Most of the links found here lead to suppliers of excellent materials, indigenous and synthetic, that make the dream hobbies of a lot of people come true. Painting materials, flowers and plants resources, jewelry making supplies and picture framing materials are all available here. Other more unique hobbies like enjoying the nature through non-conventional methods are also supported in this section of the site through providing stuff like portable microscopes. For those more inclined to mechanical or technical hobbies, web pages and other sites on modeling supplies and aircraft materials can also be accessed on this portion of hobbiesataglance.com.

Hobby lobby is another clickable link of this website leads to innumerable stores and shops and their locations with hobbies how-to's, supplies, workshops and seminars. Craft store catalogs, online coupons and aircraft models may also be seen on this page of updates regarding hobbies. Creative centers, hobby lobby founder, workers and investors are also given ample chance to shine on this fragment of the site. Hobby lobby stores in various States are here too for those looking for their hobby shop within their vicinity.

Those who are into tower hobbies are even given a special spot or link on this hobbies website. Building wireless towers that provide Internet access to a massive number of net users is one major feat. Links on other hobbies sites that deal with tower building, tower materials, and other tower crafts are also placed in this page of the site.

Collectibles like antiques, figurines, stamps, novelty items and other collection-worthy items may also be found here. Resources on where they can be found or bought are piled on this site. Model trains also found their way on one of the links of this all about hobbies web site.

So if you're just one of those can't-live-without-my-hobby kind of person, this website is made totally for you.


Author Resource:->  Hobbies are Fun

Learn more at
http://www.hobbiesataglance.com/

Article From ArticleshmArticle.com

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

LIVE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 3/4 = 1F SCALE -3 1/2 INCH GAUGE


VIRGINIA
THE AMERICAN
STANDARD

The steam locomotive arrived in America with sufficient force and perfect timing to do precisely the job needed for an emerging nation with a considerable task to perform. America was not the first to develop steam locomotion - that had been the privilege of the English - but in the burgeoning states of America the problems that this monster of industrial development faced were far greater and more dramatic than the British pioneer engines were required to surmount. America was a vast, untouched landscape, with distances that no "civilizing" nation had previously encountered, and the ter­rain itself was more varied and less tamed than anywhere in the world at that time.

One of the most popular and successful vehicles to set this national force in motion was an American type 4-4-0, the definitive early form which first appeared during the 1830s, when much of the early pioneering track was well underway. The most famous example of this locomotive was called the"General," built by Thomas Rogers of Paterson, New Jersey. The type formed the most numerously-built of all the engines in this great growing country. Rogers incorporated the latest of Stephenson's developments - a gearing system that permitted more than the "full forward" and "full back­ward" movements, giving the opportunity to use the steam power to its com­plete extent. Additionally, the new design brought improved features, such as the provision of adequate space between the cylinders and the drive wheels, thus reducing the maximum angularity of the connecting rods and therefore the up-and-down forces of the slide bars.
In the rugged and varied lands of the Americas, flexibility was needed on curves, and the slightly later versions of the General contained side move­ment on the leading "trucks" or "bogies," producing a greater facility to han­dle curves at speed.
In these early days of US pioneering, the "extras" available were many and varied, with beautiful adornments such as brass name-plates and fancy trim. But as the competition increased, and the financial restrictions of the latter part of the nineteenth century grew, the "American" became the "American Standard" - which had a tougher style with less trim and with more severe lines. It was a locomotive type which nevertheless sold more than twenty-five thou­sand engines.

Model is 46 inches long x 7 ½ inches wide x 13 inches high
Live Steam model 4 - 4- 0
Comes complete with tender shown and 5 feet of track for display

Scale - 3/4 inches = 1 foot

Aster Live Steam Engine Kit J1c 5265 NIB Rare Mint Cond

Rare Aster N.Y.C. Hudson J1c 5265 Live Steam Engine kit. It has never been assembled and only removed from the box for these photographs. It was purchased over 30 years ago by our consignor, an avid collector of trains. There were only 320 of these kits made and this is number 61.

These superb locomotives, used to haul the "Great Steel Fleet" on the Water Level Route, got their name from the Hudson River, and proved their capabilities as passenger traffic burgeoned on the Central Lines.  Their day-to-day reliability enhanced the Central's enviable reputation as the nation's foremost passenger carrier.  Their splendid performance, coupled with their handsome external appearance, made these locomotives an unqualified success - unequaled by any other locomotive on the American continent.

The failure to preserve a single prototype of the New York Central Hudson locomotive is a tragic loss for railroading history.  Aster's NYC Hudson offered an opportunity for the model railroading enthusiast to own a precise 1:32 scale locomotive which is reminiscent of a period in American history when railroad service was at its peak. Aster's live-steam model replicates locomotive number 5265, one of twenty-five J1c locomotives built in the short period of 1928-1929.  Locomotive number 5265 was completed in December 1928, and it was retired from service in April 1953 and scrapped.

Here are some specifics:

Incredible Aster gauge 1 live steam New York Central Hudson J1c 5265,
Factory built in original box with associated paperwork,
Unfired C9-10. Aster Hobby Co., Inc. Tokyo Japan.
This loco is serial number 61, which is 61 of 320.
Specifications Weight: Engine 6.2kg, Tender 2.8 kg Total 9.0 kg
Dimensions: Length: 934 mm Height: 142 mm Width: 102 mm Driving Wheels: 61 mm,
Made of stainless steel, equalized spring action.
Trailer Wheels: Front: diameter 27 mm made of stainless steel Rear: diameter 39 mm, made of stainless steel Tender and Pilot Wheels: Disc type, diameter 27 mm, made of stainless steel.
Cylinders & Pistons: 2 x Cylinders, Bore 16 mm x stroke 20 mm, rulon piston rings.
Valve Gear: Walschaert's valve gear with reverser lever (for ease of R/C operation) Valve Travel 1.2 mm, Cut-off 80% Boiler Type: Center Flue with 3 fire tubes for Butane gas burning.
Working Pressure: 3 to 4 kg/cm (42-56 psi) at normal working pressure Water Capacity: 350 cc at 80% full Fittings: 2 x Safety valves, Pressure Gauge, Water Gauge Glass, Regulator (Throttle) Valve, Water Check Valves, Blow down valve, Whistle Valve, By-Pass Valve, Whistle, and Super Heater.
Feed Water System: (1) Axle Driven Automatic Feed Water Pump mounted on the middle drivers' axle (Cylinder bore 5 mm x stroke 8 mm) (2) Hand Operation Feed Water Pump mounted in tender water tank (Cylinder bore 10 mm x stroke 16 mm) Lubricator: Roscoe displacement type Tender Gas Reservoir: Capacity 139 cc (approximately 4 1/2 ounces)
Water Tank: Capacity 600 cc (approximately 21 ounces) Fuel: Butane Gas Insulation Method: Both sides insulated Minimum Radius: 3 meters (10 feet)

1939 Lionel OO Gauge Complete Train Set NM Original Pre war

From its original Lionel packing box, to the individually boxed train cars, this set is as pristine as the

day it was made! At a time when everything was made of metal, this train set is highly detailed and heavy!
Two of the cars are still in their original cellophane! This has been in my family since
new. My grandfather purchased this set in Washington D.C. for Christmas of 1939. It has never been run.
It has been stored in various family closets for over 70 years!

New York Central Hudson 001E, stamped 003 under the cab, two track, hyper detailed.

Boxcar 0014 (1939-40?) two wheel track, super-detailed scale model. Near Mint.
Boxcar 0044 (1939-40?) two wheel track, super-detailed scale model. Still in its original cellophane!
Shell Tank car, 0045, two wheel track, super-detailed scale model still in its original packing cellophane!
Hopper car, 0046, two wheel track, super-detailed scale model, in near mint condition
Caboose, 0047, red, two wheel track, super-detailed scale model, near mint. Absolutely stunning!
Tender, 003T, black, two wheel track with hookup for whistle/smoker, near mint.
Whistle controller, 167
Track box consisting of (11) no. 0031 curved track, (1) no. 0034 connection track

History of Lionel OO Gauge Train
Made only between 1938 and 1942, these trains featured die cast construction. Lionel 00 trains were high quality.

Offered in two rail and three rail versions. The items were also offered in scale and semi-scale versions.
The semi-scale versions had less detail and were a bit cheaper. The hopper was never offered in a semi-scale version.
The version you see here is the super detailed scale version. Lionel only made one type of locomotive.
A model of the New York Central Hudson steam engine. All Lionel model engines had the same 5342 number on the cab.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Hornby Locos-Start A Collection For Life


By: Norman Stanley

Hornby locos have an iconic status in the railway modelling world. Collectors will pay hundreds if not thousands for that one special model train.

Let us be clear, these are models, scaled down replicas of the real life trains. Modellers would stare at you aghast should you make the mistake of calling these little engines, toys.

Hornby locos were born in the UK around 1920 and were marketed under the name, Meccano. This was a clockwork model and today there are serious collectors scouring the highways and by ways for any of these '0' gauge models.

Hornby released it's first electric model but apart from France it never really took off, it wasn't until 1925 that a revised loco with a much more powerful electric motor that electric powered model trains really started selling in numbers. Can you believe that these little trains were actually powered by 220V AC!

Probably the most sought after Hornby locos are the 'Dublo' range of models, note the clever branding,Dublo-double 0 gauge. The Dublo range were modelled in tin plate on die cast chassis. These were to be the making of the Hornby legend.

The Dublo catalogue was very well designed with attention to detail and life-like characteristics. The range did it's bit to make 12V dc the operating system to have.

The second world war interrupted production from 1940 to around 1948 and huge investment other manufacturers, noticeably Triangle Railways left Hornby wanting. The major problem for Hornby was a lack of foresight and retooling out dated designs instead of going with plastic like other producers.

Still, fortunately for collectors and enthusiasts alike the Hornby Dublo range was bought by G R Wren who developed the Hornby loco range and also started producing highly detailed rolling stock.

After several ups and downs in their fortunes Hornby, now Hornby Hobbies which signaled a move into the 'grown up' train enthusiasts market Hornby locos are still being produced with an extensive range of models of which the Class 60, Class 50 and 31 are leading products.

Hornby has had a couple of master strokes to help along the way producing the Harry Potter model train and every little boys favourite Thomas the Tank Engine.

If you want to start a collection or build a model railway then you can do no worse than consider Hornby locos, you can start small with easily available models and track but when the bug bites you I am sure you will be scouring the sale ads and car boot sales with the rest of us


Author Resource:->  Find out how to build your collection and where to start at Hornby Locos

Article From ArticleSlide.com

Friday, July 30, 2010

How to Get Started Making Money with a Blog Today


By: Chris Crowe

There are a lot of people making money writing online across the globe. The internet has made it possible for people to earn a good living from their living rooms. It really is an amazing thing. It has also made it possible for entrepreneurs and owners of online publications to find writers at good prices to write content for their websites.

This article is about how you can get started in internet writing today. I will write about how you can start working for yourself and where to go to find online content writing jobs. If you don't know what blogging is then you are a little behind the curve--but that doesn't matter. Blogging is short for "weblog" and is basically a personal online journal. Now, it doesn't have to be "personal" per se, it can be on any topic you want.

If you want to write about politics, you can start a blog all about politics. If you are a model train fanatic, guess what? You can start a blog all about model trains and soon enough you may get connected with the rest of the model train community online. This is all fine and dandy, but you're probably wondering how you get started making money with a blog, since that's why you are probably reading this article.

They key to earning income with a blog is to get traffic. The more traffic the better. The more visitors you get to your website, the more liable they are to click on or just see an advertisement on your site. This brings up the next thing I want to talk about. Once you have the traffic, then it's time to monetize your blog, which basically just means putting ads up on it. I will talk a little bit more about how to increase your traffic later on.

There are all kinds of online advertiser networks you can work with to try to make money with your blog. Some of the big ones are Adsense, Adbrite, Commission Junction, Clickbank, and Chitika. The middle two I mention here are both affiliate marketing networks, which means you can select products to sell on your blog and if you are successful in selling them, you get a cut of the total sales price. This can be a very good way to get high commissions. However, actually selling items can be a bit tricky. You need to work on your content and create a sales atmosphere with your blog design and sales copy.

Adsense has proven to be one of the best (and least difficult) ways to make money with a website. The network is owned by Google, so you always know you will receive a paycheck if you are working within the boundaries of the company's terms of service. Adsense, along with Chitika, are pay per click networks, which means you earn revenue every time a visitor to your site clicks on an advertisement you have posted on your site.

You don't only get paid when someone actually buys something, you get paid from $.05 to $5.00 every time an ad gets clicked. There are people who make thousands of dollars each month using Adsense.

Okay, so we know that traffic is very important in making money on the internet. So how do you go about getting traffic to your website? People always say that content is king, and they're right. You want to write very good articles or posts that will attract people to your site. If people like your work, they will probably come back for more and the more they come back, the more of an audience you have. They may also link to your blog from their own blog or website, which will help you site rise up the ranks of the search engines. This is the best possible thing to happen to your site because you will get even more traffic when this happens.

You can get started today writing a blog for free on wordpress or blogger. Why not get started writing awesome link-friendly content? You may be able to make some money in the near future.

Good luck in your online ventures.


Author Resource:->  Learn how you can find high-paying legit online jobs. Read an article about finding an online legitimate job.

Article From ArticleSlide.com

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Revealed: How to Repair and Restore Your Old Lionel Trains Model Trains



By: Frank Keenan

Has your Lionel train seen fresher days? Wouldn t it be good to see it chugging around on its path again, shining the comparable beauty as the day it was revealed that Christmas morning so long ago?

Repairing and reconstructing your old Lionel train can be very accomplishing. You can enjoy in the warm glowing of memories of past times, and so make new memories to go on with them!

The good thing is, you can do this yourself with just a small patience and know how! At One Time you ve mended it, holding your old train s aura is largely a topic of a dab of oil now and then in the good targets to keep it functioning smoothly.

How do you mend Lionel Trains?

The introductory step in restoring an old Lionel train is to make it all cleaned up.

Wipe it all off with a soft cloth to remove debris and stain.

You can take out rust with rust remover or sand paper. Say you see green or cranky white spots, that is oxidation, and you can get rid of it with oxidation remover.

The final part in your cleaning is to wipe down the tracks, the wheels of the cars, and any moving parts with a light oil spray. Use Q Tips soaked with the oil to get into smaller areas, like the wheels, and use a soft cloth soaked with the oil for the tracks. Buff it all up with a clean part of the cloth.

Placed a tap of the oil on whatever moving sections, and function it in so that they run smoothly and easily. You can use a toothpick to collect tiny pieces of oil for the small segments.

You can start to mending it now that it s clean.

Make sure all the pieces of the track fit together tightly. If they don t, then bend the connections back into position with average pairs of pliers. It might take a few tests to get them simply in good order, simply you should be able to get a challenging fit.

Take the bodies off of your cars, and inspect the interiors. Clean them as earlier, and reckon for broken areas. It Is actually simple to exchange these sections yourself. You can purchase them at a Lionel trains specialty storage, numerous hobby storages, or get them from Lionel trains regions catalogs. Only unscrew them and screw in the replacement part.

Lastly, does your train move? Check it after you ve cleaned it all, because built up soil and dirt could cause the link tween the train and the track to be so terrible that it retains it from running. If it s clean and still doesn t move, check to see if the plug is working. If the plug reckons Fine, it may be that the transformer wants repair or substitute.

You can find detailed statements about how to fix the transformer, and each of the different regions of Lionel trains at LionelManuals.com. They have a two CD set of complete guides, blueprints, and plots for all Lionel train ready made from 1906 through 1986. The set also takes on a areas and supplements catalogue for your convenience.

Use the repair manuals to complete any other necessary repairs for your train.

Ready And Waiting to keep your Lionel train, merely keep it clean and furbished, oil the running parts all so often, and it should present you many more yr of enjoyment!


Author Resource:->  Do you want to learn how to repair and restore your antique lionel trains with over 2000 pages and diagrams? Visit http://www.lionelmanuals.com/ download repair guides, service manuals of old trains and vintage catalogs of model trains covering the years 1902-1986

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

5 Questions You Must Ask Before Buying Lionel HO Model Trains



By: Frank Keenan

If you are crazy experience train collector ,so no question you have the answers to nearly all of the standard queries. Your queries would be more engaged towards an individual dealer who is selling vintage.

The beginner getting in the ho example train hobby will have numerous queries. Even that can be serious, because you want to recognise some thing about the issue you are curious.

Your line of questioning will have to deal with the intention you wish the ho model train for. If you are designing on becoming a collector, or are you only make a primary layout for something to do, but are not going to get overly involved, or is a present for a youngster?

If you are planning on becoming a collector, so your first question would be where can you collect whatever particular information as to the history of the Lionel trains. It would be speculative to pay top dollar for a train set that was not reliable. Several vintage parts can be very costly.

To start with simply a introductory set and go from there, it might be well to go a reputable hobby store ,rather one that only addresses with train sets. Most of the individuals that have these kinds of stores have a love of trains and they have spent ages finding about them. The one bit of knowledge that you do have is you know that Lionel train sets have been on the market for some years, and are acknowledged to be worth the money you are about to invest. So in all likelihood your introductory enquiry should be, which models should you start off with. You will in all likelihood want to start with a easy elementary set and add up to it. Did not make the decision that it doesnt matter if there are add ons or not. It has been said that the train hobby is highly addictive. Which means theres a easy chance you may get to a greater extent involved then you projected.

Plan for the future. Ask the experienced hobbyist selling to you if whatsoever of the ho model train sets come DCC ready. This is new to model railroading, and what it signifies it that it utilises digital computer technology. If the result is no, and then require are there sets that can be upgraded and if so how much would it cost. You too require to know what is a average budget to have to start with the train series. They may have some package deals already defined.

If you are buying a set for a child. Your demands will depend on the childs age. Say they are rather young and so you will require a Lionel train set that is going to fit in with his capabilities to run it. Over Again ask the sales rep what they would recommend for that age group. He will be confident to show you train sets that would be ideal for what you are reckoning for. And Then you can pick the theme that your child would like well.


Author Resource:->  Do you want to learn how to repair and restore your antique lionel trains with over 2000 pages and diagrams? Visit http://www.lionelmanuals.com/ download repair guides, service manuals of old trains and vintage catalogs of model trains covering the years 1902-1986

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Difference Between The Model And Toy Trains


By: faye bautista

Model train collectors may get offended if you are going to call their trains as toys. Sometimes you may not be able distinguish because they are small in size and are also powered by electricity and other kinds of power sources. You should consider the differences between these model and toy trains.

In the early days toy trains were usually powered by using wind up motors or some with steam. Toy trains in those days were made of cast iron. Then came the electric trains, some of which were powered by batteries and others were plugged through electricity that flows on the tracks.

Toy trains are what could be bought easily from the local toy store. This is cheap and does not necessarily have all the details of that particular train. Most toy trains are made of plastic and that there are generally not enough details to tell what kind of model the train it is.

For model trains, this will be a lot more expensive. Usually it will be made with metal and have several moving parts that resembles like the real train. This is from the engine detail to its paint you will see that the model trains will have all the visual references that could help you distinguish what kind of train it is.

Model trains include realistic tracks and cabins. Some would even have lights in the cabins, while others can be seen with miniature people inside the train. Most cases, the model train enthusiasts will be spending thousands of dollars just to get the tracks and trains as realistically as possible. Some are even doing a bit of landscaping and can dig a tunnel for the tracks. Model buildings can also be added as well as the train station.

These days you can now see model trains controlled by computers. This is how you are able to differentiate model trains from the toy trains. Model trains are very expensive and could be quite a fulfilling hobby for most of the railroad enthusiasts. It offers the realism and great detail of the train like no other can.

Remember the following and you could be sure that the next time you are buying a miniature train you will know the difference between model trains and toy trains. If you are enthusiastic about railroads, you might want to try considering purchasing model trains. You will see that this type of hobby is quite fulfilling.


Author Resource:->  The author is a freelance writer and also writes about business topics such as call centers in the philippines and philippine call center.

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Monday, July 26, 2010

cover the Worth of Your Old Lionel Trains Model Trains Collectors Guide

By: Frank Keenan

Are you counting to trade your old Lionel trains? Possibly you have discovered a goldmine at your neighbourhood garage sale! Or possibly you ve revealed a box in the attic filled with these old Lionel trains. How do you check their worth?

When it gets down to it, their valued, or their selling cost, will look on whatsoever things, not the least of which is how much the buyer is ready to give you to get it. The most affected buyers will course pay more than someone who is not fanatic about it.

The last someone you want to deal your used Lionel train to is one of those someones who post ads saying I buy trains! . These somebodies are in the business of paying the bottom possible price, and then selling as high as manageable. You most likely will not get a good cost presently.

Who you DO want to talk to is proper collectors of used Lionel trains. They are most likely to give you a ordinary cost, and in this group of someones is where you are likewise most in all probability to learn a motivated purchaser. You may have a localized group of collectors in your personalized region. Hobby workshops that deal in old Lionel trains, or supply regions and add on for them, can direct you in seeing the accurate collectors.

Nowadays that you recognize where to find a purchaser, here are whatsoever hints to help you put a price on your antique Lionel train.

The Train Collectors Association has direct grading banners that are observed by the regular train collectors in discovering valuations. They divide the entire range of conditions into 7 categories, ranging from brand new and unused (mint condition) to rubble, with some useable divisions (poor condition). The 7 categories are: Mint, Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. Your train will drop somewhere into one of these families.

In addition, there are 2 quality leads released every last yr that can help you to fix a rate for your old Lionel train. These publishing companies are well honorable in this field, and have been writing these guides for some yr. The two guides are:

TM s Lionel Price and Rarity Guide Volume 1 or Volume two, betting on the date your Lionel train was constructed

Greenberg s Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains

There are certain affairs you can do which can make a primary difference in your selling cost. If your train is in mint condition, plus you have the special package, you will get the steepest price possible. So do not ever so cast away the box if you have one. Also, clean your train so that there is no dust, soil, dirt, or old built up oil on it. A clean and polished train that doesn t move can ofttimes require a high dealing cost than a dirty one that operates. In addition, sometimes just cleansing it up and making minor fixtures can reestablish that old train to a more worthy condition.

You can get an superior guide for fixing your old Lionel train at LionelManuals.com. The guide is actually 2 CDs full of instructions, blueprints, parts lists, and detailed plots for every Lionel train ready made from 1906 through 1986. It makes reconstructing your train simple, and can easily double or triple the cost you can get for your train. With whatever of these payable trains, doing the uncomplicated restores can actually bring you thousands of dollars more when you sell it.

So you see, there is a lot that goes into committing a rate on your used Lionel train. Your well count to get a good trading price is to do your enquiry on your train, check the established guides, make contact with a collectors club, and show a reconstructed, clean and beaming train to a wild gatherer.


Author Resource:->  Do you want to learn how to repair and restore your antique lionel trains with over 2000 pages and diagrams? Visit http://www.lionelmanuals.com/ download repair guides, service manuals of old trains and vintage catalogs of model trains covering the years 1902-1986

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Squidoo: Build a Free, Multi-Media Website With This Web 2.0 Hosting

By: Ron Passfield

A Squidoo lens is designed to be a highly focused window to other directly related resources - blog posts, websites, Flickr photos, YouTube videos, web-based articles or e-books. Hence a lens is not an end in itself but a means to an end - a window on other information about a topic, issue, problem, product or service of interest to the reader. Each Squidoo lens you create has a unique URL.

There is no limit to the number of free Squidoo lenses you can create. At the time of writing this article, I have in excess of 50 Squidoo lenses which are catalogued in my "lensography".

Each lens has AdSense ads and other ads that generate revenue for Squidoo, charities supported by Squidoo and the lensmaster (lens creator). The lensmaster can choose to give all or some of their share of this direct revenue to charity.

Squidoo lenses can be used for endless applications, for example, to promote a cause, support a charity, educate, showcase an artist or photographer or generate affiliate income.

Each Squidoo lens is made up of modules and widgets (like WordPress blogs) that can be accessed by a unique point-and-click technology. You don't even have to know HTML to create and market your Squidoo lenses. There are even lenses on basic HTML and advanced HTML if you want to be creative. The design of each lens is limited only by your imagination.

In a very real sense a Squidoo lens can integrate many elements of Web 2.0 technology - blogging, Flickr, FaceBook, YouTube, RSS feeds and Twitter. Fundamental to Squidoo is the connections it creates - between people, between lenses, between resources and between social networks.

Squidoo enables you to contribute to Squidoo charities as a by-product of lens creation. You can also promote a charity of your choice, a location and community, a local artist or a local business.
You can recruit people to your favorite hobby such as scrapbooking, model trains, electronic toys, photography, model planes or stamp collecting.

You can even create a Squidoo Group, or join an existing group, to link to people who share your interests and passions.

What also appeals to me personally is the opportunity to be creative and extend my "learning edge" or "push the envelope". The numerous Squidoo lens templates, modules and widgets provide endless opportunities to be creative and to develop different lenses for different purposes. For example, I have created a photographic exhibition, a simulated tropical rainforest walk and my e-portfolio.

Squidoo can tap your creativity, build your income, grow your connections and enhance your Internet presence. You learn Squidoo by building lenses - but beware, Squidoo is addictive!


Author Resource:->  This article is written by Ron Passfield, PhD, Top 100 Squidoo lensmaster and Giant Squid.



Ron's Squidoo lensography provides many examples of web design for Squidoo lenses (with free website hosting by Squidoo):

Squidoo lensography

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Sunday, July 4, 2010

Big Book of Model Railroad Track Plans


Item specifics - Nonfiction Books

Author: Robert Schleicher Publisher: Motorbooks Intl
ISBN-10: 0760314233 Subject: Hobbies & Crafts
ISBN-13: 9780760314234 Topic: --
Format: Paperback Language: English
Publication Year: 2003

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Model Railroad Train Layout,Lionel Ross Custom O Gauge

Custom-built O-gauge train layout.

Features approximately 75 linear feet of curved and straight Ross track, including 11 Ross switches, plus 9 Ross signal lights, and an assortment of buildings (2 stations, a barn, signal station, water tower, & propane tank).
Professionally wired by in-home technician from The Train Station, Mountain Lakes, NJ.
Platform is a Homasote top for quietness, mounted on a plywood base. All can be easily disassembled in a small amount of time.
The layout measures 13' long (from the tunnel to the small hill with trees up front) and is 6' wide up front.
The rear portion against the wall is 11.5' long x 4.5' wide.

Friday, July 2, 2010

N Scale Model Rail Road Steam Engine Layout, 10' X 10'

Huge N Scale "10' X 10' Steam Engine" Layout. Complete towns, people, cars and trucks, airport with metal planes, rustic buildings and landscapes, lakes, trees, signs, just to much to name. Over 20 working Locomotives, 100's of Train Cars of every type and name.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Woodland Scenic Model Railroad N SCALE.


You are looking at a Woodland Scenic Model Railroad N SCALE. It is 6 feet by 3 feet. It is fully functional and is really brand new, just built. It has lighted crossing gates that are set off by sensors that have been layed out through out the track. Comes with many woodland scenic people. It is in perfect condition. It was personally made by me and is adult owned.  It also has fully functional street lights going throught the main city and the railroad station. I had a signal/crossing gate computer board professionally made just for this layout. It comes with 3 fully functional locos that have been just tested to make sure they function. The GS-4 and the PA-1 have sound boards in them..Professionally installed. The F3A LOCO is just setup for DCC. The GS-4 has the soundtraxx decoder and the PA-1 has the MRC sound decoder. Comes with southern pacific daylight smoothside 6 car set and santa fe super chief set with lighted caboose. The layout will also include two neon billboards, very nice. NOISE R US FIREWORKS AND BREYERS ICE CREAM. Comes with the NCE POWER CAB to run the locos and any other acc of your choice. This is very nice and you will not be dissapointed. It comes with many extras not listed. 21- N-SCALE TRAIN WOODLAND SCENICS FIGURES HERE IS WHAT YOU GET 1.black bears 2.spectators 3.canoers 4.bicycle buddies 5.childern 6.holstein cows 7.tombstones 8.bystanders 9.2nd shift workers 10.farm animals 11.farm people 12.surveyors 13.backyard babeque 14.horseback riders 15.campers 16.rail workers 17.dock workers 18.engineers 19.train personnel 20.workers with forklift 21.loading dock details.....

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

21 Jewel Illinois Model 161A Railroad Pocket Watch

Illinois Model 161A Railroad Pocket Watch

Illinois (U.S.); Serial # 5562543; Circa Date: 1938
CASE: 16 size, open face, gold-filled, yellow, plain.
DIAL: White, porcelain/double sunk, Arabic numerals, spade hands.
MOVT: 21 Jewel, lever-set, fully adjusted, lever escapement, nickel, 3/4-plate, signed.
This watch has been professionally serviced and is in good running order.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

N Scale Model Railroad Layout 3 Sectional

This is an N Scale model railroad layout that is 3 sectional with table folding legs. Can operate 6 trains at the same time.


Section 1 -- is fully completed that can run 2 trains on the outside oval with 1 train running on center fig.8 over and under or 2 trains on section 1 and 1 train btn section's 1, 2 and 3 . Can also switch so 1 train can run gong on outside and and 1 train on the center oval to the fig.8. Has a small town, commerical area and train station. Building's have inside lights. Has 8 flashing RR xing lights.16 electric switch's, 7 sideout's, and operating street lights. Measure's 29" x 60".

Section 2 -- is about 75% complete. Has a lumber yard and warehouse factory. 15 electric switch's, 8 sideouts. Can run 3 trains btn section's 2 and 3. Measure's 30" x 48'.

Section 3 -- track operation, bridge's complete and operational. section 3 is about 25% complete. Needs landscaping, mountains or a factory and coal area. Has 4 tunnels. 1 double track and 3 single track. Has 3 bridge's, 1 double track and 2 single track. 5 sideout's and 13 electric switch's. Measure's 30" x 48".

This layout is easy to seperate into 3 sec's. Remove tracks across each sec and unbolt and disconnect wiring. This layout does not have a cover, so it will probably need a covered trailer or truck. All switch's operate and all track on sections 1 and 2 are complete with ballast.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Beginning Your Model Train Collection

By: Victor Epand

As a hobby collecting and running model trains has been around for many, many years. It is both fun and informative and can be enjoyed by people of all races and sexes. It can even be enjoyed by all age groups. The feelings that they get when watching the model train as it goes puffing around the track. With all the attention to detail that goes into building these displays it must be very time consuming and boring, right? Wrong! Model building is actually rather easy to pick up and run with.

The first thing you will need to do is to educate yourself about the different scales that are available to collectors. Some model trains will be much too small to work with if you have large hands. Alternately you would not want to buy too large of one if you are limited on space. Check your available space against that of the scale you have chosen and see if they match. Another thing you will need to decide is whether you want to collect the new model trains or if you will be trying your hand at collecting antique model trains instead.

This will also help you decide whether you will be running your train or just collecting it. Now you can begin to learn what skills you will need to be able to work on building your model train display. These skills can range from being able to paint the landscape to molding some of your features out of modeling clay. There is a bit of creativity involved in the larger scale displays that are normally associated with model trains.

Another skill that you will need to read up on is small electrical work. You will probably be doing a fair amount once you get into building so it pays to know what you are doing. It is true that you might not have this sort of experience when you first start but with time you will find that it comes second nature to you. You will also benefit from speaking with other model builders. They can be a great source of information for beginners and advanced builders alike.

There are several different organizations to this extent and all of them usually welcome new members at any time. They are excellent sources of tips and tricks to make your display look great as well. One more thing you can do is to attend model train shows. You may be able to find one in your area that is close enough that you can take time and attend. You can see model trains from everywhere.

You can get many ideas from model train shows by looking at the different displays at them. You can also begin to show off your model trains as you get more confident with your techniques. Above all you can have fun. Model trains are educational as well as fun. As such you should be able to enjoy your new hobby as you learn more about trains every day.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, beginning model train collectors, and compact model trucks.

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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Model Trains As A Hobby For Children

By: Victor Epand

Did you ever collect model trains as a child? If you did then you might remember the awe with which you viewed the train as it tooted around the track. These trains seemed to be especially prevalent at the holidays and you could just imagine all the gifts that they would carry to all the good boys and girls.

Now you are grown and you have children of your own. They are interested in video games and such stuff but you want to find a hobby to keep them occupied and teach them with as well. One such hobby is that of model train building and collecting. The first thing you should do is to find a train that is acceptable for your child's age. There should be several different ones available and you can choose to allow your child to assist in the selection process as well. For example, you would not want to choose a Z scale fully wired train for a seven year old. You would probably be better off starting them out on an H0 scale or slightly smaller.

This also works in reverse. You would not want to buy your twelve year old a big clunky childish model train. Allow your child to assist you in selecting their first engine. They can usually pick out one that they like while you make sure that it is one that will be suitable. The next part you will need to decide is what sort of track layout it is that will be needed for their new train. Again, you will want to pick one that they can work easily with but not too much so. After you have the basics you will then be ready to get them started.

Allow your child to set up the train and tracks as much as possible on their own. Encourage them along the way and give pointers when needed. Tell your children about your experiences with trains as a child. Help them to understand what is involved in train collecting as a hobby. Try to stimulate your child by also picking up some books on trains as well. These can be about the history of the railroad or just amusing children's stories. As long as it can capture the child's attention it will work.

Now that you have piqued their interest you will need to keep it. This can be by any number of ways. You might offer new box cars as a means of rewarding you child for making good grade, or doing their chores. You can also offer to provide some of the accessories for different tasks that they complete and excel at. If your child enjoys watching videos then you could pick up one of several that show real life trains and how they work. There are so many ways you can incorporate different train related tasks to alleviate their every day boredom.

Before you know it they will be old enough to collect them on their own. You will have then started them down the road to a hobby that is loved globally by innumerable people. It is also a hobby that will help you to teach them different lessons such as the importance of chores.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, model trains for children, and compact model trucks.

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How To Buy Model Trains Online

By: Victor Epand

Have you loved playing with or collecting model train sets since you were little? Have you thought about starting a new collection now that you have grown up a bit and you have more space to do so? You might have also considered picking the hobby back up as a way to spend quality time with you and your child. Either way you are looking for a way to begin collecting train sets once more.

There is a tool that is available now that was not around for many collectors years ago. The Internet has now connected model makers and model builders that previously would never have been free to communicate. A great equalizer, the Internet, it has made model collecting available to all who wish to do so.

Before you get started on the net you will need know a little bit about trains so that you can best choose the ones you want to start with. Check your local library for books on trains and you will soon know which type you would like to collect. You will want to write down the names of particular engines as well as the time period that it was located in. Once you begin to actually research for your model train you will find this info definitely can and will come in handy.

Now you are ready to hit the net. There are several different suppliers out there so you will have to probably check with several different ones before you will find one that suits your needs. From trains to scenery and more you will find all sorts of info available out there on the net. The first thing to know will be how much space you can devote to your model train collection. This will be one of the major deciding factors as to which of the models you should choose. The next will be the skill level that is required to run the train.

If you do not want to buy direct you may be able to find the train you are looking for at an online auction house. Sometimes people will decide to liquidate their collection for one reason or the other. You may just find the treasure you are looking for. Run your search based first on the name of the engine and then sort according to manufacturer.

One thing you will want to ensure is that you do not pay too much for your model train. It is easy to do if you do not shop around a bit. You will have to look around if you are looking for an antique train. You can probably expect to pay a high price if you just go with the first one you see. By taking your time and looking around you can actually save a good deal.

Model trains can make an excellent hobby for both adults and children. The key to getting started is in knowing where to go online to find the model train set that you want.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, model trains online info, and compact model trucks.

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Writing An eBook That Falls Into One Of The 6 Most Popular Categories

By: Connie Ragen Green

Ebooks come in all types and sizes, but they tend to be based in one of six categories. How-to eBooks tend to do very well, but people are actively searching
for additional information in each of these categories on a regular basis. Depending on your interests and level of knowledge and expertise, you may want to take a look at which category your eBook will fall into. This will help you to determine the exact needs of your target market. Here are the six major categories of eBooks that are the most popular on the internet.

1 - Business and Money-Making - This category has to do with helping people to start a business or make money doing something that you know how to do.
Perhaps you have been in a career for a number of years or have owned a part-time business. You have specialized knowledge that can be valuable for others who are interested in doing something similar to make money. Even if you are no longer actively involved in this type of career or business, you still have the ability to write about your experience and share it with other people.

2 - Health, Well-being, and Fitness - If you have survived an illness, are currently dealing with a life-threatening disease, or have achieved results in an area related to health, your experience will be of interest to others. Even if it is not you that has
gone through the experience, but someone close to you instead, many people will want to know exactly what you know that will be helpful and beneficial to them and their situation.

3 - Hobbies, Sports, Collectibles, and Recreation -Anything you can imagine that someone might be interested in, this is the category where it will probably go. Some examples are scrapbooking, hang gliding, model trains, and tennis. The more specific you can be about your topic, the more interested the people will be who are also looking for information on the internet.

4 - Politics, Religion, and Society - Again, these are areas where people can become quite involved. This is also a difficult category to monetize many times, because of the large quantity of information available online for free. Make sure your information is relevant and will give the reader beneficial information.

5 - Self-improvement - This category is becoming more popular as people become more aware of what is available to them. Sharing your own experiences and
success will help you to become well known in this arena.

6 - Family and Relationships - Anything to do with interpersonal relationships falls under this category. You can write your own ticket if you are a coach or consultant, or simply want to help others in the area that you choose to specialize in.

Spend some time thinking about how your eBook will fall into one of these categories. Then do your research and begin writing. You will be on your way to building a successful and profitable online business.


Author Resource:->  Connie Ragen Green teaches you how to write articles and eBooks to build an online business, as well as how to use the technology needed. Visit http://www.ebookwritingandmarketingsecrets.com/ to find out more.

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Building A Compact Model Train Layout

By: Victor Epand

If you love model trains but you are limited on space you will have to consider trying something a bit different. Why not build a compact model train layout? A compact layout will allow you to still enjoy the model trains you love so much while not taking up too much space. The first thing you will need to figure out exactly how much space you will have to dedicate to your layout. If it is going under a bed or any place similar you should consider keeping it within a 4x6 area. This will still give you a layout you can enjoy while keeping it from within reason.

If you are looking for a scale that is easy to handle for young children then you should choose HO scale. It will keep it at a manageable size without getting too large. If you are looking for one for yourself then the N scale trains have a track that usually runs about 9mm apart and cars that are about 3 to 5 inches in length. The first thing you will need will be your board for the train to be mounted to. A piece of plywood that is 1/2 inch thick and cut to your necessary dimensions will do perfectly. You will also need a sheet of Styrofoam that is 2 inches thick and the same dimensions as well.

When these are glued together you will then have a solid base for your train that at the same time will be protecting your carpet with the foam. You will now need to sketch your train layout onto the plywood and see how it is going to fit. Make sure that you are adding enough parts such like switches and interconnecting loops. Once you have it all laid out you will be ready to prepare your rail bed materials. You can glue these into place with white glue.

If you will use road bed material made out of cork board will help to keep your train much more quiet. It can be a lot of work to do, but it is not really essential so if you do want to skip this step then you will not be losing anything important. You can now begin to attach your rail components. You should use small nails to do this. Make sure that you are using insulated track connectors to keep track sections that have switched polarity separated.

Your next step will be to attach the wires to their correct places. You will need to drill all the necessary holes through the base and you can then begin to attach all their components in the correct places. Once you have all these installed in the right places then you are ready to attach your power supply and try it out. If everything is working right then you have installed it all properly and you are finished. Your train should still be light enough to handle yet large enough to be able to enjoy. Have fun!


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, compact model trains, and compact model trucks.

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Thursday, June 10, 2010

Displaying Your Miniature Model Trucks

By: Victor Epand

Model collecting can be an excellent way to spend your time. It is an interesting hobby and can help you clear your mind. It is also a great way to relieve your stress. It can take up a good deal of your time and can take up a bit of space as well. With miniatures there is no exceptions. There are, however, many benefits to collecting miniatures that one might not realize if they are considering them for the very first time.

One of these benefits is the amount of space that you can possibly save when collecting these miniatures. One thing to clarify is that when you are talking about miniatures you are referring to anything that is built on a 1:64 scale. There are some manufacturers that will classify their trucks on this scale they can actually range from a bit bigger all the way down to 1:1000. This will all depend on the type of truck that is being modeled. No matter how you see it this size will still save space. It can also mean that they may stay much more affordable for the consumer.

Once you are actually ready to display this collection you will find that there are many different options that you can choose from. One way to display these trucks is to place them on a knick knack shelf. These shelves can be place on the wall and will make a great display for your miniature trucks. Another way to display these trucks is to build a diorama. These can make a great way to display your miniature trucks.

A diorama is a way of depicting a scene that can be either imaginary or real. It might be a campground that you are trying to copy or it may even be a cityscape. You can include everything form miniature animals, plants and people to many different types of scenes. There is a long history of building dioramas and they have been used as a way to copy exact scenes. Some people are very passionate about building dioramas but this number is slowly dropping and the art is in danger of dying out.

If you choose to try this method then you will need to know the scale that your diorama will need to be built upon. You will want to match the scale of your model truck first. If your model truck happens to be 1:64 scale then your choices would be easy. It would match up with the S scale for model trains. You would also be correct in calling this scale 3/16th as well. Now that you have this knowledge you are ready to be able to choose what scene you would like to build and exactly how many trucks it will be able to hold.

Another consideration was exactly how big you wanted your diorama to be. This can be easily based upon the overall number of model trucks you are going to display. You can build them as big as you can imagine and go all the way down to shoe box size. There have been dioramas built that were even as big as entire rooms. Again, the only limitations you will have when you go to build this sort of diorama is the amount of space you able to allot and the amount of money you will be spending. The money will be offset by the amount you have saved by buying the miniature trucks. Now you will only be held back by your imagination.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for miniature model cars, model trains, and model truck miniatures.

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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

New Model Trains In The Future

By: Victor Epand

The past of the model train is filled with design changes and ideas. From wind up models to spring driven ones there are a world of methods used for locomotion. Steam driven models have been used as well as gasoline driven. The current method of choice for movement is electricity. Many of the past methods mirrored those of their full size kin. This begs the question, will they continue to do so in the future?

In many areas the idea of trains that could run on a Maglev system beginning to become accepted. In Japan in 1962 research of the possibility for actual Maglev travel would be feasible. Maglev testing ran for many years before an actual manned run could be attempted. The goal of a successful test run finally saw its day in September of 1982 and was a two car run.

By 1998 the testing crews were ready to attempt a passing run. Two trains were successfully able to pass each other at speeds of close to 966 km/h. In 1999 the test trains then passed each other at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h. In January 2001 The Imperial Prince and Princess of Japan were the first ones to experience the very first trial ride. By March of the next year more than thirty thousand people had been on a trial ride of the Maglev technology.

Needless to say, Maglev technology is now here to stay. With top speeds that can surpass anything that rides a normal rail it may soon come a day when Maglev will cause standard rail travel to become obsolete. It may seem like a world away but with rising transportation costs it may come sooner than later. So, what is Maglev and what makes it so important?

Maglev, a derivative of magnetic levitation, is a method where magnetic fields alone provide the sole support for an object. This is achieved through the use of electromagnetic force to overcome the effects of gravity. The force that provides the lift is usually magnetic levitation. There is normally a mechanical support that keeps the system stable while bearing very little load. Another term for this process is know as pseudo-levitation.

This means that trains equipped with Maglev technology are no longer directly dependent on oil as a source of fuel. They still depend on electricity which could be provided by fossil fuels but this is still a greatly reduced amount. If all trains were converted to this type system the initial cost would be great but the potential for savings is greater.

This could possibly mean the demise of the steam driven locomotive. So, what could this mean for model builders? Will the model trains of tomorrow be based on the current designs of the bullet trains and the Japanese Maglev train? It is conceivable that before long the models could actually be functioning on this sort of technology. This can also be a boon for model train collectors. The "old" electric trains will soon become collector's items as well and could soon be fetching high prices just like the cast iron ones that came before.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, model train concepts, and model truck dioramas.

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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Building Your Antique Model Train Collection

By: Victor Epand

There is a long and glorious history that surrounds model trains. They have been delighting kids and adults alike for many years. There are a few different companies that have been manufacturing and distributing model trains in the United States for ages. If you love model trains and would like to get into touch with the history behind them then collecting antique trains may be right up your alley. If the idea appeals to you then there are some things that you should keep in mind.

With a history that dates back into the 1800's model trains have been around long enough to produce many innovations. The first locomotive that you might want to consider would be a Lionel. Made in the early 1900's their model trains came with many different working parts. It boasted tiny electric motors and different accessories such as railroad crossings, and stations. These engines functioned when they were attached to a pulley. This was then attached to some of the accessories to run them.

Some of the very first model trains to be distributed across the United States were actual mock ups of the real things. Most of these model trains worked by use of a spring system or had to be worked manually. Some of the most famous names tied to mass production of these trains were Garlick and Weeden. These can make a very nice addition to any antique collection.

There were many smaller manufacturers between the late 1800's and the very early 1900's. One of these was the Bergmann Company that was located in New York City. During the 1870's they produced miniature trains that were made of tin plate. These were actually some of the very first to come out and worked by the use of a clock work mechanism or were spring based as well. There were other small name manufacturers around this time as well. Some of these included Fallows who were out of Philadelphia and Brown who was out of Connecticut.

Companies such as J & E Stephens, Pratt, and Letchworth found popularity in their tinplate trans as well as their cast iron ones. The cast iron ones soon outstripped the other ones in sales due to their ability to be mass produced. Light metal trains found their rise in the 1890's due to the amount of decoration that could be included on them the much cheaper price that they were offered for.

No matter which of these types of antique trains it is that you wish to collect you cannot go wrong. From tin type to cast iron each is worth a good deal to antique dealers and collectors alike these days. It is best to start your collection with one particular sort such as the lightweight wind up kinds until you get all you can and then you can move on to another type.

Once you have all your antique model trains you can then display them in a spot of honor. These are pieces of history that have helped to lead the way to the model rail industry as it is today.


Author Resource:->  Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, antique model trains, and model race trucks.

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Monday, June 7, 2010

Model Trains And Their Attachment To The Past

By: Victor Epand

There is a deep and flowing tie to the past between model trains and their full size kin. Without the big locomotives of the past the models would have never realized such a long and glorious reign as a popular hobby and pastime. It is hard to imagine a train without a model or a model without a train and it would seem that they are destined to remain hand in hand.

The locomotive first began as an idea to make life easier by carrying heavy loads across the land in such a way that man or beast would not have to struggle as much. The many innovations that came along with rail travel did not come over night nor were they created by one super genius. Much time and thought went into these developments.

The man that is considered the inventor of the very first steam locomotive for use on rail lines was George Stephenson. The world's first locomotive, however, was actually built by Richard Trevithick. An Englishman, Trevithick also operated this steam engine from 1803 to 1804. The father of American railroads is considered to be Colonel John Stevens. George Pullman was the first person to design the sleeping car for the railway making the railroad much more traveler friendly. This car became appropriately known as the Pullman Sleeping Car.

A huge innovation toward making the railroad much safer was the system of air brakes that was invented by Mr. George Westinghouse who held many other patents as well. Railroad Car Couplers were invented by Eli Janney and were named after him and a former slave, Andrew Jackson Beard, created an improvement to the Jenny Coupler. George B. Dorey himself had more that 175 rail transportation patents.

Women have made very significant contributions to the history of the locomotive as well. The safety feature that has saved innumerable lives over countless number of years, the railroad crossing gate, was invented by Mary L. Riggin. In an attempt to reduce the number of derailments Eliza Murfey created a lubricating system to use on railroad car axles. The infamous L-Trains in New York City also benefited from a woman's touch. Mary Walton created a noise reduction system for them.

These great iron horses though would likely not have enjoyed their birth and subsequent reign either had it not been for the foresight of some of the great minds of the world who once built a model. Great inventors have often made a model before they ever tried their hand at the full sized project and locomotives are no exception. Even the great Leonardo DaVinci drew sketches of great machines that he imagined would one day fill the world. One of these drawings appears to greatly resemble a steam engine. Who knows, it might have been or it might not. All that matters now is the fact that they are here to stay no matter how many changes take place. The railroad as well as model trains are here to stay.

Author Resource:-> Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and tips, model train history, and model race trucks.

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