A Fun Quiz for Model Railroaders

Like any great hobby model railroading has it's share of fascinating facts.  With model trains you can happily learn all about the models themselves, as well as the real world trains they are based on.  As there are so many different model gauges, manufacturers, history and other facts the learning is positively endless.

Now try this quiz to see how much you know about Model Railroading.

Question 1:  A reefer train car is:A.  A black and white passenger car resembling a referee.B.  A refrigerated freight car.C.  One car that is facing to "refer" to another car.

Question 2:  Classic Lionel trains are this gauge:A.  L Gauge.B.  HO Gauge.C.  O Gauge.

Question 3:  A model train transformer:A.  Converts household AC current to DC current.B.  Prevents robot attacks.C.  Is a type of transition track from straight to curved.

Question 4:  A caboose is:A.  A train car for transporting taxi cabs.B.  Any train car that is longer than average.C.  A train car to accommodate workers on a freight train.

Question 5:  Which of these gauges is the largest:A.  B Gauge.B.  G Gauge.C.  N Gauge.

Question 6:  A coupler is:A.  Two parallel train tracks.B.  A device to see what trains are compatible.C.  The mechanism that attaches two train cars together.

Question 7:  A switcher engine is:A.  An engine used in the train yard to add or remove cars on a train.B.  An engine that will check all of the switches on a line.C.  An engine that can switch between two gauges.

Question 8:  A Model Train club is:A.  A large hammer for straightening track.B.  A group of model railroading enthusiasts.C.  A type of sandwich eaten while railroading.

Question 9:  Which of these gauges is the smallest:A.  HO Gauge.B.  O Gauge.C.  N Gauge.

Question 10:  A tanker car is:A.  A freight car used to carry liquids.B.  A special car to carry tanks and other armored vehicles.C.  A sleeper car on passenger trains.

Answer 1:  B, A reefer car is a refrigerated freight car used to carry perishable good that must stay cold.

Answer 2:  C, Classic Lionel Trains are O gauge, and had their peak years in the 1950s when they sold over $25 million in trains each year.

Answer 3:  A, A transformer will convert household AC current to DC current, usually of a much smaller voltage.

Answer 4:  C, A caboose is a special train car used on freight trains for the crew.  A caboose would typically be placed at he end of a train.

Answer 5:  B, G Gauge is the largest commonly used gauge for model railroaders a 1:22 scale.  N Gauge is quite small at 1:148 scale.  B Gauge is not a real gauge.

Answer 6:  C, Couplers allow cars to connect to form a train for transport, and also to easily detach when they have arrived at their destination.

Answer 7:  A, A switcher engine is used in the train yards to get of the cars onto a train in the correct order.

Answer 8:  B, A model train club is a group of model train enthusiasts who meet to enjoy their hobby with others, sometimes collaborating on a layout.

Answer 9:  C, N guage is one of the smallest commonly used gauges at at 1:148 scale.  HO at 1:87 scale and O at 1:43 scale are both larger.

Answer 10:  A, A tanker car is a special freight car to carry liquids in a large tank.

About the Author

Larry Truett is a freelance PHP and MySQL programmer living in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego with his wife and their 3 cats. He enjoys hiking, reading, gardening, watching too much television, and other nerdy activites.

Check out his resources for all things model railroading at http://www.modeltrainswithlarry.com with listings of hobby shops, model railroading clubs, and railroading museums near you.

Maxim Wooden Toys

Wooden Train Sets

Model and toy trains are an enduring favorite for children and parents. While model trains focus on scale and precision, toy train sets such as the Lionel 145 piece deluxe train set by Maxim are all about fun. This set features a roundhouse for parking the set's several wooden trains, and bridges to expand, connect, and loop your train tracks. The trains connect with magnets on the ends, and there are other vehicles that can travel the tracks or roadway. Farm animals, signs, trees, buildings, and figures round out this set. Children and adults will delight in assembling a vast variety of track configurations.

The Lionel 125 piece big city connection train set by Maxim is a terrific addition to the 145 piece train set and is a delightful toy on its own. The non splintering wooden pieces contain signs, figurines, and a wooded road track. Suspension bridges, a wooden gas station and cars, and trains that attach on magnetic endpoints are all part of this set, designed for ages three and older.

Wooden Building Sets

Children love to build, and the Wooden Tumble Tree Timber Logs 300 piece play set by Maxim is a terrific piece to encourage spatial relations, logic, and design skills. The set is compatible with Lincoln Logs and other similar log sets. Children can create buildings, houses, and towers with this versatile toy.

Wooden Play Sets

What child isn't fascinated by pirates? The Maxim Wooden Pirate Ship is a fabulous toy for imaginative play. Complete with a parrot and four pirate figures, the ship is made of child safe wood and contains detailed pieces. Your child can play on the high seas for hours with this realistically detailed set that includes cloth sails and a wooden plank.

What child could resist a toy tree house that's 3 and half feet tall? Maxim's Toy Deluxe Treehouse has a realistic tree top, under which is a three level tree house for the 4 wooden action figures to play in. Wooden step ladders, pulleys, and furniture round out this set that is sure to keep your child busy inventing and playing out adventures.

Finger Puppets

Don't forget how much children enjoy dramatic play. Children are natural story tellers, and what better way to encourage their story telling than through the fun of a finger puppet theatre? The Maxim Puppet Theater is made of non-splintering wood and comes with chalk, a chalkboard, and eraser, 4 fun finger puppets, theatre curtains, a story card, and storage area. Perfect for your budding dramatists!

The Mystical Wizard Medieval Finger Puppet Set comes with wonderfully imaginative figures from Puss 'n Boots: a princess, a dragon, a wizard, and a knight in armor. These plush finger puppets fit snugly on children's fingers with elastic bands.

Maxim's Goldilocks and the 3 Bears Finger Puppets also work nicely with the puppet theatre. From the story of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, this set includes 4 plush finger puppets that will encourage children to express their creativity through storytelling.

A World of Imagination

All of these fine Maxim products will encourage your child to express himself through play and will entertain children for hours. Even better, the sturdy construction means the toys will last for years, making them perfect for handing down to younger siblings.

About the Author

Katie Franklin is a researcher and writer on parenting, children and child development. She is a regular contributor at Quality Toys and Hobbies. Quality Toys and Hobbies specializes in high quality safe children's toys. All of the toys are selected by experts in the field of child development.

well you can sure dish out some bs huh?

Back To The Basics - Customer Care Fundamentals

"This is a football", exclaimed Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach. At the beginning of each season, Vince Lombardi would assemble his team and remind them of the fundamentals of the game. He believed that only after his team had mastered the basic fundamentals were they equipped to be victorious.

The mastery of the fundamentals is equally important in business. How the fundamentals of customer care are taught, practiced, executed and incorporated into a business's culture will determine it's future success or failure.

Here are some basic customer care fundamentals.

 You need customers much more than they need you. - Every business exists to serve their customers. Without customers, there would be no business. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "A customer is the most important visitor on our premises; he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so."

Customer service is not about you or your company, it is about the customer. - It is about the customer's wants, needs, and expectations. Are your procedures, policies, and programs designed for your customer's benefit or for your company's benefit? "The question is, then, do we try to make things easy on ourselves or do we try to make things easy on our customers, whoever they may be?" - Erwin Fran

Customer service and satisfaction is everyone's responsibility.- It has to be a team effort. Everyone plays a vital role in creating an exceptional customer service experience. Service excellence is only achieved by teamwork and everyone personally excepting responsibility for each customer's satisfaction. "Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is progress, Working together is success."- Henry Ford

Customer service is a journey not a destination. - Serve the customer with excellence, they will become a satisfied customer. That satisfied customer will turn into a repeat customer. As the repeat customer continues to experience excellent service, they will be transformed into a loyal customer. Loyal customers are the backbone of any successful company. Customer service is a continuous cycle, a never ending journey, a day-to-day quest for service excellence.

Customer service is all about communication. - To understand your customers you must ask them what they want, how satisfied they are with your service, and how you can provide better service to them? It is imperative to listen and apply the feed back gained from your customers. Customer service is a constantly evolving, ever changing process which is directed by the customer's wants and needs. Ross Perot said, "Spend a lot of time talking to customers face to face. You'd be amazed how many companies don't listen to their customers."

As a championship football team must master the fundamentals of their game to be victorious, so must a business master these customer care fundamentals to be successful.

Coach Vince Lombardi once stated, "Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things-blocking and tackling."

Business is only about one thing - Serving the Customer

About the Author

My name is Glen Hamilton.

I teach companies how to build customer loyalty.

With over 30 years experience in the customer care arena I have developed a intuitive understating of how customer service influences profitability, how customer retention impacts revenue, and how customer loyalty effects growth.

My expertise is in defining the “Why†and “How To†in achieving customer satisfaction, then moving companies beyond customer satisfaction into the realm of customer loyalty.

My mission is to educate, motivate, and inspire others to service excellence.

It should take between 3-5 minutes to get from the A train to the Amtrak waiting area at Penn Station. Just walk quickly, which you should be doing even if you aren't in a hurry in NYC.

As far as which track or platform your regional train will arrive or depart on, unfortunately you might not find out until a few minutes before boarding.

Platform Lifts for Commercial Applications

Platform lifts for commercial applications are accessibility equipment specially designed and directed towards removing access barriers for disabled people. Platform lifts are useful in buildings that have stairs, entrances that are raised and inclines that are steep. Platform lifts are pre-equipped with everything you need for your business, and to help your clients who have disabilities.

Platform lifts for commercial requirements are available with a unique drive and platform design that makes them suitable for any type of architectural requirement. Most of them are designed for year-round use and can withstand the harshest weather. Most platform lifts are rich with exclusive features such as extra wide toe plate, solid handrail, electro-hydraulic lifting mechanism, multiple control stations, easy to use controls, dock plates, solid platform, carriage block and interlock as well as exterior walls and safety pan. Most lift companies offer pre-engineered platform lift packages and custom designed platform lifts.

Platform lifts used in commercial establishments may be inclined or vertical. Inclined platform lifts come with platforms specially designed for traveling around guard rails in staircases. With an inclined platform lift, disabled people can have access to two or more landings. Inclined platform lifts are available for both straight and curved staircases. Vertical platform lifts can be installed along the side of stairs and these travel vertically up and down.  Usually vertical platform lifts can reach heights of up to 13 meters and serve up to 6 different levels.

Platform lifts for commercial applications are relatively cheaper and do not require much space for installation. They can be cost-effectively installed in commercial establishments and public buildings such as libraries, churches, hospitals, care homes, schools and offices. Before choosing a platform lift, one should make sure that the lift fulfills ADA requirements. You must also be well aware of the altitude that you require to attain while selecting a lift. You can make a choice from battery operated and AC operated platform lifts. Platform lifts required in commercial establishments are available in a large variety of colors, sizes, finishes and other options to match your surroundings.

About the Author

Anthony Robbins is working as a design consultant at Day Elevator & Lift. At DAY, we focus on eliminating several accessibility challenges you face at home and in your business premises, with the help of premium products such as platform lifts, stair lifts, wheelchair lifts and so on. We have an extensive range of Inclined and vertical platform lifts.

GK: Schmeichel
RB: Cafu
CB: Tony Adams
CB: Lothar Matthaus
LB: Roberto Carlos
LW: Stoichkov
CM: Zidane
CM: Roy Keane
RM: C. Ronaldo
CF: F. Totti
ST: T. Henry

Subs:
Gigi Buffon
Lionel Messi
P. Vieira
Jaap Stam
Batistuta
Ronaldinho...

Coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Before you can help someone diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you need to know exactly what it is. To know the roots of the problem is the first step to recovery. Blindly approaching the problem will only prove problematic in the end. There are many ways to eliminate post traumatic stress disorder but first, let us learn exactly what it is.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the stress reaction produced after experiencing a traumatic event in one's life. It is the mind's way of dealing with the traumatic experience so that the person can cope. A person does not need to be directly involved in an incident; he or she may witness something traumatic and that event may lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Now that we are aware what this disorder is, the next step in dealing with it is learning how to overcome PTSD. There are many ways to overcome this condition; in many cases medication may be offered in order to help a patient cope with PTSD. There are any number of prescription drugs that can be found. But of course choosing natural methods over the artificial ones is the best option.

A well known natural cure for Post Traumatic Stress is simply talking the experience out. Confiding one's feelings of helplessness and fear to people the patient trusts is a very powerful form of therapy. Feeling that there is someone to listen and to relate to one's experiences is a very effective way to help them feel secure and ultimately help them cope.

Undergoing one-on-one therapies with a professional is also advisable, as is attending group therapy sessions where people with the same experiences are gathered together and are able to talk about their experiences. As always, medication is best taken as a last option as this disorder may be approached naturally, safely and effectively.

About the Author

There is a natural cure for Post Traumatic Stress . There are many ways to eliminate post traumatic stress disorder.

Having flipped through the 2007 Lionel Catalog, I found no Platform 9 & 3/4 or Hogsmead Station

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogUID=F452DB54-B0D0-205D-B71D2ABDCD39E6E7&PageID=1334

THOUGH, there are generic platforms... you could use them and modify them: http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogUID=F452DB54-B0D0-205D-B71D2ABDCD39E6E7&PageID=1373

I'll look around to see if anyone else has a commercial kit or unit

How to Choose the Best Hair Stylist for Your Sedu Hairstyle?

Every now and then we have to choose something in our lives. It may be a dress, a car, or a job place. Nevertheless, all the time we want to secure ourselves from the mistakes that can ruin our good mood, or health.

Among all our choices, choosing a stylist is one of the most important. Why is it so? Because a stylist creates your image, the way people think about you when they meet you. Good stylist can help you get something, OR someone you want.

Moreover, a good stylist is always on top of the fashion news and knows all latest trends. So, if you choose a stylist correctly, you will be able to get any hair style you want, including the hottest ones, like Sedu hairstyles.

Sedu hairstyles are not only the style number-one in the spring-summer season 2006, they are extremely demanding as to the skills of the stylist. So, if you want to have Sedu hairstyle, you should have the best hairstylist you can get.

Here are some useful tips about what should you look at when choosing a stylist.

Tip #1: Ask for recommendations

The easiest way of finding a stylist is asking some one whose style you like where they have got such a brilliant haircut. People are usually so intrigued about being noticed that they are only too glad to share the information.

There are two options of asking people the address of the stylist:
1. You may ask a friend, relative, or coworker about the stylist;
2. You may simply bump into some one with a good haircut in the street and ask the address of their stylist.

Some people believe that friend or coworker may give you false information so that the stylist won't slip you some of the secrets he/she have heard from your friend or coworker. But I believe that it is utter nonsense. Your friends obviously won't tell the stylist something they haven't already told you. In the same way, coworker knows very little about you as well as you do about him. So, there is very small possibility that you will hear bad things about you.

Moreover, good stylist should remain silent about the information he/she heard from his clients. In this meaning he/she plays the part of a priest in confession. Not to mention, that a good stylist cares about his/her reputation that includes the ability to hold their tongues.

Tip#2: Learn the salon from inside out

When you have finally found the salon, you should learn more about its staff, its services and overall reputation.

You need to do the following steps:
1. Study the salon from outside;
2. Look carefully how customers are treated in the salon;
3. Learn whether the salon have some training programs for stylists to be at their top form;
4. Try to sit in the reception area to know how the business is running;
5. The general customer-friendly appearance is the main thing about the good salon.

Tip#3: Get personally acquainted with the stylist

Times when in the city or town was only one barber are in the misty past. Today good salon usually has from three to whatever number of stylists. All of them should have the same skills, representing the working traditions of the salon and its level of service.

Usually you should be able come to any of the stylists in the salon, and the level of the work will be the same.

There is also very simple test of the stylist's skills. Come to a stylist when he/she isn't doing anything and ask to show his/her razor. If it isn't in their tool belt or on their station ready for use, turn and go.

Good stylist should have all his/her instruments at hand. This shows that he/she respects your time and his/her time, and is always ready to do the job.

Tip#4: Discuss your future haircut

When you've finally decided about some particular salon and have booked an appointment, you need to have a thorough consultation with the stylist about the following topics:
• Your face shape;
• Your hair type;
• Maintenance of your hair;
• Your abilities to style at home;
• What you like about your hair;
• What you don't like about it;
• Length you're expecting to lose during the cut.

Such keypoints indicate main difficulties you should overcome by doing a haircut. If the stylists makes 5 minute monologue about how he/she thinks you should cut your hair without listening to your thoughts, turn around and go. Don't allow to be talked into something you don't like.

Tip #5: Make sure you're getting the haircut you want

When you've discussed the haircut and decided upon something particular, watch how the stylist makes a cut. Good stylist will automatically ask you about the length BEFORE he/she starts the cut.

If you see that the haircut appearing is not what you've discussed with the stylist, don't be afraid to stop the process immediately and have another discussion. By this you secure that the stylists understands you correctly, and you will have the hairstyle you want.

If the stylists makes the same mistakes when you come for the second time, don't hesitate and go to another salon.

Tip#6: Study your feelings during the haircut

This one is very important, as the main thing about new haircut is a good mood. You may call me superstitious, but I believe that if you feel comfortable during the haircut your hair will be healthier and stronger.

If you feel one hundred percent comfortable during the cut, and no single hair is pulled down and no water splashes ruin your make-up, then the stylist is pro and you are lucky to find him/her.

So, let's look through our tips once more to be sure we haven't missed something.
To find a stylist you need:
• To find s good salon;
• To look how the salon is run;
• To check customer service;
• To study carefully stylists' skills in the salon;
• To be sure that the pre-cut discussion is dialogue where you speak and listen to some advice;
• To see that the cut is done in the way you want it look like;
• To feel comfortable during the cut.

Now you are prepared to find the best stylist possible and have the exact haircut you want. You are now entirely sure that you will have absolutely Sedu hairstyle with the skilled and professional hair stylist.

About the Author

Mary Anne Lionel is the hair care consultant of http://SeduHairStyles101.com who helps people with hair problems to discover new ways of revealing their hair health. Visit Mary Anne's web log at http://blog.seduhairstyles101.com

No, I don't think they are compatible.

Guide to Painting Lionel HO and O Scale Model Trains

Painting HO and O scale model trains is a great way to personalize your collection or simply to update it. Before beginning, though, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to prepare. You don't want to stop in the middle of the project because you're lacking the right tools or because you haven't thought it through.

All metal and wood surfaces on model trains should be gently sanded until the surface is smooth. Your best bet is to use fine 400 grit sandpaper. It serves its purpose and its texture won't damage your model trains. If you're painting plastic, most often, you'll only need to ensure it's clean and dry. Since oils from our fingers will transfer onto plastic, you run the risk of the paint not applying properly if it's not free of oil or other particles. Usually, primer isn't necessary for model trains made of plastic.

Although higher quality paint brushes will cost a bit more, the investment is worth it in the long run. Brush streaks will be easily seen and the potential for loose fibers to stick to your paint is higher with less expensive paintbrushes. The same applies to your paint. Enamel paint is most versatile and appropriate for HO and O scale model trains. It's also recommended you consider an airbrush technique for larger areas. This ensures more even coverage and isn't nearly as time consuming.

If your model trains require more than one color, as most usually do, consider using the newer "painter's" tape versus traditional masking tape. It's easier to remove and you're less likely to be left with the sticky residuals common with masking tape. Another product on the market that's excellent for model trains is a liquid painting mask. Application is a breeze and once it's dried, you can continue with your painting project. Once the project is completed, you can easily peel the mask off. You're left with clean lines where your two paints seamlessly meet.

A few other tips to keep in mind:
•    Add a few bb’s to your jars of acrylic paint. It makes mixing easy.
•    Remember to thoroughly clean your brushes after each use so that they're ready for the next project.
•    If you apply decals to your recently painted HO and O scale model trains, be sure to allow at least 24 hours for the paint to properly dry and set.
•    Use warm water to wet the decals with - it easily prepares the glue for setting.
•    As a final step, a coat of Dull-Cote seals the decal in place and prevents edging.

By incorporating these tips and preparing in advance, your painting projects for your model trains are far more likely to be successful.

About the Author

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about o scale model trains. Click here to download a free model trains guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.

well they are such refined members of their community
hillbilly with a tux
yeah right