All About HO Model Trains

By Ferdinand Emy

Model trains have been around for nearly as long as real trains have. They have been designed and manufactured by companies from various parts of the world, with very various specifications. This is specially true for models built in the first decades of the last century.

As time passed by, scales and standards were established between companies that produced model trains and accessories for them. Companies who began working with other companies had to establish standards so as to make products and accessories that were compatible.

On the other hand, the fair and the customers discovered that they liked a good number of trains excellent than others, and so the specifications that were preferred stayed, and those that were not tended to disappear.

Scales are one of the most common standards that are used for model trains. A scale is a measure of the relationship of dimensions of a model train compared to a actual train. It's measured in ratios. A ratio consists of 2 numbers separated by a colon. The first number is Regularly one, while the second number represents how much of a given measurement corresponds to actual dimensions.

For example, a scale of 1:40 means that if something measures one inch on a model train, it will measure 40 inches on a actual train

The most common scale used in English speaking countries is the HO scale. HO model trains use this scale to keep their proportions equal to the proportions of the trains they are representing.

Although the nomenclature is HO model trains, in the United States of America, Japan and Australia, the rest of the countries know it as H0 model trains, with the letter O replaced by the number zero. Both nomenclatures HO model trains and H0 model trains pronounce the letter O or the zero as oh.

HO model trains employ a scale of 1:87, which makes then one of the littleest model trains in the shop . In fact the term HO model trains, comes from the fact that they are almost twice as little as the O scale, which is 1:43. Therefore, they were called Half model trains, or HO model trains for short.

HO model trains are so renowned that there are literally thousands of models created with diverse materials. Prices can be as cheap as fifty or a hundred dollars or they can range up to thousands of dollars, depending on quality, materials, and level of assembly needed. Their popularity also means that its relatively easy to buy HO model trains accessories and tracks.

All in all, HO model trains are a very good choice for taking up model railroading. They can be inexpensive, simple to get and with a good balance between detail and size. - 21392

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There are important things you must take into account before spending money on Hobbies Train head over now and learn the basics of hobby train

Lowering Your Monthly 4x4 Insurance Rates

By Susan Reynolds

4x4 insurance rates are often higher than the rates for other vehicles and take extra effort to find good rates for. Your 4x4 will be seen by insurers as extra risky and more hazardous, making your insurance rates much higher. You can avoid these prices by taking the right actions. The most important factor to getting low rates is to search online for multiple different quotes.

Since 4x4s stand out more than regular cars, they will end up receiving more vandalism and will get stolen more often. While getting your quote, reassure your agent that you will keep your vehicle out of sight when it is not being used. This may mean keeping it in a garage or behind your home. By doing this it is at a lower risk for incurring damage, so you will be offered lower rates. These cases are particularly common in areas of the inner city.

If you have previous experience driving a 4x4 then you may be eligible for a lower rate. While this is not always the case you should ask your insurance agent if it makes a difference. Also by having more experience you will be less likely to get into an accident ad you will know how your vehicle responds better.

Keeping your driving record clean is always an important part to getting low insurance rates. The fewer claims you have on your record, the better. If an insurance agent sees you already have several different claims they will charge you even more for insurance just because you are at a higher risk. If you manage to go for a period of time without any claims you may subject for a claims bonus, a discount given to drivers after about a year of claims-free driving. Mention that you this and your insurance agent will work to get you the best rates possible. Sometimes you may want to pay for an accident yourself just to save money that may add up to more if spend on increased rates from claims. This only works if the accident was very small and with little damage.

The security of your 4x4 will always be looked at before you get a final rate on insurance. Agents will ask what type of features it has and what category the safely standards are. If you have a category 1 or 2 4x4 you can get lower rates. Better security insures that your vehicle will be less likely to be damaged or stolen.

Military personal, including those from the National Guard, can take advantage of special discounts. Even if you are not a part of the military you should always be on the watch for discounts that may help you. Search online for the best quotes before going to visit your insurance agents personally. - 21392

About the Author:

Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Car Insurance Options.

Find Your Engine for Sale Online

By Mike Dankle

Blow your engine? Don't blow your top. Losing an engine doesn't mean you have to blow your budget buying a new car. In fact, $800 can get you a remanufactured engine so you can get your wheels back on the road. With access to the Internet, finding the right engine for sale should be easy.

Try buying a quality used car for less than $1,000. Since any car you can start is worth at least $500, you really can't buy anything better than a beater for less than $1,000.

With just a small investment in remanufactured engine, however, you can get your car rolling down the road again. If you liked your car, you should fix it. Finding the exact engine for sale on the web is easy as pie.

Experienced shops will make your experience easy, however. Always be sure the company you work with is experienced in the industry. Engines can get complex. You don't want to receive the wrong model. An experienced company will know the issues involved for the engine you're looking for.

If you're worried about receiving the engine through the mail, don't fret it. These online shops can have the engine shipped right to your garage or the grounds of your auto mechanic.

Most shops offer reasonable shipping rates just to be competitive in the online market. They wouldn't be in business if they couldn't deliver their product for a reasonable fee.

Any questions? Field them to the shop personnel through a phone conversation. Make sure you know the make and model of the car you're trying to fix, however.

Ask for a full, money back guarantee. Most shops will guarantee their engines and even provide a detailed history of the engine so you can be sure you're not buying a lemon. - 21392

About the Author:

The author is a skilled mechanic who understands what you should look for when a engine for sale is on the market place and has created various articles relating to the benefits of adding aremanufactured engine to increase the life of your vehicle.

Salt Lake City Impound Auto Sales - Getting Your Car the Easy Way

By Davion Wong

The Salt Lake City impound auto sales happens every Friday except on holidays. If you need a used car and don't want a difficult process, this auction is the one you have been looking for.

You can choose from impounded used vehicles that range from standard and midsized cars to vans, luxury cars, SUVs and trailers. These vehicles were gathered from anywhere in the city and have not been claimed. There are at least 20 vehicles that are sold every auction day.

Photos of used cars at Salt Lake City auctions are available online. Just click the link of the auction date which is activated when information is available.

You need to know some additional auction information and rules. You are allowed to do the vehicle inspections on the day of the sale. It begins at 11:30 A.M. However, you are not allowed inside your prospect vehicle during the inspection. You may ask any of the auction employees for your queries.

In order to be qualified and registered at the car auction sale at Salt Lake City, you must be at least 16 years old. You have to be physically present and with a valid US driver's license. Registration starts at 11:30 A.M. and ends at 12:45 P.M. on the day of the auction.

You will be given a bid number which is available east of the auction lot. A parking facility is also on the same location. You will be allowed to enter the auction lot if you have a bid number.

One rule that you should bear in mind is that all vehicle purchases are final and are sold as is. No refund will be given after the sale that is why it is important that you consider your car needs before finalizing the transaction. Beginners do not have to worry because instructions will be given by the auctioneer. Payment closes at 2:00 P.M. on the auction day.

You have to remove the vehicle you purchased from the impound lot by 5:00 P.M. You will be charged a storage fee of $17.00 per day for any vehicle or property left inside the lot after closing time. The auctioneer will not supply tools, batteries, jumper cables, air, gasoline, towing lines or other tools that you might need to remove the vehicle. Furthermore, there is no mechanical work allowed on the lot. You may contact the car auction sale at Salt Lake City by visiting their website. - 21392

About the Author:

Want to know more about cheap public car auctions such as where to find cheap public car auctions in your locality? For further reading, check out this on seized car auctions.

Lee Petty: A Lifetime In Stock Car Racing

By Ross Everett

Though his fame would be eclipsed by his son Richard, Lee Petty was a very successful race car driver in his own right and a pioneer during the early days of the sport. His legacy includes not only his son, better known to NASCAR fans as "The King" Richard Petty and Petty Enterprises has fielded race teams for four generations.

Lee Petty was one of the first to take a businesslike approach to the sport of stock car race in an era when many teams and drivers still supplemented their income via bootlegging and running moonshine. He raced in the very first NASCAR stock car race ever on June 19th, 1949. Among his many firsts in the sport is the dubious distinction of bringing out the first caution flag in NASCAR history. To chronicle his achievements in the sport in a nutshell, he won 50 Cup races, including the first one ever on a paved track. He also caused his share of trouble and was never afraid to mix it up. He once hit Curtis Turner over the head with a wrench after a race, and another time got into a fistfight during the pre race festivities. Lees two sons quickly joined the skirmish but the fight was ended by Mrs. Petty (Richards grandmother) swinging her purse"made heavier than the typical pocketbook by the .44 handgun she carried inside.

Back on the track, Lee won three NASCAR championships (the forerunner to todays Sprint Cup) in his career. He also got his son in the business, but things didnt get off to a good start for his offspring. Lees son would only race 9 times his first season ending up in the wall more often than not, and more than one occasion being put there by his own dad. Of course his son eventually turned things around, and went on to win a staggering 200 races. He is now known simply as The King"Richard Petty.

Lee's career as a driver was cut short due to a bad accident at the 1961 Daytone 500. His car hit a guard rail, flipped over a few times and caused a number of broken bones and internal injuries. He tried to race a few times upon his recovery before retiring for good in 1964. He was involved in the management of Petty Engineering for awhile, but soon stepped away content in the knowledge that it was being well run by sons Richard and Maurice. He was never one to seek the limelight, and spent the rest of his life enjoying his success and that of his family. An avid golfer, he played frequently until a few months before his death in 2000 at age 86 after surgery to treat a stomach aneurysm.

Lee Petty holds a few NASCAR records that may never be broken. He finished in the top five 231 times out of 427 races, and still holds the mark for best average finish for a full time driver at 7.6th place. Making this level of success all the more impressive, it was done in an era before big money sponsorships, on poorly maintained tracks and against legitimate criminals who spent most of their time bootlegging moonshine. The fact that Petty enjoyed so much success in that era is a credit to his toughness, dedication and courage. - 21392

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a consulting handicapper for Sports-1 and an authority on UFC betting. He's a published expert on sports handicapping and stock investing theory. He contributes to a number of online media outlets providing insight on how to bet on CFL football, MMA and boxing.