Are you frustrated because your model trains derail from time to time?
This was a major frustration for me. I would fix one section of the track and the next day the train would derail on another section.
It frustrated me to the point of wanting to give the hobby away..!
A smooth running model train is a dream for most model train beginners. But it is actually quite easy to achieve with a little attention to detail.
Here are 7 ways to stop your model train derailing:
1 - Ensure every joint on your track is level, aligned and properly fitted.
Sounds like common sense? But poorly assembled track joints are the worst offenders for derailing model trains.
Slide your finger across the joint. It should feel level with the gap between the tracks kept to the absolute minimum. I solder my joints because this stops any problems with expansion and contraction opening and closing of the joints.
With a small file I am able to create a continuously level track and have a beautifully smooth running model train.
2 - Check your track gauge on joints, turnouts and frog assemblies.
Another common problem for model train derailments is incorrect track gauge. A tight track gauge will cause the wheels to climb up and derail off the track.
A wide track gauge will also derail your model train as the wheel flanges can not span the track properly. The gauge can be adjusted using a soldering iron to gently heat the rail, moving the rail to the correct position and allowing it to cool.
3 - Check your switch points for sharpness when they switch.
Some new switch points can be fairly blunt on the movable section where it strikes up against the stock rails. This can grab on the wheels and cause a model train derailment.
A small file can be used to gently smooth the moveable part of the points to allow a nice smooth transition. Remember to check the gauge in both positions.
4 - Check all your model train couplers.
A snagging coupler will cause model train derailments. Some new carriages can come with unpolished couplers which can catch and force derailments.
Clean off any rough edges and adjust the couplers for proper centering. The manufacturers usually provide these instructions.
5 - Add extra weight to your freight cars.
I find that most freight cars are too light and sometimes all the wheels do not contact the rails equally. By adding a small amount of weight to the cars your model train will run smoother and you will eliminate derailments, especially on the tight radius’s.
Just make sure you add the weight as low as possible to the car and in the centre, keeping a low center of gravity.
6 - Check all your wheel sets for proper operation.
Wheel sets that are out of gauge, not aligned or moving freely will cause your model train to derail. Check your wheel sets and make sure that your carriages are not crabbing and forcing the wheel flanges into the rail, making it prone to derail.
The carriages should rock freely to take up any small imperfections in your track.
7 - Lubricate the squeaks.
Sometimes the smallest drop of light oil will cure a problem with your model train derailing. An unlubricated or snaggy wheel, or coupler, can cause a slight tip over, or jar, which usually forces the wheel flange to snag the rail and derail your model train.
Oil attracts dust and can damage paintwork, so make sure you use only the smallest amount required.
Now you have no reason to put up with your model train derailing.
It usually comes down to a small bit of maintenance from time to time. With the quality most manufacturers are producing today, and some ongoing maintenance, you can make model train derailments a thing of the past.
For More Great Model Railroad tips visit this site:
http://themodeltrainclub.com
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
How to Grow Your Church
Is your church struggling to increase membership? Here are 10 church growth tips courtesy of DoubleYourChurchAttendance.com
==========
TIP # 11
==========
To build a great church:
NEVER REJECT ANYTHING FROM YOUR PEOPLE:
"Even if all they offer you is a glass of water, drink it. They are
offering it as to unto the Lord!"
As a pastor, you are ordained to serve and to lead your people
forward in their experience of God's grace.
What they offer to you as a pastor of God's children is offered as
to God. Accept it, and be grateful to God, regardless of how small
the gift.
==========
TIP # 10
==========
To build a great church:
REMEMBER THAT YOUR PEOPLE MAKE YOU WHAT YOU ARE.
A good church and congregation can make a good pastor; a poor
church and congregation can make a poor pastor.
Likewise a good church and congregation who are led by a poor
pastor, who has not the love of his people nor the interests of God
in his heart, can be the ruination of a church.
Be observant and thankful for the opportunities that you have been
given to serve God and your people, and the many ways that they
work together to make you who you are.
==========
TIP # 9
==========
To build a great church:
BE WITH YOUR PEOPLE IN THEIR TIMES OF NEED.
When a person is to have an operation, go to the hospital and have
a period of prayer with them.
When a couple is first married, spend some time with them. When a
baby comes, rejoice over the coming of the baby.
Little things like these make a pastor dear to the hearts of his or
her people.
==========
TIP # 8
==========
To build a great church:
GIVE THE PEOPLE SOME TIME AT HOME.
Many of your people are tired. As pastors, you preach to them long
and hard that they should have a Christian home, and then give them
no time to have a Christian home.
The pastor should encourage his or her people to spend some time at
home. Then, he should take care not to plan such a heavy church
program that it will consume all of their nights.
With some time at home together, it becomes easier for the family
to pray together and to stay together.
When families know and understand that the pastor is genuinely
concerned about their problems and concerns, then they will love
and appreciate him more, and support him in his work.
==========
TIP # 7
==========
To build a great church:
EAT IN THE HOMES OF YOUR PEOPLE.
It is good for the pastor to be in the homes of his or her people.
When a member invites you for a meal, try never to reject such an
invitation. It is a mutual blessing.
The people need to fellowship with their pastor, and the pastor
needs the fellowship of the people. Children especially will know
the pastor better when he visits in their home.
If the pastor is kind, thoughtful, and understanding to the
children,they will become his pals, and will feel a kinship with
him, which will be of great value and comfort to them as they grow.
==========
TIP # 6
==========
To build a great church:
MAKE YOUR PEOPLE FEEL THAT YOU ARE THEIRS.
People like to feel that they have a pastor. They like to feel
that the pastor belongs to them, and equally that they belong to
him. Do not let yourself allow your people to feel secondary.
Spend some time with them. Many pastors spend so much time with
each other, or with the high leaders of the church, that their
people do not feel that they can fellowship with him themselves.
Live with and among your people, love them, pray for them, work
with them and for them and seek their good, not your own.
==========
TIP # 5
==========
To build a great church:
DO NOT USE YOUR PEOPLE TO BUILD A GREAT WORK, BUT INSTEAD USE YOUR
WORK TO BUILD A GREAT PEOPLE!
Regardless of your own desires, it is not the job of the pastor to
build great churches.
It IS the job of the pastor to LIFT PEOPLE UP to be GREAT
CHRISTIANS! To use the people only to build great works misses the
point of the Church.
It is the sacred task of the pastor to USE GOOD WORKS TO BUILD A
GREAT PEOPLE.
The greatest product of a pastor's effort is not to build tall
monuments to himself, or even to God.
The greatest work of the pastor is to LEAD a Christian to growth in
the grace of the Lord, and not merely to see his membership grow.
Individuals are important. Each is created in the very image of
God.
When the pastor learns to see his people as individuals and
not as a flock, and to rejoice more over a Christian who grows in
his or her faith than over a building that goes up, THEN he has
developed a TRUE PASTORS HEART.
==========
TIP # 4
==========
To build a great church:
PRAY FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
The pastor should call the names of his or her people in prayer,
especially those who have burdens, illnesses, and heartaches.
When a family is having trouble, the pastor should pray for them.
Often a little note or a phone call from you will be a tremendous
encouragement to individual members and their families.
==========
TIP # 3
==========
To build a great church:
EXPRESS YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
Some pastors carry a little pad around with them, and when they
think of some member who has been a blessing to them, the church,
or the community, they jot the name down, and later write that
member a personal note, or express their appreciation personally.
As a pastor, your people do so much for you - they pray for you,
overlook your faults, forget your mistakes, and make you what you
are. Remember always to express to them your love and appreciation.
==========
TIP # 2
==========
To build a great church:
LOVE YOUR PEOPLE
Ask God to bless you with a heart full of genuine love for the
people that you serve.
This does not mean that you need to always condone what they do.
As a parent scolds a child, the pastor who scolds his people
because he is tired of their sinning and squabbling is wrong.
A pastor whose heart is sincerely broken because of the sins of
his people, and scolds them for their own good (and not his), is
right.
Many an otherwise intelligent, educated pastor has failed in his
or her duty to their church AND to God, because of a fundamental
lack of a deep, abiding love for his people.
==========
TIP # 1
==========
One of the most sacred relationships in all of the world, is the
relationship that the pastor of a church should have with his or
her people.
God is not served when the people are dissatisfied with their
pastor. ? Nor is God served when the pastor has a bitter attitude
toward his people.
In the church, to serve God, the people and the pastor should
love one another, pray together, work together, and give together.
If you'd like more great tips to grow your church visit this site:
DoubleYourChurchAttendance.com
==========
TIP # 11
==========
To build a great church:
NEVER REJECT ANYTHING FROM YOUR PEOPLE:
"Even if all they offer you is a glass of water, drink it. They are
offering it as to unto the Lord!"
As a pastor, you are ordained to serve and to lead your people
forward in their experience of God's grace.
What they offer to you as a pastor of God's children is offered as
to God. Accept it, and be grateful to God, regardless of how small
the gift.
==========
TIP # 10
==========
To build a great church:
REMEMBER THAT YOUR PEOPLE MAKE YOU WHAT YOU ARE.
A good church and congregation can make a good pastor; a poor
church and congregation can make a poor pastor.
Likewise a good church and congregation who are led by a poor
pastor, who has not the love of his people nor the interests of God
in his heart, can be the ruination of a church.
Be observant and thankful for the opportunities that you have been
given to serve God and your people, and the many ways that they
work together to make you who you are.
==========
TIP # 9
==========
To build a great church:
BE WITH YOUR PEOPLE IN THEIR TIMES OF NEED.
When a person is to have an operation, go to the hospital and have
a period of prayer with them.
When a couple is first married, spend some time with them. When a
baby comes, rejoice over the coming of the baby.
Little things like these make a pastor dear to the hearts of his or
her people.
==========
TIP # 8
==========
To build a great church:
GIVE THE PEOPLE SOME TIME AT HOME.
Many of your people are tired. As pastors, you preach to them long
and hard that they should have a Christian home, and then give them
no time to have a Christian home.
The pastor should encourage his or her people to spend some time at
home. Then, he should take care not to plan such a heavy church
program that it will consume all of their nights.
With some time at home together, it becomes easier for the family
to pray together and to stay together.
When families know and understand that the pastor is genuinely
concerned about their problems and concerns, then they will love
and appreciate him more, and support him in his work.
==========
TIP # 7
==========
To build a great church:
EAT IN THE HOMES OF YOUR PEOPLE.
It is good for the pastor to be in the homes of his or her people.
When a member invites you for a meal, try never to reject such an
invitation. It is a mutual blessing.
The people need to fellowship with their pastor, and the pastor
needs the fellowship of the people. Children especially will know
the pastor better when he visits in their home.
If the pastor is kind, thoughtful, and understanding to the
children,they will become his pals, and will feel a kinship with
him, which will be of great value and comfort to them as they grow.
==========
TIP # 6
==========
To build a great church:
MAKE YOUR PEOPLE FEEL THAT YOU ARE THEIRS.
People like to feel that they have a pastor. They like to feel
that the pastor belongs to them, and equally that they belong to
him. Do not let yourself allow your people to feel secondary.
Spend some time with them. Many pastors spend so much time with
each other, or with the high leaders of the church, that their
people do not feel that they can fellowship with him themselves.
Live with and among your people, love them, pray for them, work
with them and for them and seek their good, not your own.
==========
TIP # 5
==========
To build a great church:
DO NOT USE YOUR PEOPLE TO BUILD A GREAT WORK, BUT INSTEAD USE YOUR
WORK TO BUILD A GREAT PEOPLE!
Regardless of your own desires, it is not the job of the pastor to
build great churches.
It IS the job of the pastor to LIFT PEOPLE UP to be GREAT
CHRISTIANS! To use the people only to build great works misses the
point of the Church.
It is the sacred task of the pastor to USE GOOD WORKS TO BUILD A
GREAT PEOPLE.
The greatest product of a pastor's effort is not to build tall
monuments to himself, or even to God.
The greatest work of the pastor is to LEAD a Christian to growth in
the grace of the Lord, and not merely to see his membership grow.
Individuals are important. Each is created in the very image of
God.
When the pastor learns to see his people as individuals and
not as a flock, and to rejoice more over a Christian who grows in
his or her faith than over a building that goes up, THEN he has
developed a TRUE PASTORS HEART.
==========
TIP # 4
==========
To build a great church:
PRAY FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
The pastor should call the names of his or her people in prayer,
especially those who have burdens, illnesses, and heartaches.
When a family is having trouble, the pastor should pray for them.
Often a little note or a phone call from you will be a tremendous
encouragement to individual members and their families.
==========
TIP # 3
==========
To build a great church:
EXPRESS YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
Some pastors carry a little pad around with them, and when they
think of some member who has been a blessing to them, the church,
or the community, they jot the name down, and later write that
member a personal note, or express their appreciation personally.
As a pastor, your people do so much for you - they pray for you,
overlook your faults, forget your mistakes, and make you what you
are. Remember always to express to them your love and appreciation.
==========
TIP # 2
==========
To build a great church:
LOVE YOUR PEOPLE
Ask God to bless you with a heart full of genuine love for the
people that you serve.
This does not mean that you need to always condone what they do.
As a parent scolds a child, the pastor who scolds his people
because he is tired of their sinning and squabbling is wrong.
A pastor whose heart is sincerely broken because of the sins of
his people, and scolds them for their own good (and not his), is
right.
Many an otherwise intelligent, educated pastor has failed in his
or her duty to their church AND to God, because of a fundamental
lack of a deep, abiding love for his people.
==========
TIP # 1
==========
One of the most sacred relationships in all of the world, is the
relationship that the pastor of a church should have with his or
her people.
God is not served when the people are dissatisfied with their
pastor. ? Nor is God served when the pastor has a bitter attitude
toward his people.
In the church, to serve God, the people and the pastor should
love one another, pray together, work together, and give together.
If you'd like more great tips to grow your church visit this site:
DoubleYourChurchAttendance.com
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Healing Yourself and Your Relationship Self Help Tips
Relationships are supposed to be able to bring out the best in us but many times it is the root for needing self help advice. Most self esteem issues are directly tied to relationships we are in. It doesn't matter if you are dating or in a marriage or just in love, it can either make us feel better or worse about ourselves. We strive to find the one who will love us and make us feel like we are on top of the world, unfortunately that doesn't always happen.
One thing that many will try to do is find out if the reason for your difficulties in your relationships is because of the problems between the two of you or is it because of problems that originated early on in either your life or the other persons life. It can be exhausting trying to find the original root of the matter but one thing is obvious, you have problems now.
The best thing to do is to try and fix the relationship that you are in now so that you and your spouse or partner can help overcome each other challenges. You may be interested in reading self help books and utilize different self help techniques. If your relationship is strong, though, there will be no more need to concentrate on healing yourself because you will have a partner to help you overcome. First, though, you need to work on building the relationship. Seek out some good marriage counselors or others who can give good relationship advice.
One thing that is going to help is to never allow yourself to be criticized, or at least don't internalize it. Also make sure you don't criticize the one you love. There is no such thing as constructive criticism. There is nothing constructive about it. All it does is make one feel less powerful than the other and it is used to manipulate much in the same way an abuser does. A relationship is not a power struggle and it is not a war. Quit treating it like that and there won't be any fights to win or lose.
There are some more things that you can do to help your relationship. Where you are separated by beliefs, try talking it out and instead of pointing out where each other is wrong or where their weaknesses are try to find common ground. Take time to discuss what each other's roles are in the relationship. Also discuss what you expect of the other. Let your partner know what hurts but also let them know what it is you want or need them to do and try to offer the same to them.
Whether you are dating or involved in a marriage there are many things that you can do to help better the situation. Once the two of you have worked to repair the relationship and put away any talks of divorce, separation, or just breaking up, the two of you can work together to make each other better people. Your relationship will help you help yourself image and will help you overcome all those things that hold you back.
For more great relationship tips visit this site:
www.MagicOfMakingUp.com
One thing that many will try to do is find out if the reason for your difficulties in your relationships is because of the problems between the two of you or is it because of problems that originated early on in either your life or the other persons life. It can be exhausting trying to find the original root of the matter but one thing is obvious, you have problems now.
The best thing to do is to try and fix the relationship that you are in now so that you and your spouse or partner can help overcome each other challenges. You may be interested in reading self help books and utilize different self help techniques. If your relationship is strong, though, there will be no more need to concentrate on healing yourself because you will have a partner to help you overcome. First, though, you need to work on building the relationship. Seek out some good marriage counselors or others who can give good relationship advice.
One thing that is going to help is to never allow yourself to be criticized, or at least don't internalize it. Also make sure you don't criticize the one you love. There is no such thing as constructive criticism. There is nothing constructive about it. All it does is make one feel less powerful than the other and it is used to manipulate much in the same way an abuser does. A relationship is not a power struggle and it is not a war. Quit treating it like that and there won't be any fights to win or lose.
There are some more things that you can do to help your relationship. Where you are separated by beliefs, try talking it out and instead of pointing out where each other is wrong or where their weaknesses are try to find common ground. Take time to discuss what each other's roles are in the relationship. Also discuss what you expect of the other. Let your partner know what hurts but also let them know what it is you want or need them to do and try to offer the same to them.
Whether you are dating or involved in a marriage there are many things that you can do to help better the situation. Once the two of you have worked to repair the relationship and put away any talks of divorce, separation, or just breaking up, the two of you can work together to make each other better people. Your relationship will help you help yourself image and will help you overcome all those things that hold you back.
For more great relationship tips visit this site:
www.MagicOfMakingUp.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
More in the series by Wade Winger on how you can make money using Google and Clickbank.
Ok, we've learned a little about affiliate programs, ClickBank and
Google AdWords.
Now you may be wondering how this is going to make you profits?
Ok let's put everything together to show you how this works.
First you would go to ClickBank and search through the 11,000+
affiliate programs for a product you would like to promote.
For this example let's say that you choose to promote an ebook
called "How to play the Guitar like a pro".
Let's say the ebook is selling for $49 with a 50% commission for
affiliates.
This means if you send people to the website and they buy the
ebook, you will make $24.50 for every ebook sold. That's excellent
money. (ClickBank takes a small percentage but you will still make
about $22 per sale)
You are making just as much as the author of the ebook. 50%
commissions are actually very common with ClickBank products.
So now that you have an affiliate product that you want to promote,
it's time to start promoting the product.
This is where Google AdWords comes into play.
With Google AdWords you would bid on some key search terms such as:
Playing guitar
Learning guitar
Guitar
Pro guitar
Guitar for beginners
Guitar lessons
Beginning guitar
Guitar guide
When someone does a Google search for one of these terms, your ad
will show up. If that person clicks on your ad you will be charged
the amount that you bid for that search term, sometimes less.
Let's say that your bid price per click is $0.07 .
If the guitar ebook is a fairly good converting product you can
expect to sell one ebook for every 100 clicks on your Google
AdWords ad.
If that were the case, it would cost you: $7 in advertising to sell
one ebook, which pays you a commission of $24.50. That's a profit
of $17.50.
Granted figures change from product to product and circumstance,
but there is so much potential out there, all you have to do is
find the right product to market and you can make some serious
profits.
What makes Google AdWords and ClickBank such a powerful
combination? ClickBank supplies the high quality products and
AdWords supplies a very effective way to advertise those products.
Both websites are leaders in their respective fields and are highly
recommended
throughout the industry.
Both AdWords and ClickBank are very simple to use and can be set up
in minutes.
Both systems can be automated. After getting everything set up, you
can just let it be and the profits will continue to come in.
No website is needed.
Millions of dollars have been made using this combination. Millions
will continue to be made using this combination.
Google continues to get more and more popular, which means more
potential purchasers.
ClickBank continues to increase its product base (11,000+ and
growing).
With both Google and ClickBank growing, there is plenty of room for
everyone to make profits and it will continue to get better as the
Internet grows.
Wade Winger
http://www.GoogleProfits.com
Ok, we've learned a little about affiliate programs, ClickBank and
Google AdWords.
Now you may be wondering how this is going to make you profits?
Ok let's put everything together to show you how this works.
First you would go to ClickBank and search through the 11,000+
affiliate programs for a product you would like to promote.
For this example let's say that you choose to promote an ebook
called "How to play the Guitar like a pro".
Let's say the ebook is selling for $49 with a 50% commission for
affiliates.
This means if you send people to the website and they buy the
ebook, you will make $24.50 for every ebook sold. That's excellent
money. (ClickBank takes a small percentage but you will still make
about $22 per sale)
You are making just as much as the author of the ebook. 50%
commissions are actually very common with ClickBank products.
So now that you have an affiliate product that you want to promote,
it's time to start promoting the product.
This is where Google AdWords comes into play.
With Google AdWords you would bid on some key search terms such as:
Playing guitar
Learning guitar
Guitar
Pro guitar
Guitar for beginners
Guitar lessons
Beginning guitar
Guitar guide
When someone does a Google search for one of these terms, your ad
will show up. If that person clicks on your ad you will be charged
the amount that you bid for that search term, sometimes less.
Let's say that your bid price per click is $0.07 .
If the guitar ebook is a fairly good converting product you can
expect to sell one ebook for every 100 clicks on your Google
AdWords ad.
If that were the case, it would cost you: $7 in advertising to sell
one ebook, which pays you a commission of $24.50. That's a profit
of $17.50.
Granted figures change from product to product and circumstance,
but there is so much potential out there, all you have to do is
find the right product to market and you can make some serious
profits.
What makes Google AdWords and ClickBank such a powerful
combination? ClickBank supplies the high quality products and
AdWords supplies a very effective way to advertise those products.
Both websites are leaders in their respective fields and are highly
recommended
throughout the industry.
Both AdWords and ClickBank are very simple to use and can be set up
in minutes.
Both systems can be automated. After getting everything set up, you
can just let it be and the profits will continue to come in.
No website is needed.
Millions of dollars have been made using this combination. Millions
will continue to be made using this combination.
Google continues to get more and more popular, which means more
potential purchasers.
ClickBank continues to increase its product base (11,000+ and
growing).
With both Google and ClickBank growing, there is plenty of room for
everyone to make profits and it will continue to get better as the
Internet grows.
Wade Winger
http://www.GoogleProfits.com
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