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Guide to Couplers for Model Railroad Trains Toys

Couplers are used to connect various model railroad train cars together. Couplers are typically either hook or knuckle type. Couplers have three distinct criteria. First, they must join the cars when the cars are pushed against each other. Second, the coupler needs to be able to be uncoupled. Third, from the manufacturer’s perspective, the coupler must be inexpensive to produce. Additionally, model railroad train enthusiasts prefer a coupler that looks realistic.

Horn hook couplers are the “standard” couplers usually included with a purchased model railroad train set. Horn hooks are typically included on trains toys. The horn-hook looks like a hook or the handle end of a cane, which joins the cars together. As the model railroad train cars are pushed together, the spring-action of the hooks connects them. The couplers rely on side-to-side pressure to hold the cars together. This can create problems when backing up the train as the pressure is loosened, possibly causing derailment. To uncouple a car, you can either lift it off the track and release the hook or use a device (such as a toothpick) to pop the train cars apart. For the casual model railroad train fan, horn hook couplers are usually sufficient.

Knuckle couplers resemble a person’s knuckles and look more realistic when compared to real-life trains. The knuckle couplers join together much as two hands are joined together fingers-to-fingers. This creates a fairly tight fit that will hold the train cars together around curves and in reverse. To uncouple the train cars, you can install magnetic un-couplers. They work by separating train cars as they pass over a magnet mounted under the track. The couplers contain one or two magnetized pins that sit just above track level. When the train is stopped over the magnet and then reversed, the cars become uncoupled. Alternatively, you can disconnect the cars by using a disconnect tool such as the “Switchman.” This tool is inserted in the knuckle couplers and rotated to pop the train cars apart. With this tool, you can uncouple train cars from anywhere on the track.

A model train railroad enthusiast might consider converting from a hook-style to a knuckle-style coupler to provide a more realistic and easier-to-operate system. The conversion could be costly as you might need to build shims to keep the pins and couplers at the correct train-to-track height. This is especially important when lining up knuckle-style couplers with magnetic de-couplers. If you have an extra train car, you might consider leaving it with one hook-style end and one knuckle-style end for ease of moving train cars around your track.

For a trains toy, the standard coupler is usually the best choice as children are often not as careful with their toys as a true model railroad fan. However, if your child’s interest in his trains toy is growing, you might consider upgrading him to a railroad train model set and teach him how to convert the couplers.

Visiting your local hobby shop will provide you with a large amount of model railroad train sets, couplers, tracks, and all accessories to create your own railroad world. Additionally, the staff will be able to assist you by answering questions or concerns.

About the Author

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

Business Models and Its Applicability for Indian Public Sector Companies

A business model (also called a business design) is the mechanism by which a business intends to generate revenue and profits. It is a summary of how a company plans to serve its customers. It involves both strategy and implementation. It is the totality of:

·        How it will select its customers

·        How it defines and differentiates its product offerings

·        How it creates utility for its customers

·        How it acquires and keeps customers

·        How it goes to the market (promotion strategy and distribution strategy)

·        How it defines the tasks to be performed

·        How it configures its resources

·        How it captures profit

Business models converts new technology into economic value. A business model draws on a multitude of business subjects, including economics, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing operations and strategy.

The main components of Business Model are

·        Value proposition

·        Market Segment

·        Value Chain Structure

·        Revenue Generation ad margin

·        Position in value network

·        Competitive strategy

Types of Business Model:

·        The subscription business model

·        The razor and blades business model (bait and hook)

·        The pyramid scheme business model

·        The multi-level marketing business model

·        The network effects business model

·        The monopolistic business model

·        The cutting out the middleman model

·        The auction business model

·        The online auction business model

·        The bricks and clicks business model

·        Loyalty business models

·        Collective business models

·        The industrialization of services business model

·        The servitization of products business model

·        The low-cost carrier business model

·        The online content business model

Applicability of  appropriate Business Model for Indian PSUs

·        Monopolistic Business Model :- It is a nearly a situation in which a single firm is the sole provider of a product or service. Indian PSUs is likely to command such situation for certain capital intensive high end product although Globalized economy can always  throw up challenge.

Pricing Strategy should be to set price where Marginal Cost should be at least equal to Marginal revenue. Reduction of operating cost by virtue of all Management techniques will maximize earning.

It is also often argued that monopolies tend to become less efficient and innovative over time, becoming “complacent giants”, because they don’t have to be efficient or innovative to compete in the marketplace.  Regulations and creating business focus of the company may have limited instrumentality in arresting such situation.

·        Razor and blades business model  or “tied products model” works by selling a “master” product at a subsidized price, and making the profit on high margin Service/ “consumables” / Spares etc. that are essential to the use of the master product.  Indian PSUs has got the scope to use this business model where it has to compete with International players.

·        The loyalty business model is a business model used in strategic management in which company resources are employed so as to increase the loyalty of customers in the expectation that corporate objectives will be met or surpassed. All encompassing support to the customers are primary requirement for such model. Indian PSUs are better poised in terms of Infra Structure to use such model.

·        Service Quality Model . In it, customer satisfaction is first based on a recent experience of the product or service. This assessment depends on prior expectations of overall quality compared to the actual performance received. If the recent experience exceeds prior expectations, customer satisfaction will likely to be high. Customer satisfaction can also be high even with mediocre performance quality if the customer’s expectations are low, or if the performance provides value (that is, it is priced low to reflect the mediocre quality). Likewise, a customer can be dissatisfied with the service encounter and still perceive the overall quality to be good. This occurs when a quality service is priced very high and the transaction provides little value. A an appropriate model for Indian PSUss.

·        Outsourcing  Considerations:- Looking fact that 73% of top global companies outsourced some processes or other, Indian PSUs‘ business strategy should encompass outsourcing philosophy in major scale primarily due to :-

Ø     Concentrate on Focus Areas / Core Competencies.

Ø     Access to World Class Capabilities, rather than possessing them.

Ø     Risks can be shared in terms of Capital Investments, etc

Ø     Reduction in Operating Costs.

Ø     Resources not available internally. Companies outsource because they do not have access to the required resources within the company. Sometimes this is due to expansion or reorganization. It may also be due to changing business requirements.

Ø     Accelerate re-engineering benefits. Outsourcing is often a by-product of another powerful management tool, business process re-engineering. It allows an organization to immediately realize some benefits from this process.

Ø     Cash Infusion. Outsourcing often involves the transfer of assets from the customer to the provider, such as equipment, facilities, leases and licenses.

About the Author

The author is a senior executive in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and lives in Kolkata with his wife and daughter. He is a Mechanical Engineer of with Masters degree in Business management and has 22 years’ of experience in cutting edge technolgies in different companies in India and abroad.

DAIICHI HOOKS 25 models sz 25 ct. Fly Tying -alt Tiemco $3.79