Category Archives: Training

Hornby Model Trains – Helpful Tips in Choosing the Right Set For Your Needs

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Hornby model trains are the popular make of train in the United Kingdom. In 1901, Frank Hornby obtained a patent for his Mecanno system for model construction. Nineteen years later, he produced the first clockwork train.

Later in 1938, Hornby launched its very first 00-gauge train. In 2008, Hornby acquired Corgi Classics Limited, one of the oldest manufacturers of transportation collectible die-cast models (buses, cars, airplanes, trucks).

When selecting a Hornby train set, one very important consideration is the age of the purchaser or end-user. There are trains for adults (models) and for children (toys). This is not to say a youngster cannot be a serious train enthusiast. It simply means that there are age appropriate train models based on the specific individual.

Children under the age of 14 may lose interest in the train hobby after the newness wears off. Kids nowadays have high tech electronic games that are very sophisticated. They may not be entertained by a train that repeatedly goes around in a circle.

For this reason, it is best to choose a set that will allow for expansion and heightened operating interest. Sidings are a great way to do this. They can learn to shunt wagons and cars from one siding to another. They can actually load the wagons with small toys and drop them off for pickup.

It is best to start out modest to see if they are going to remain interested in the hobby. You do not want to spend a lot of money on additional accessories if they are not going to stick to railroading long term.

Once their interest proves to be established, you can purchase extra wagons and rolling stock. You can also purchase Hornby’s trakmat system packages so they can build a layout step-by-step.

Some sets that might work well for a child under 14 might be:

* Hornby “Local Freight”

* Hornby “Goodsmaster Diesel Freight”

* Hornby “Thomas the Tank Engine” Train Set

Remember that there is a big span in the 14 and under age group, so choose appropriately. While younger kids may enjoy Thomas the Tank, older children may think it is childish and silly.

Adults, unlike younger children, are a bit more appreciative of the level of detail in their models. Adults, more than likely, are purchasing their train to pursue the hobby of model railroading seriously. The more sophisticated and pricier sets are going to interest them. Train hobbyists are most likely going to want to expand their set at some point, as well.

Some sets you might consider for the 14 and older user might be:

* Hornby “Flying Scotsman”

* The “Royal Scot” Train Set

* Hornby “East Coast Pullman DCC” Train Set

* Hornby “Pendolino DCC” Train Set

* Hornby “Mixed Goods DCC” Train Set

After you get a feel for the hobby and your attraction for it, you can do some research on expanding your layout not only with train products, but some impressive scenery additions as well. There are endless possibilities when it comes to model railroading, and you are limited only by funds and imagination.

Hornby model trains have been around for a very long time, and I don’t think they will be going anywhere anytime soon. The train is leaving the station, so All Aboard!

Training Management System – Every Organization Needs One

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Organizations spend significant amount of money on training and development of their employees. Training is done in different areas, for different employees, in different ways at different times. In order to appreciate the benefits of the effort and investment in training, it is imperative that the training is managed in a systematic manner and not treated as a sporadic set of activities or events.

A good training management system can address the different factors needed to make training effective.

Development is continuous process

Development of employees is not just a one time event. It is a continuous process with many activities carried over a period of time. This in turn means that proper tracking of the same should be done. Organization would need to know the development activities that an employee participated in. This is one key element of a good training management system. It helps track the various activities that an employee goes through during a period of time. At the end of say a year, we are able to look at the various trainings that an employee has gone through, judge whether they have indeed made an impact on the employee’s performance at work.

Training involves varied events

Training methodologies have evolved over the years due to improvement in the knowledge in the behavioral sciences including adult learning and proliferation of internet technologies. Training is no more just a classroom activity. There are many methodologies which are adopted for imparting knowledge and skills including instructor classroom training, instructor led training over the web, self paced individual learning, and so on. Organizations would very much want to track all such learning activities to make a proper analysis of which of them is working best. A training management system enables organizations to track several training activities which may be happening across the organization.

Operational and strategic inputs

A good training management system can make the operational part of the training and development function very effective. It also provides strategic inputs for decision making on human capital enhancement for the organization. Administrative activities can be automated, collaboration can be enabled, data generation can be democratized, project or event management can become more systematic and inclusive – all of these making the execution of training management easier, efficient and productive. From a strategic perspective, a training management system will be able to provide vital information on cost break down from different view points (such as department, location, business unit and so on), feedback on the effectiveness of the training programs, quality of the training vendors, participation levels and so on.

Any organization which is serious about developing the knowledge and skills of its employees and invests in training their employees to enhance the human capital of the organization should be seriously considering deploying a good training management system for their organization.