Railroad Cars
Railroad Cars
History Of Car Hire; Model T To Sat-Nav
The introduction of the Ford Model T as the first mass produced car is closely linked with the car hire industry. A mere eight years after the first Ts rolled of the production line an enterprising Nebraskan businessman called Joes Saunders started a car hire firm with one car. The main focus of his business was the travelling salesman market, although his first customer is believed to be a man who wished to take a girl out on a date.
Two years after this original foray, a young entrepreneur, Walter L. Jacobs started a company in the Chicago area. The car rental firm was founded with a dozen Model Ts with Jacobs carrying out all of the repair and maintenance work himself. The success of this business was outstanding and within five years it is believed that it was generating an annual income of one million US dollars.
The success of Jacobs' car rental company did not go unnoticed by investors; most notably John Hertz. Hertz already owned the 'Yellow Cab and Truck Hire Company' and used his funds to buy out Jacobs' car hire firm. Hertz himself was then bought out by the General Motors Company who re-branded the company as the 'Hertz Drive-Ur-Self System'. Hertz is still a major player in the car rental industry and most probably the company with the most history.
The early years of the car hire industry were dogged by involvement with organised crime. The Prohibition years saw bootleggers and robbers frequently using car firms for 'jobs' and led to the industry gaining a poor reputation with the public. The ending of Prohibition allowed the industry the freedom to distance themselves from the criminal fraternity and rebuild a respectable reputation.
The expansion of the American rail network acted to bolster the car hire industry for a number of years. Purely rental car parking was created at some stations to further entice customers, mainly due to Railway companies heavily investing in franchises. Rail companies also started to create a service where customers could order a hire car in advance of their arrival at stations using the telegraph network.
In the Post War period the car hire industry grew rapidly, being linked to another form of transport; in this case however it was no the railroads but instead the rapidly expanding air travel market. Car rental companies began to open franchises at airports to allow passengers vehicular transport at their arrival destination. The term 'fly-drive' became popular and supplied a service to tourists and businessmen alike.
Competition in the car hire industry since this time became fierce, with many companies employing aggressive advertising campaigns with the help of the airlines themselves. Today airports are still a major source of revenue for companies, with desks filling many arrival lounges.
The modern era of car leasing has seen companies face increasing competition from improved public transportation links. Most major airports now have a direct Rail Link with their host cities while coach and bus companies allow travellers to reach almost any destination once they have left the airport. Businessmen are still integral to the industry, as much as it was for Saunders' original firm, while the innovation of 'fly-drive' holidays has opened a wider market.
Car hire companies are increasingly employing satellite navigation systems in their cars making travel easier for customers. The addition of high-tech security systems such as fingerprint scanners have also been employed to secure fleets. For companies to survive in this highly competitive industry they must be innovative and provide a service that is unrivalled. With prices increasingly forced down by rivals the customer now faces possibly the widest choice ever in the history of the industry.
About the Author
Historian Thomas Pretty looks into the history and development of the car hire industry. To find out more please visit http://www.budget.co.uk/
 |
K Line Western Pacific WP feather boxcar brown with white new image feather |  |
 |
US $30.00 | 19m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT DOMINO SUGAR 40 BOXCAR ROLLING STOCK | |
3 Bids | US $3.78 | 21m |
 |
Walthers HO Soo Line 70085 PS 2 2893 Cu Ft Covered | |
|
US $34.10 | 31m |
 |
50PCS 2mm Yellow Light LEDs lamps resistors for 3 12V | |
0 Bid | US $4.97 | 2h 5m |
 |
Vintage Lionel 671 Locomotive with 2046W Tender w Whistle and 7 Car Train Set | |
6 Bids | US $304.92 | 2h 20m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS STEAM ENGINE KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN 2 10 2 DCC 220 | |
15 Bids | US $100.75 | 2h 20m |
 |
50 Grain of Wheat 3mm green 12V 70mA Wired Mini Bulbs | |
2 Bids | US $7.50 | 2h 21m |
 |
50pcs Grain of Wheat Bulbs Blue Small Bulbs 6V Mini Bulb | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2h 48m |
 |
LONG ISLAND RAILROAD LIRR TANKCAR | |
0 Bid | US $22.00 | 3h 13m |
 |
LONG ISLAND RAILROAD LIRR WORKCAR | |
0 Bid | US $22.00 | 3h 14m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT SUPER MARKET SCENIC BUILDING KIT L1330 | |
9 Bids | US $10.25 | 3h 20m |
 |
HO TRAIN TRAINSET EXPANDER VINTAGE BACHMANN 6 AXLE LOG CAR NICE1 | |
|
US $10.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN ATHEARN 40 QUAD HOPPER w KADEES BALTIMORE OHIO BO MINT | |
1 Bid | US $10.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN WALTHERS PROTO 2000 40 DBL DK STOCK CAR KIT GOTHAM STK EXPR GSX MINT | |
|
US $17.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN WALTHERS PROTO 2000 40 DBL DK STOCK CAR KIT CBQ MINT | |
|
US $17.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN ATHEARN BAY WINDOW CABOOSE KIT BURLINGTON PARTIALLY ASSEMBLED NICE | |
|
US $12.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN ATHEARN PULPWOOD CAR KIT SOUTHERN PACIFIC SP ASSEMBLED NICE | |
|
US $11.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN AHM 50 STEEL BOXCAR NORTHERN PACIFIC NP NIB | |
|
US $9.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN AHM 50 OUTSIDE BRACED GONDOLA PLE MINT NIB | |
|
US $14.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN RTR MINI METALS 1978 CHEVROLET IMPALA FIRE CHIEF CAR MINT | |
|
US $7.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO TRAIN BRANCHLINE BLUEPRINT SERIES 50 AAR DBL DOOR BOXCAR KIT WABASH MINT | |
|
US $17.99 | 4h 10m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT US ARMY FLAT CAR WITH M 47 TANK M99160 | |
12 Bids | US $14.50 | 4h 20m |
 |
Vintage Tyco NIB HO Scale The Southern Railroad Pulpwood 50 Car 334A Hong Kong | |
|
US $11.99 | 4h 43m |
 |
BROOKSIDE DAIRY Milk Cream HO scale wood era reefer printed sides | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 4h 47m |
 |
BROOKSIDE DAIRY Milk Cream Z scale wood era reefer printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 4h 47m |
 |
BROOKSIDE DAIRY Milk Cream TT scale wood era reefer printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 4h 47m |
 |
BROOKSIDE DAIRY Milk Cream N scale wood era reefer printed sides | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 4h 47m |
 |
Ginger Ale boxcar reefers N scale printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 5h 10m |
 |
Ginger Ale boxcar reefers S scale printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 5h 10m |
 |
Ginger Ale boxcar reefers Z scale printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 5h 10m |
 |
Ginger Ale boxcar reefers TT scale printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 5h 10m |
 |
Five HEINZ 57 cars S scale set 1 printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 5h 16m |
 |
Five HEINZ 57 cars O scale set 1 printed sides | |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 5h 16m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT SANTA FE STEAM CRANE ROLLING STOCK M9175 | |
4 Bids | US $8.09 | 5h 21m |
 |
10 Model Tree Train Set Railroad Scenery Layout 150 O | |
0 Bid | US $1.06 | 5h 41m |
 |
Bachmann HO Netherlands Overseas Mills Model Railroad Box Car Rail Car NIB | |
|
US $6.99 | 5h 43m |
 |
GMO GULF MOBILE OHIO LOCO ROLLING STOCK POSTER | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 5h 55m |
 |
ATLANTIC EAST CAROLINA RAILROAD POSTER MULLET LINE | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 5h 57m |
 |
ILLINOIS CENTRAL PASSENGER TRAIN POSTER | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 5h 57m |
 |
1920S IVES TRAIN CARDINAL SPECIAL SET RUNS LOCOMOTIVE 4 CARS MANUALS TRACK | |
|
US $2,599.99 | 6h 16m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT SHELL TANKER CAR ROLLING STOCK M98103 | |
7 Bids | US $3.78 | 6h 21m |
 |
2 Vintage Gilbert American Flyer Railroad Cars Reading Gondola | |
0 Bid | US $24.99 | 7h 5m |
 |
Life Like HO Scale Powered Locomotive with working headlights and coal car | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 7h 14m |
 |
ARISTO CRAFT ART 32601 STREAMLINE VISTA DOME READING RAILROAD BRAND NEW | |
|
US $198.00 | 7h 16m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT ENGINE AMTRAK F40 PH LOCOMOTIVE L8241 | |
7 Bids | US $17.39 | 7h 20m |
 |
BALTIMORE OHIO 2 BAY COVERED HOPPER CAR WITH 10 SQUARE HATCHES CAR 81794 | |
0 Bid | US $28.00 | 7h 20m |
 |
LOT 45 VTG TRAIN RAILROAD ACCESSORIES Animals Cars Trucks Crossings Figure | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 7h 27m |
 |
Bachmann Depressed Center Flat Car w Transformer N Scale New | |
|
US $11.99 | 7h 42m |
 |
Bachmann Depressed Center Flat Car w Missile N Scale New | |
|
US $11.99 | 7h 43m |
 |
Louisville and Nashville Model Railroad Chain Car RR Hauler | |
1 Bid | US $4.00 | 7h 47m |
 |
Marx Passenger Cars 4 USA Made New in four boxes Tarantula RR tca 1996 | |
8 Bids | US $71.99 | 7h 55m |
 |
LGB G SCALE RAILROAD TRAIN SAN DIEGO ARIZONA RAILEAY TANK CAR MODEL NO 4080 | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 8h 4m |
 |
Vintage Bachman Train Set Complete in the Original Box LK | |
|
US $85.00 | 8h 7m |
 |
RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN Magazine April 1976 Cal Zephyr Dome Car | |
|
US $6.25 | 8h 8m |
 |
Maisto Diecast Norfolk Western Hopper Car LOOK 1144 Scale EXCELLENT | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 8h 9m |
 |
O Gauge Railroad Working Crossing Guard Lionel Marx American Flyer Lot SV1 | |
7 Bids | US $11.38 | 8h 11m |
 |
O Gauge Railroad Warning Guard Lionel Marx American Flyer Lot SV2 | |
7 Bids | US $8.75 | 8h 17m |
 |
O Gauge Railroad Warning Guard Lionel Marx American Flyer Lot SV3 | |
5 Bids | US $2.99 | 8h 20m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT TEXACO TANKER CAR ROLLING STOCK M98106 | |
7 Bids | US $4.34 | 8h 21m |
 |
The Fairfield Mint 1 24 Scale Die Cast 1939 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery Van | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 8h 36m |
 |
WALTHERS HO Model Train PRR Pennsylvania Rail Road Plug Door Box Car NEW IN BOX | |
0 Bid | US $15.99 | 8h 40m |
 |
Walthers HO Heavyweight Passengert 10 1 2 Sleeper ACL NIB 932 10565 | |
|
US $35.00 | 8h 50m |
 |
HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT TIMKEN ROLLER BEARING FREIGHT BOXCAR 97973 | |
3 Bids | US $3.78 | 8h 50m |
 |
Mickey Mouse Hometome Railroad Train Set battery operated w lights sound | |
0 Bid | US $100.00 | 8h 59m |
 |
TRACKSIDE DETAILS 5A | |
0 Bid | US $16.99 | 9h 4m |
 |
TRACKSIDE DETAILS 24A | |
0 Bid | US $18.99 | 9h 5m |
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Tags: cars, railroad, railroad cars dimensions, railroad cars for bridges, railroad cars for sale, railroad cars types, railroad cars with shackles, train, transportation, travel