TTS steam decoders

[Chrisr40]

For anyone interested I just got a mail to tell me that the stand-alone steam tts decoders are now in stock at Hornby

 

Regards

 

Chris

[Hilux5972]

Yep I got the same one. Have to stock up on a few 37's for my WCR fleet.

[MikeParkin65]

Yep I got the same one. Have to stock up on a few 37's for my WCR fleet.

Wake me up when the diesel ones arrive - steam TTS no use to man nor beast due to lack of synchronisation but the diesel versions are genuine game changers imho

[Izzy]

Wake me up when the diesel ones arrive - steam TTS no use to man nor beast due to lack of synchronisation but the diesel versions are genuine game changers imho

 

 Hornby have them available on their website for direct ordering now along with the steam ones, they are all on the same page. Hattons have just sent an e-mail to say that they have been advised that they will receive supplies on the 4th Sept (I have some pre-ordered).

 

Izzy

[MikeParkin65]

 Hornby have them available on their website for direct ordering now along with the steam ones, they are all on the same page. Hattons have just sent an e-mail to say that they have been advised that they will receive supplies on the 4th Sept (I have some pre-ordered).

 

Izzy

Looking forwards to getting some for a very reasonable £36 rather than the extortionate £49.50 that a certain box shifter charges for chips split from loco's or the crazy bidders on ebay who pay almost as much as you could get a loksound for in the frenzy to have it now at any pprice. Patience is everything in this game

[Hilux5972]

Wake me up when the diesel ones arrive - steam TTS no use to man nor beast due to lack of synchronisation but the diesel versions are genuine game changers imho

Indeed the diesel version is a game changer. Far more suited to a diesel loco.

[paftrain]

Indeed the diesel version is a game changer. Far more suited to a diesel loco.

Shame they don't do Warships and Westerns!

[Hilux5972]

Shame they don't do Warships and Westerns!

Yet. Give them time.

[Fireline]

Wake me up when the diesel ones arrive - steam TTS no use to man nor beast due to lack of synchronisation but the diesel versions are genuine game changers imho

 

It's each to their own. It's no good for those who demand exacting accuracy, but for those who want to add sound on a tight budget, it's wonderful. 

[No Decorum]

It's each to their own. It's no good for those who demand exacting accuracy, but for those who want to add sound on a tight budget, it's wonderful. 

For an additional £20 or so and for a diesel, it’s good value. For £40 or so for a pack to put into a model, I think I’d rather go the whole hog. Yes, each to his own.

[Derails Models]

Indeed they are here! Chips for Tornado, A3, A4, King and Class 31 have just arrived with us - should be hitting your local shop's shelves soon!

[MikeParkin65]

It's each to their own. It's no good for those who demand exacting accuracy, but for those who want to add sound on a tight budget, it's wonderful.

 

Each to their own illusion indeed but having the exhaust linked to the motion of a steam loco is fundamental rather than a luxury. If Hornby sorted that out they'd make a killing imho.

[Izzy]

I'm hoping the TTS 08 that's arriving soon might get released as a standalone decoder......would be significant demand I think.......

 

Izzy

[Fireline]

Each to their own illusion indeed but having the exhaust linked to the motion of a steam loco is fundamental rather than a luxury. If Hornby sorted that out they'd make a killing imho.

 

I really don't want to get into an argument, but it's only fundamental if it matters to you. It clearly does for you, where it doesn't matter at all for me. I don't watch my engines closely enough to see if things are synchronised. Mine can just run freely, making sounds if I want them to. 

[sparaxis]

I really don't want to get into an argument, but it's only fundamental if it matters to you. It clearly does for you, where it doesn't matter at all for me. I don't watch my engines closely enough to see if things are synchronised. Mine can just run freely, making sounds if I want them to. 

I bought a 2P as one of the usual box shifters was selling them off cheap.

 

Sound is quite good but I find the whole effect of the chuffs being wildly out of synch with the wheels disconcerting. I seem to remember that when the loco just starts moving it sounds like its going 20 mph or so. More than 10 beats per revolution or so.

 

It can be done correctly. I have a REE 141 with synchronised chuffs and smoke, but of course the ESU electronic gubbins in that one probably cost more than the whole 2P, chip included!

[MikeParkin65]

I really don't want to get into an argument, but it's only fundamental if it matters to you. It clearly does for you, where it doesn't matter at all for me. I don't watch my engines closely enough to see if things are synchronised. Mine can just run freely, making sounds if I want them to. 

No arguments, each to their own as I said . But you misunderstand what I am saying -  chuff to movement is fundamental in a steam loco because the number of chuffs is mechanically linked in the prototype - the chuffs HAVE to match the wheel revolutions, no exceptions.

 

So whilst TTS works well in a diesel because engine sound doesn't need to directly match movement, it doesn't work for steam. The TTS King for example makes one chuff for a full revolution when moving off - this looks ridiculous and obvious if you look at any footage of the real thing.

 

So without wishing to spoil anyones fun, TTS diesel is in a different league to TTS steam and until Hornby address that TTS steam remains in the toy category. 

[SRman]

I agree the diesel ones are much better than the steam ones. However, having bought the recent Merchant Navy with TTS sound (I bought it for the MN, not for the sound!), I decided the sound was definitely not remotely like a Bulleid, but did sound like a fairly generic 2-cylinder type. The whistle is fairly deep and would suit some of the BR Standards, so I looked through my collection for something with 2 cylinders and an 8-pin socket, and came up with a Hornby Standard 4MT 4-6-0.

I have now shoehorned the TTS decoder and speaker into the 4MT tender, which did not have provision for sound. The decoder is a tight fit under the front of the coal space, with the speaker perched precariously between the decoder and the socket, and partly on top of both, all sealed with Blu-tack. The sound is a bit muffled at present because there are no holes in the tender to allow it out. On reflection, I might actually shift the socket altogether and make more room for the speaker to sit properly, then drill some holes in the coal space and hide them under some real coal on a bit of card.

The effect is not too bad. Chuffs are still not synchronised with the revolutions of the wheels, but it does sound like a 2 cylinder job. I need to tweak a few settings as it tends to accelerate too rapidly, currently. I might remove the capacitor as well as I left that in place while I was just experimenting.

The MN now has a DCC Concepts decoder in it and runs very quietly!

[The Johnster]

To each. of course, his own, and so long as the locos are available in versions without sound, and without DCC as well, this is no problem to me; I am quite happy making chuff chuff chuff noises 4 per revolution of the driving wheel (no 3 cylinder or Lord Nelsons on my GW BLT), in fact happier than I would be with TTS because I can alter the tone and intensity of them to suit however hard I imagine the loco to be working.

 

In the race between technology and imagination, at least as regards steam engine noises, imagination still has an unassailable lead.  If I modelled diesel period, things would be different; I am very impressed with the difference sound makes to the illusion of reality on YouTube videos of Mr Bullock's excellent 'Abbotwood'.

[Banger Blue]

I'm hoping the TTS 08 that's arriving soon might get released as a standalone decoder......would be significant demand I think.......

 

Izzy

Likewise the Class 40, already produced some time ago so surprised this hasn't already been released as a stand alone. Come on Hornby, get whistling!

[Chrisr40]

Likewise the Class 40, already produced some time ago so surprised this hasn't already been released as a stand alone. Come on Hornby, get whistling!

 

Hopefully at Warley or sooner we will hear of expansion to the range to include those sound projects already fitted in locos - I guess they are waiting to see what the sales are like for those they are releasing standalone.

There was mention recently of an announcement on TTS in the near future and there has been some speculation about what that might be.

[BMS]

Ive received today a King TTS to add to my Bristolian King Charles II

It came in a box with no fitting instructions, apart from a general guide.

 

I expected to open the tender, remove blanking or previous DCC connection, unscrew the weight plate, fit the speaker, and decoder , reassemble and away.

 

However what I have in the "Kit is

1. Decoder, speaker, 8pin dcc plug (parts linked by soldered wires as expected)

2 A plastic ring which is intended to fit on the speaker

3 2 screws which don't fit any empty holes.

Both the speaker and ring have extra spigots which line up and could be screwed together if the screws fitted; but I can't see any way that they can locate on the speaker location on the tender without obscuring the tender mountings and/or weight plate mountings.

 

Are there two current versions of the tender chassis both for sound? (I can't locate the relevant service sheet(s) or maintenance leaflet on the Hornby site.)

 

Anyone fitted TTS onto a King?

Anyone with a TTS equipped King prepared to share a photo of the installation, please?

Regards

 

Basil

[Chrisr40]

Ive received today a King TTS to add to my Bristolian King Charles II

It came in a box with no fitting instructions, apart from a general guide.

 

I expected to open the tender, remove blanking or previous DCC connection, unscrew the weight plate, fit the speaker, and decoder , reassemble and away.

 

However what I have in the "Kit is

1. Decoder, speaker, 8pin dcc plug (parts linked by soldered wires as expected)

2 A plastic ring which is intended to fit on the speaker

3 2 screws which don't fit any empty holes.

Both the speaker and ring have extra spigots which line up and could be screwed together if the screws fitted; but I can't see any way that they can locate on the speaker location on the tender without obscuring the tender mountings and/or weight plate mountings.

 

Are there two current versions of the tender chassis both for sound? (I can't locate the relevant service sheet(s) or maintenance leaflet on the Hornby site.)

 

Anyone fitted TTS onto a King?

Anyone with a TTS equipped King prepared to share a photo of the installation, please?

Regards

 

Basil

I believe Hornby magazine have a feature on fitting TTS chips and speakers in their next edition due out next week.

[BMS]

Thanks for that: I'll be in my newsagent even more frequently!

Basil

[STRAT'71]

Best option is to fit a Sugar cube speaker. Much easier and better sounding. I'm doing that on all my TTS locos.

More 'chuff' than 'chiff'

[Trev520]

Ive received today a King TTS to add to my Bristolian King Charles II

It came in a box with no fitting instructions, apart from a general guide.

 

I expected to open the tender, remove blanking or previous DCC connection, unscrew the weight plate, fit the speaker, and decoder , reassemble and away.

 

However what I have in the "Kit is

1. Decoder, speaker, 8pin dcc plug (parts linked by soldered wires as expected)

2 A plastic ring which is intended to fit on the speaker

3 2 screws which don't fit any empty holes.

Both the speaker and ring have extra spigots which line up and could be screwed together if the screws fitted; but I can't see any way that they can locate on the speaker location on the tender without obscuring the tender mountings and/or weight plate mountings.

 

Are there two current versions of the tender chassis both for sound? (I can't locate the relevant service sheet(s) or maintenance leaflet on the Hornby site.)

 

Anyone fitted TTS onto a King?

Anyone with a TTS equipped King prepared to share a photo of the installation, please?

Regards

 

Basil

I had similar challenge. My King had the DCC socket in the loco. Tender needed modification, weights removed and the speaker could be fitted using the weight screws where the weights were. The fixing spigots needed trimming / removing to allow the tender top to go on. I used a sticky pad to fix one weight above the speaker. Tender body relies on the front fixing screw alone. The speaker leads had to be extended to reach the decoder fitted in the loco, There seems to be plenty of room for the decoder and leads in the loco body. Reassembled loco and it runs OK. Not sure about sound quality, a better speaker may well improve the quality.

 

Trevot