Michanglais

It's currently running under DC, I have got some decoders so may try it on DCC. It's on flat track with R4 curves. Seems to have the same issue when on the straight as taking curves. I've tried it with a rake of 3 coaches and it runs just fine, but when I increase to 5, same issue. I shall try chipping it to see if that makes any difference...

An interesting take - I've tried the train with 3 coaches - runs fine but if I increase to five, I get the same issue. I wonder whether the forthcoming Co-Co diesels will fare better. I have to say, I'm kind of losing patience a little. Every TT loco I've bought has had to go back so far. I'd hate to abandon the scale because I think it has so much potential but I'm definitely wavering... Cheers, Michael

Cross post from the HST thread as many seem to have purchased them here: Just wondering whether anyone else was having this problem. My HST has terrible wheel-slip issues hauling a full 8-car set. It just grinds to a halt with the wheels spinning. When I detach the power car from the train, it runs just fine. I'm wondering whether it wouldn't benefit from a couple of the dreaded traction tyres. I'd like to hear pointers and opinions. Cheers, Michael

Just wondering whether anyone else was having this problem. My HST has terrible wheel-slip issues hauling a full 8-car set. It just grinds to a halt with the wheels spinning. When I detach the power car from the train, it runs just fine. I'm wondering whether it wouldn't benefit from a couple of the dreaded traction tyres. I'd like to hear pointers and opinions. Cheers, Michael

Does anyone know how the TT:120 announcements will be made next week? Live on YouTube, on the Hornby website, etc?

Thanks for that! Sometimes the answer is right under your nose! Cheers, Michael

Random question: I use Tillig radius 396mm curves. Could anyone tell me what that is equivalent to in terms of R1, R2, R3, R4 in the Hornby range? Cheers, Michael

Sort of in line with previous comments about the Blue/Grey power cars not being equipped with exhaust baffles but one of the coaches being a TGS (and only the slight chance these would run together), is it not the case that '254 XXX' sets ran as 8-car sets? Unless I'm miscounting, I can only see 7 different running numbers being offered in the Blue/Grey MK3s. That being said, I may just double up on a TSO to get the more 'correct', non-TGS equipped set, so if I want 8 cars, I could double up on another TSO...

Ooooh, that comment will make you unpopular with some! lol

Many thanks for that! Cheers, Michael

Hi all, I wonder if someone could help me? I'm trying to link a decoder but when I scan, it keeps appearing under 'resettable devices'. I've tried entering the exported reset code but I just get the message 'invalid reset code' and I'm back to square one. Any help would be much appreciated! Cheers, Michael

Just a quick update for anyone who is interested... My 8-car rake of MK3s arrived this morning. They're a delight to behold. Standing up very well when compared to the latest OO versions and a massive improvement over Dapol's N-gauge renderings, which always seemed slightly out of shape to me. I'm further pleased to say it was an 8 for 8, as well. All vehicles being complete, in perfect condition with all couplers working correctly (bit of an improvement over some quality issues with Mk1s). I've now had them running (propelled) for over an hour without incident. They seem to be very surefooted. And that's saying something given that I'm running on the floor over century-old parquet, which, combined with my Tillig snap-track, makes for a somewhat uneven running surface. Certainly, I haven't always been so lucky with N-gauge European stock of approximately equal weight. (Not to mention the value difference - I think I paid around €43 per MK3 and European N coach models are usually €50 to €65 a piece). I shall now run the train for as long as I can to check the motorised power car has no issues (unfortunately both my A4 and 08 had to go back, the former after quite a bit of running), then it'll be fitting DCC sound and swapping out all the provided couplers with magnetic ones from the wonderful TJ Modèles here in France (coupling lengths are offered at 0.25mm length differences so you can really ensure close coupling no matter what stock you're running - they do despatch to the UK! - not affiliated, just a very satisfied customer). Looking forward to more like this from Hornby! Cheers, Michael

Thanks to all who chipped in (ho ho) about consisting. I guess the simplest thing to do would be to use my PowerCab to run the HST in an advanced consist until Hornby introduce consisting in HM7000. As it stands, it's my PowerCab that powers my simple oval of track (no permanent layout as of yet) so I guess it's not that big of a deal, just that I like controlling the train from my smartphone. Patience is a virtue!

I'm rather delighted at my HST pack that arrived yesterday (small issue with the blanking plate but once that was put properly in place, it runs fine). I'm also delighted to see the Mk3s being released at the same time. I thought they weren't due 'til the summer (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!). I wonder if this is some joined-up thinking from Hornby - for instance, will at least one of the Mk2 variants be released at the same time as the class 50, etc.? I guess with production slots being difficult to allocate logistically it might not always be the case. Anyway, I feel Hornby have done themselves proud with this release.

I've just received a TT HST power car pack and want to add Bluetooth decoders (with sound) in each power car. The advice given is to set the power cars up as a 'Consist'. However, I can't find consisting in the HM7000 app. Could someone point me in the right direction or do I have to set up a consist on my NCE powercab and then just use the appropriate address(es) in the app? Cheers, Michael

lol Fortunately not! I took an executive decision to remove the body of the powered car and noticed that the blanking plate didn't seem to be sitting right. Once removed and reinserted, the car functions fine. I've not put the body back on yet because I want to fit DCC/sound but I can't see anything in the shell that would have pressed on the blanking plate. Just one of those things, I guess!

Aaaarrgghhh!!! Just received my HST pack. The models look fantastic. However, my power car is dead. When power is applied, the lights come on and change direction but not even the slightest buzz from the motor. I was wondering whether anyone else has had similar issues - maybe just a bit of wiring gone awry? Would it invalidate the guarantee if I open it up to have a look? Cheers for any advice, Michael

I was quite surprised to see this pop up in my feed yesterday. I've been watching a few of his vids since the Bachmann debacle but this one took me by surprise. I think he's an ebay seller - maybe he somehow sees TT:120 as affecting his market somehow?

One argument I haven't seen come up for a while is that in TT:120, everything is to scale. Correct gauge to scale. Both British OO and N are 'incorrect'. While this may not be an issue for some modellers, it always bugged me as a mainly Continental Europe modeller in HO and N (+ variants using the same track). The only British OO locos I've got are AC electrics given I doubt we'll see them in TT for a long time. Even tho the OO uses the same track gauge as my HO stuff, I have to store it at a strategic length because it just looks plain wrong. This was one of the initial main arguments for TT:120. Clearly, apart from wagons, Continental and British stock are not generally seen side-by-side but, despite the very attractive recent release 37s in OO, I'm holding out for one in TT.

Going back to the models for a bit - I've just read that the Swallow MK3s are available. For some reason, the Hornby site sent me an email to confirm availability of the power cars but nothing for the MK3s. Have they just literally become available? Bit peeved in that I've got a 10% discount promo and would have liked to use it buying the entire set. Oh well. Whatever the case, I'm pleased to see them available because I thought they weren't due until summer (I stand to be corrected on that one). I shall now have to unpack some moving boxes that I put my TT track in thinking I'd be moved by now...

I've just ordered an Inter-city HST pack. Can't wait to get my grubby mitts on it. I'm preparing for a move but may have to unbox some track and a controller to have a play. On the subject of new entrants (by manufacturers), I'm sure they're keeping an eye on things. They seem to be running out of ideas other than repeating pre-existing, decent models and adding further refinement (frequently with a hefty price tag). I'm talking about OO, obviously. I wonder whether TT could be seen as an untapped market and something worth at least considering (not that I'm expecting that any time soon)? Just the thoughts of a casual, innocent bystander (who has made a return to UK modelling mostly because of TT:120).

I received an email from Hornby yesterday with an image entitled 'New Arrivals' just over the IC liveried HST power cars. I didn't pre-order those, and they're still indicated as available for pre-order on the Hornby website. I did request notification for when they'll be in stock. Has anyone got any more info on this? Maybe they sold out on pre-orders? Cheers, Michael

It's interesting, this traction tyre debate. How they're seen as selling points in Europe but not elsewhere. As far as I know, the class 66s don't run in particularly mountainous territory in mainland Europe but I could be wrong. I guess some with layouts having gradients or helixes would prefer traction tyres. That being said, Kato's N for the North American market avoids traction tyres but that being said, you could just add an extra loco given that North American trains tend to have multiple locos per train. I've got one N loco that has lost its traction tyres and it still hauls long trains fine (tho on the flat and not on gradients). Clearly, with the traction tyres missing, it has even less 'wheel contact' because of the grooves left where the traction tyres would be. On top of which, it's a Bo-Bo. Makes you wonder whether they're just a feature that Europeans have got used to and they would find it odd if they weren't fitted.

I'd never heard of this service where a third party holds items for you. Maybe I should look into it too. I've currently got the IC livery HST power cars on pre-order but I haven't pre-ordered anything else for fear of it/them arriving at different times and having to pay shipping multiple times (tho, as has been pointed out, customer services seem willing to help with that, that being said, if the items were a month or more apart, would they still be so accommodating?). There are quite a few coaches due (-ish) I'd like to pre-order but I'm taking my chances and hoping they don't immediately go out of stock, I suspect I'm not the only one waiting with bated breath (I'm also likely to have moved by the time they're out - I presume there's a way of changing the billing/delivery address on pre-orders but I'm not sure I want to take the chance...).

Quite surprised at no LNER 'Swallow' class 91 + Mk4s, I'd have thought they would have gone down quite well. Oh well, maybe later in the year? (Which would suit me actually, given the amount of TT:120 I've got on pre-order...)