Michanglais

Talking of 'new' items, I thought I might as well post here. I've just taken delivery of a few Fleischmann EWIV red-door coaches. I'm pleased to say that the doors and stripe are in the correct 'vibrant' red colour and not the rather dull and lack lustre colour shown in the catalogue (if that was putting anyone off). Do feel free to move this post if there's anywhere more relevant to put it. Cheers, Michael

I've got quite a few Fleischmann re460s (Swiss) in N. On one of them a traction tyre disintegrated and there was no stock at Fleischmann so I ran it (on the flat) with the traction tyre missing and it can haul a long train no problem. The electrical pick-up situation seems to be dealt with by having all-wheel pick up and placing the one traction tyre per bogie (as someone mentioned earlier) on opposite sides to each other. Seems to work okay. As for leaving scum on the track as some people claim, I can't say I have a terrible time with this. That being said, I use Kato Unitrack and that stuff manages to stay miraculously clean on its own. Interesting topic. As someone else mentioned, it'll definitely be interesting to compare a UK Class 66 TT model with an Arnold European one.

For better or for worse, Continental models seem to be clinging onto tractions tyres. In fact, when they give a spec for a new locomotive, manufacturers nearly always list traction tyres as a positive feature. Must be a cultural thing!

Although I started in TT:120 for the scale and to do some British modelling, I'm kind of hoping there'll be an SNCF/'EWS'/DB Cargo or whoever the hell operates them in the upcoming list. I love seeing them in France, looking so dinky beside European locos and I love the 'EWS' livery with the snazzy wasp stripes on the air dam.

Please excuse my ignorance, but do Hornby still do an annual announcement of new models at the beginning of the year? I'm hoping desperately for an LNER 'Swallow' liveried 91. Cheers, Michael

I don't know if I'm a 'typical' N scale modeller (!) but I certainly spend quite a large part of my budget on forming prototypical length rakes for my locos. I 'collect' HO and OO locos, but not really coaches. I have formed a full-length rake of Pullmans/Mk1s in TT (perhaps not prototypical), which is really waiting for a green diesel (I've got an A4 to haul them for the time being but I'm not a great steam fan, that will get sold off once a green 37 or 47 arrives). I suspect I am not alone in this. Anyway, that's beside the point of your question! With my limited contact with other N scale modellers, I would say the trend is towards building full-length trains and investing more in rolling stock. My interests in N are French/Swiss so I couldn't really speak for the UK market but the one UK N modeller I do know has a collection of full length HSTs. Don't know if that's typical but I suspect most N modellers have at least one or two full-length trains in their fleet. Cheers, Michael

I've tried to skim through the thread but haven't spotted an answer to my question yet. Would anyone know of a producer of 3D printed valance in-fills for the new Class 91? I intend to have mine on display with my other UK AC electrics and, despite the need to remove the coupling mechanism, would really like to see such an item as I think Hornby have missed out on a trick with this one, unlike Bachmann's 90. Cheers, Michael

Totally agree. I've got a massive collection of N Continental European stock and a lot of HO locos for that added detail (tho N is catching up in some of the levels of detail and finesse but I think that's more of an excuse to increase prices because you really can't see it unless you get your nose right up to the model!). The draw of TT for me was that it gave me an excuse to get some UK outline (and I've always been quite fascinated by the scale and dabbled in it in the past but I'm not so keen on the mostly Eastern European offerings). Unfortunately I ended up discovering HOm runs on 12mm track and have amassed quite the collection despite the atrocious prices from the main manufacturer, Bemo. The shorter than UIC X/Z coaches and compact locos look great on TT track and you get the heft of HO. Has doubled the fun for me!

I've equipped all my stock with magnetic couplers from TJ Modèles here in France. He offers a massive range of different length couplers. Thanks to the (final!) use of kinematic coupler mechanisms, my Mk1s and Pullmans are literally corridor connection to corridor connection on the straight. Not really any good if you want to shunt but I just have a running loop so they are great for my purposes. Also so much easier to uncouple by hand than the standard Hornby TT:120 coupler heads fitted to most TT stock. His coupler heads are much more discreet than the Hunt coupler heads and you can even paint the magnets and they still work in a long rake. Really, virtually invisible. I don't know if he ships abroad but I'm sure he could send as a letter so no customs issues. I think there's a Continental manufacturer working on electrified magnetic couplers in N (absolutely no idea how they will work!) but could be worth keeping an eye on. The company is called Peho. I'm not sure if they're intended to just carry current, tho...

I wasn't really sure where to post this so I thought I'd try the Bachmann forum as a starting point. I was wondering if anyone knew of stockists of OO scale (preferably AC electrics) in the EU? Modell Bahn Union has a reasonable selection but it would be interesting to compare prices and maybe have a wider selection. Cheers, Michael

Anyone know of any footage of the HSTs in operation? - would love to see it. I haven't had much luck with searching YouTube or Facebook Cheers, Michael

I live in France so no import costs for me just €5 postage!

Yes! I did wonder what reaction it might get. I suspect many people interested in TT: 120 are OO modellers... Do you model P4? Perhaps you could give me some guidance on converting. I don't intend to run the locos, they really are just for display (nostalgia from my teenage years when BR finally broke away from the rather dull - to my mind - blue and grey). I shall continue with my Continental HO and be patient with TT:120. Can't wait to get my hands on the 'Swallow' livery HST (even tho I think it's the earlier version without the Swallow, I am ready to stand corrected on that - I just love the stripes!). Cheers, Michael

The wonders of UK TT! Modellbahn Union in Germany were (are) having a sale of Hornby OO and I couldn't resist a pair of Class 87s (fave British electric), City of Glasgow and City of Birmingham, at the equivalent of £134 each. I figure it might be years until the 87s are produced in TT, especially in these liveries, so I took the plunge. What a reminder of the inaccuracies of OO scale! I've bought them as display models and don't intend to buy any more OO but I had to give them a test run around my HO circuit. I think I may have to have a go at converting them to EM/P4 gauge! They will most certainly be displayed very separately to my HO. I haven't got any continental TT (I did go a bit mad with HOm to have new things to run on my 12mm gauge track) but I can't even begin to imagine the size difference. As it stands, my UIC Z coaches in Continental N are the same length as my TT Mk1s. Can't wait to see what the TT Mk3s look like. Long Live UK TT!!! (Kinda makes me feel sorry for UK OO modellers!)

I've ordered from them a number of times - very efficient and rapid delivery. I'm definitely going to be ordering a few. Now that the Swallow livery HST isn't going to be available DCC/sound fitted in TT, I'll need at least a couple. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them. Unfortunately, they don't offer you extra 'credit' for your next purchase like MSL when you place a decent quantity order and their postage is a little more expensive, if I recall, but you'll still be making a massive saving. I say, "go for it"! Cheers, Michael

Yes! Success at last. It would seem my DC controller, even at full power, just wasn't providing enough juice. Upon connecting my DCC controller things started to improve. However, I have found the track has to be meticulously clean as well. I run HOm on the same track and it has no problems but I guess the TT loco being so much lighter and not having such a long wheelbase means that no dirt will be tolerated. I think I may invest in a wheel cleaner, too. Just to ensure that everything is as clean as can be. Now to find out how to reduce the sound levels of individual features like whistles, without reducing the running sound. All part of the fun, I guess!

I don't know if this has been covered already but does anyone know whether the new HM7000 sound decoders will work on standard DCC without you first having to set it to DCC in the App? The reason I ask is that my Android phone (from a rather obscure Chinese manufacturer) may never be usable with the App but I'd like some TT factory sound-equipped models. Maybe a question for a DCC forum but as I'm only in UK TT, I thought it would be okay to post here first. Cheers, Michael

Well. I have somehow (don't know what I did differently) got my decoder to function with the App now. They are communicating but, it would seem, not very well. I can get the loco to accelerate and decelerate but it's now running like a bag of nails (it was incredibly smooth on DCC - original flava - yesterday before it was connected to the App). Also still no sound on either DCC or Bluetooth (notably, it is also running as poorly on plain DCC as it is on Bluetooth now). Would anyone have any idea of some adjustments I could make to improve running and get sound now that the decoder and App are talking or is this one for Hornby Customer Services? Cheers, Michael

Hi all, I wonder if anyone can help me. I've downloaded the HM7000 App on my phone and it seems to work in that I can get it to detect the decoder, etc. However, when I go to detected devices and try to operate the loco (TT:120 A4), I get a message on the phone saying the phone cannot control the device. I've got a Xaiomi Redmi 10, which isn't even listed in the 'incompatible phones' list. On top of which, if I run the loco under DCC - it operates perfectly, EXCEPT no sound (I was under the impression that there was a 'generic' sound file loaded into the decoder). Do I have to adjust a CV to get it to work? (Forgot to mention, I use an NCE PowerCab). I'm also wondering whether I should remove the pre-fitted speaker and replace it with the hard-wired one supplied with the decoder package? (I'm currently relying on the pre-fitted contact strips in the tender). Any advice gratefully appreciated. Cheers, Michael

One thing I'm a bit unhappy about is that on these coach samples, the glazing appears to be totally transparent. I'm hoping this will be corrected on the production runs. Purely personal preference but I'd rather have smoked glazing than highly detailed interiors. That being said, I don't know for sure whether these Mk2s had smoked glazing, but I'm pretty sure the Mk3s did. Maybe someone knows better than me? That being said, the inclusion of magnetic close couplers is to be commended. Personally, I use my French supplier, TJ Modèles, for magnetic couplers (no affiliation), which are extremely discreet and are available in quarter mm increments from 4mm to 7.5mm so you can always be sure of full, corridor-to-corridor connections (it's amazing how different manufacturers apply NEM standards...).

For anyone living in the EU - MSL have got quite a bit of Hornby TT:120 for reservation at discounted prices. I've not done the maths to see if it's more than 15%, but if you're not a club member/not going to renew, it might be worth having a look. Do we know yet whether the 15% discount will apply for renewed paid membership? I joined in October 2022 so don't realistically think I'll be getting any more items before mine runs out. Blunderbuss and Elriwa have also got some items listed (not sure if they're in stock or not) but some of the prices are surprisingly good. I've reserved everything at MSL that I'm waiting for (HSTs/Class 50 LLogo). Unfortunately, they aren't advertising much coaching stock to go with these locos but I guess, either they will, one of the others will, or I'll order from a shop in the UK that deducts VAT if Hornby don't renew the 15% discount.

While somewhat frustrated, I've kind of adopted a 'take it as it comes' attitude. Hell, I've even taken up Swiss HOm that uses 12mm track. I'm in the 'fortunate' position of having other countries and scales to work on as I await new arrivals from Hornby. I have, however, cancelled all my pre-orders. I realise this may mean paying more in the future but my income fluctuates greatly and I just can't take the chance of suddenly having a load of stock arrive at the same time and having my card charged for it all at once. I don't know if others have done this but I hope it doesn't get interpreted by Hornby as a lack of interest in the scale. In my opinion, Hornby are big enough to do what modellbahnshop-lippe.com do in Germany - allow you to pre-order and then inform you of new arrivals and give you five days to decide whether you still want/can buy before putting unbought stock on general sale. I guess Hornby's logistics differ greatly to those of a single shop but I can but wish... I don't know how many others are taking the same approach but allowing pre-orders that you may or may not buy (I usually do buy my pre-orders from MSL) would give Hornby some idea of how much to produce. Possibly just too complicated an option to put in place. That being said, now Hornby are allowing shops to stock TT:120, the risk may be reduced slightly. Notably, MSL is stocking most of what is currently available/advertising future items for reservation. I may just turn to them - they're a little more expensive than Hornby but they do offer a decent points system so the more you buy, the cheaper it gets in a way.

Wow! More varieties than I originally thought! Thanks very much for the explanations, Christian.

I feel I am showing myself up here but I don't know what the difference is between the yellow and blue diamonds at the upper corners of certain Swiss stock. I believe there many even be circles (from memory)? If anyone could explain what each means, I'd be most grateful! Cheers, Michael

Hmmmm, what could be going on? I've just had an email from Hornby telling me they've cancelled my pre-order for the IC Exec HST sound-equipped pack but informing me the non-sound version pack was still available (and offering me a 10% discount for a future Hornby purchase to compensate my disappointment). So, I figure, I'll surely be able to sound-equip a 'silent' set sooner or later and I pre-order the non-sound set. However, is it my imagination, or has there been a distinct jump in price? I may be mis-remembering but the silent pack seemed to be more of a bargain previously. Could be just me... Then, out of curiosity, I check to see that the sound-equipped BR Blue is still on its way. Well. It is if you order in £, there are four pages of locos to choose from, when switching to €, the number of pages drops to three and the sound-equipped BR Blue set has disappeared. I'm wondering whether it's another website glitch or whether the sound-equipped BR blue will disappear, too? Part of me is wondering whether I should just pre-order absolutely everything era 7 and era 8 - it's a bit of a gamble. Shipping to Europe is expensive so if items are drip-fed, that could mean a lot of additional costs. I was sort of hoping to wait until, say, all BR B/G Mk3s were available and order the entire rake in one go. Despite the somewhat extreme prices, I'm kind of glad I stumbled on HOm to have new 'toys' to play with on my TT:120 track. I really, REALLY want Hornby UK TT:120 to work, I can only hope that whoever steps into SK's shoes is as enthusiastic about the project and keeps it moving forwards (however long that takes/what appears/disappears).