Bob83a

The trouble with 'new' technology is that when things go wrong then it can be a big problem.

My broadband and digital voice has been down for 4 days so far and the estimate is for it to be down for another 3 days. Most people can manage for a couple of days but when it is more than a week then it is a different matter. BT have a scheme to send out a mini hub containing a mobile SIM. A hassle to reconfigure everything to use that instead, but because I have a mobile on the account then no mini hub, they just change the limit for data. Trying to reconfigure everything to use the mobile as a hotspot is a big issue and of course the mobile is no longer very mobile.

On 21/04/2024 at 20:24, jonnyuk said:

Yep I’ve got one in the GWR version and it’s great, used the class 153 profile (I think).  No issues with size, running or lighting 

According to the Hornby web site they have not yet released the sound profile for the class 153 yet. Class 153 and 121 due sometime this year.

5 hours ago, JSpencer said:

TBH, given the price point, I am not surprised that the Dongle probably won't work as well on other systems. Though I get that the initial marketing seems to have been a bit over enthusiastic.

 

 

I believe that the Dongle is just a media converter, it changes the Bluetooth/wi-fi to serial and more importantly changes the speed from megabit to kilobit. To do that it does need to buffer the data for a short while. It almost certainly does not change any of the Xpressnet protocol. It is the app then generates the Xpressnet and that is where changes may be required to improve the compatibility.

15 hours ago, Chrisr40 said:

If you use samsung smart switch and move the app between devices do you still need to delete all your locos ? 

Each device has a unique ID for each of its interfaces, moving things from one device to another does not change the ID.

The ID is usually a MAC address which is used for Ethernet and Wi-Fi. This ID is used in the pairing of the devices including your phone/tablet and your HM7000 decoder.

Therefore moving things with the smart switch would be the same as moving to a device from another maker.

5 hours ago, JSpencer said:

Do we know if any of the Non-sound chips ever came out? 

All 4 non-sound decoders are shown on the Hornby site as arriving Autumn 2024

At what point was the right hand platform extended or was the signal moved.

the signal seems to be next to the second mk3,  and there is no sign of the right hand platform. In the later photograph the right hand platform extends as far as the signal.

2 hours ago, Northerngirl said:

Any idea what's happened with the profiles that were due q1

The schedule is only a guide. Hornby often seem to miss some release dates but often it is only by a week or two. Some of the profiles are linked to model releases but they often slip.

There should be an updated schedule soon.

I don’t think it is ignorance on the side of the sound file developers.

The issue is more to do with timing and the construction of the drive chain.

The cycling of the cylinders which are responsible for the chuff is directly linked mechanically to the revolution of the wheels.

However the decoder in general has no way to know the rate at which the wheels turn.

The decoder only has control of the voltage supplied to the motor. But the motors have different characteristic even between individual motors, depending on the brushes/ commutator and even the lubrication. So that the RPM is not always constant for a particular voltage.

Different manufactures of the same model use different motors.

Then there is the gearing, if you have two models of the same loco from different manufactures then it is unlikely that gearing will be the same.

there is also the effects of lubrication and dirt on the gear train and wheels.

so it is very unlikely that the same voltage applied to two different models will result in the same wheel rotation.

the only way to get perfect synchronisation of the chuffs is to have some sort of feed back from the wheels back to the decoders, which currently very few models have.

so getting the chuffs rate right is one big compromise. Especially as most decoders only have chuff rates for a sample of voltage’s applied to the motor and interpolate between those.

most decoders try to get a good approximation and some are better than others and none is perfect.

the sound file developers will produce an algorithm that is reasonable for the model that they test with but is never going to be right for every other model of the same type.

Are all the blanking plugs the original ones fitted to the loco when you purchased them.

Bachmann have several different blanking plugs some which support lights and some that don’t. 
 

is it possible you have used a blanking plug that was originally fitted to a loco that did not have lights.

do the blanking plugs you have used have part numbers on them.

Are they all 8 pin models, if they are have you put the blanking plug in the right way around, try turning it 180 degrees. 
 

if it is the wrong way round then it will move but the lights would not work properly.

6 hours ago, Northerngirl said:

It seems like my e link has lost its ability to program anything, and the hm7k seems to be here to stay.

I'm planning on getting a select or elite & the dongle, from what I can tell most of the difference comes down to ease of use, which which the app does really matter. Is there any other reason to avoid the select, all I need it to do is occasional cv editing on a couple of non txs sound locos, the rest is via the app. 

At a quick look, good ones seem to be going for about £90, and the elite £170 on ebay, would it be worth spending more for the additional features?

The firmware version of a select is important, you need the later version, not a big deal as you can return the unit to Hornby who can update it at a cost of about £15 plus postage (25-30 total). So factor this into the total cost.

The current branch service is operated by a single 2 car class 165/166 and the 30 minute schedule is fine. Why do they need a second unit.

is it so that a second unit could be used to rescue a failed one.

or they are thinking of increasing the frequency.

one issue possibly is that the Class 230 is a 3 car unit so requires extra space and Two 3 car units in the platform is the issue.

Certainly they would have to add a second charging point is there are to be two units in the platform at the same time.

It seems that GWR had a demonstration for the press etc then before most of the reports got issued and videos uploaded etc they suspended the testing.

On 20/03/2024 at 18:51, lilchris said:

Hi there I have just purchased a s/h Class 47 n gauge loco with sound. Is there an easy way to find out what sound files are being used. On my Z21 it reports ESU and the seller told me it is a loksound V5 chip fitted. Most of the sound locos I have up to now are Zimo next 18 so I want to figure out the function list, but it would be nice to know which sounds too, any advice appreciated. I am wondering if JMRI will help, I have a sprog ,must admit I have not used it since I changed to the Z21 system. It will at least tell me what chip is fitted so should be worth connecting up.

Changing from the Z21 to a sprog will not help, the chip is probably an ESU as the Z21 reports and it will not change.

There is no specific way to identify what sound file has been loaded onto the chip and the Z21 or sprog cannot help with the identification. Hence the advise to try to identify what functions the sound file supports, from this hopefully someone can suggest sound file providers who may have produced the file and have used that function layout.

if it is an older class 47 and pre-fitted with sound (item number suffixed DS) or a later version (item suffixed SF) then the provider of the sound file is or was probably South West Digital (SWD). SWD have stopped providing sound files and they are now available from ESU directly (they are now free to download). There may sound fitted moulded into the bottom of the loco which may help. But there is not guarantee that the chip in a s/h loco is the original as it could have been changed.

if the decoder was not pre-fitted then it was probably after market fitted and there is no way to identify the sound file provider from the Z21/sprog. There may be a label with a code of some sort stuck onto the chip, this may help to determine a short list of sound file providers. 
 

By reading some of the CV’s it is sometimes possible to identify the sound file provider but as with the functions it is a question of trying to see a pattern that might match.

one issue is that some sound file providers have issued several versions of their sound files and the functions/CV layout is different. We are talking CV’s specific to the sound file and not the generic ones used by the chip provider or that are part of the NMRA standard.

In the Evening Standard article about Mike Ashley consulting for Hornby, it describes Hornby as the maker of Thomas the Tank Engine. Once again poor reporting or lack of proper research.

47 minutes ago, Kris said:

That was the one that I was looking for when I checked this morning. I have heard that it is due very soon. 

As of 19/03/24 the following are due Q1 I.e before the end of the month

OO.    Class 91,  Class 800,  Class 423 - 4VEP

TT.      Class 50,  Class 66,  Duchess

But anything announced for later in the Year could appear and of course there is also the possibility that there may be unannounced sound profiles.

Hornby have released the Sound Profile for the GWR Hall, this was scheduled for Q4 according to the schedule dated 13/2/24.

However Hornby do not seem to be updating the release list/schedule or have hidden it away again.

The BBC have a bit about the tests
 

Watch: Inside London’s new battery-powered train https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68602173

But included a section about the GWML issues.

However the testing on the Greenford Branch was suspended last week.

Plymouth and Exeter rail disruption as ageing signs replaced https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-68585561

Another case of BBC poor reporting, or Network Rail muddying the issue.

I think it is the signal replacement that is the major cause, not just a few speed limit or whistle signs.

Is anyone else having the issue with the app where the Hornby logo is just a grey panel on every profile in the list and also the background of all the TTS profiles has gone black.

i have tried multiple devices, iPad 15.8 and 17.4 and Android 12 and am getting the same result.

Problem just seems to be displaying the profile list.

1 hour ago, Michanglais said:

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

 

At present the App cannot handle consists. You can however use the App to configure a consist which you can then use with your DCC command station.

see CV 119 which assists in configuring function for a consist.

However you must power your layout using a DCC system and not just a power supply.

6 hours ago, Hesperus said:

Really pleased to see some progress with Vivarails plans, this has been a long time coming.

 

Just a minor point but it seems silly to run these between service trains rather than just use them as the service trains.  If one breaks down it'll still stop the service on the branch until its recovered.  

The Greenford branch is double track throughout except for the terminus stations so a failed train will not block the line entirely.

Answering my own questions. ECS trials seem to have started last Thursday 29th Feb, but all were cancelled on Friday. But some ran today, and 4 trips seem to be scheduled tomorrow 5th.

See RealTimeTrains for schedule, TOC is SO (Rail Adventure).

Seems to run in between the normal class 165 service train trips.

One of the Class 230 battery powered units has made it to the EMU sidings next to Plasser & Theurer, that forms part of the triangle junction at the southern end of the Greenford branch. Has the testing on the branch started or does anyone know when they will enter service.

Is there a reason why Hornby have not released profiles for the TTS chips installed in R6888TTS or R6925TTS I.e the Vans with no motors, or have I missed them somehow.