Slats

@john L thanks. J

Hi wondering where I can get information on when the Hornby TT120 phase 3 class 37 will be available? thanks John

I think there seems in a lot of what I’m reading on this forum (not just this thread), a degree of general annoyance caused not only by my reasonable questions but others too. There’s lot of statements saying and I’m, paraphrasing that this has been asked before or dealt with in another thread or is in the manual, or is clearly labelled in a general discussion read this first bit. I can’t speak for others who are equally as guilty as I in raising questions such as mine, and I won’t, but from my perspective I’m not asking for others to simple concierge me to an easy and lazy pathway of knowledge. Yes, I have read the sticky’s, yes I have read the manual, yes I have Googled it, yes I have used the search function on this forum, yes I have searched other forums, and yes I have sought out YouTube videos, and yes I have found kind folk along the way to help. And no I’m not thick. HM7000 to me was marketed as a game changer. Perhaps it is. However, like anything people will have questions. I’m returning to the hobby after 10 years break. Until TT120 came along I didn’t think I’d be back in model railways. I don’t have the room for OO or HO, and my N scale stuff (North American 1/160) is too small for my eyes. I am disappointed to read somewhat continually via tone or even direct comments that questions like mine are easily answered / have been before. This hobby costs a lot of money, especially around the locomotive and electrical equipment and I for one don’t want to inadvertently damage things, so forgive me again for enquiring. Perhaps a better welcome to the hobby would be to take these questions of annoyance as feedback that people can’t readily find answers to their questions, and that given that this is on a Hornby site, that it’s passed over to Hornby to improve things. My initial question on this thread is entirely reasonable. Anyone who has used a DC trainset, or DCC system would be familiar with having multiple operators. Indeed, mum or dad buying a trainset now would expect that there might be a way that a couple of kids could drive trains together. I’m grateful to the people who have taken the time here to help improve my understanding.

@Fishmanoz Yes - and I have read all the FAQs published too and manuals i.e. https://uk.hornby.com/hm7000/hm-dcc-guides

as someone who has tried reading everything and now relying upon the kindness of more learned strangers to fill in a lot of gaps in my knowledge, it would be great for Hornby to actually look at the questions being asked and via the frequency of them, perhaps expand the manual. Simon K - stated there would be newcomers to TT120 and with that HM7000, so why is the bulk of the documentation written for the learned and experienced DCC operator?! - It would seem that Hornby could and should with it's stated goals spend a little more time on inking the detail of reasonable questions for the newbee

@Brew Man thanks - but where is this located? I'm not using any Hornby track at all. I'm using PECO.

@Fishmanoz I’m not following you. This removal of the small capacitor etc. Why is this necessary?

@P-Henny Thank you I’m understand this I think. What you saying is I simply wire up my new TT120 layout that I intend to have HM7000 decoder fitted locos on the same way I wired up my old N scale DCC layout. Connect my NCE DCC system to the track. Download the HM7000 app to my compatible smart device. With the NCE DCC system on, put a loco with HM7000 on the track – configure it as per the instructions etc – making sure that it has an address for DCC. To run the loco turn off the Bluetooth control on the smart device and select DCC. On the NCE Powercab “select loco” via punching in the 4 digit address And that’s it. @Fishmanoz - not understanding what opening the box means - I'm not planning on using the power track at all. I was initially going to plug in Hornby's 15v power supply digital connector to the track (via as per the advice in the thread on "Queries of HM7000 power sources), a nylon terminal block connector.

However, Hornby advises track power of 15v DC for HM7000, NCE recommends measuring the output of the Power Cab using an AC Voltmeter. The measurement is made at the back of the Power Cab Panel (PCP) and should read approximately 13.8VAC. I have read the sticky on compatible controllers and again I'm unsure what to do. Should I for example plonk a new HM7000 decoder fitted loco on a track with my DCC NCE unit wired to the track or do I plug in the 15vDC Hornby power supply I have and somehow get the DCC NCE system to be powered from this? I appreciate to some of you reading this that my questions might seem silly, but I'm very new to HM7000, yet to lay my hands on a TT loco with it, came back to the hobby only because of TT120, and my N scale DCC layout knowledge is a decade old. For some saying that all this info has been posted before, I am searching for it - but I don't yet have the vocabulary of terms yet understood to accurately find it or understand it so sorry again. I don't presume my old knowledge is useful, I'm just trying to understand how it all works. Along the way, I reading as much as I can find. Thanks

@P-Henny thanks - I think I'm slowly getting it. So what this means if you are used to having people over to drive trains - as I did with my N scale NCE DCC layout having separate controllers- you can no longer do so with HM7000!? The best I can hope for I guess is buy 2 smart devices (I was going to get 2 cheap tablets -checking for compatibility) and put specific locos on each device for 2 people to take charge. If I do so will I need to register 2 different Hornby accounts? I've poured over the FAQs and manuals and I haven't read this anywhere - so thanks for letting me know. The manuals don't even show explicitly how to turn a train off - i.e.e.g You drive into a siding and are done with the loco, do you simply make it inactive? Thanks again John

I'm sorry if this has been covered on other forums. I must seem daft! However: First - I'm not a forum person - I have nonetheless Googled this. Second - I'm in Australia - my TT120 locos are arriving a few weeks from the UK. - Not all of us had the same access to TT120 products. Maybe this will make sense when my locos arrive? Third - I have poured over the HM7000 FAQs and I still don't understand everything. I not following what your saying - sorry. With my NCE DCC system, you'd call up the locos code and start running. To end the loco you'd simply park it and call up another in its place. So long as two operators with separate NCE cab controls called up separate locos there would be no clash. I'm hoping simply for my son on his smart device to be able to drive 1 train and me to drive another. I don't need to hand over control or vice versa. So do we simply download the app to both devices and then link to the Bluetooth decoders of the trains separately? Thanks

@P-Henny thank you very much - great information. Much appreciate it. John

Hi wondering if you can wire directly the Hornby 15v 4 Amp unit to the track? That is not use the R8241 Digital Power Track. Asking as I want to install short protection between the power supply and the track and create 2 power districts. I also don't like the look of this track. Thanks

Hi I'm moving away from my NCE DCC system to HM7000. I am wondering if I can use 2 smart devices for HM7000? I.e. One I can use, whilst my son uses the other as per having two controllers. Thanks

Reading all this with keen interest, and notwithstanding the lengths I'm doing to access stock from the UK to get around the SMS killjoy monopoly blockade of Australia, I wonder whether Heljan and Gaugemaster might reconsider developing TT120? I think Hornby's key failure with the launch of TT120, is that in their minds they were selling to a new market of trainset buyers, and forget about serious model railway enthusiasts. I also think they did so with their elbows out - wanting a monopoly of the scale for British locos and rolling stock. But here's the silly thing - do online sales only (as initially was the case) reach new trainset buyers? I think this is where retailers do have a key role. Coming from North American N 1:160 where all manner of DCC functions, lights, and sounds are typically fitted in a large variety of locos, I'm puzzled that the Hornby TT120 offerings are so basic. Perhaps they are thinking that the trainset buyers could not care less. I'm not knocking train set buyers - but I think Hornby has played platitudes and promises to the enthusiast, all the while marketing TT as "tabletop" for trainsets. If Hornby were so committed to TT120 long-term to enthusiasts, why is there no flex track in the pipeline (perhaps there is) and or other features that support layout construction?

Hi My son and I are very much in the planning stage of my layout. I have a bit of space and I want to build along the walls of the garage with a continuous track and some switching yard work coming to an end. I am thinking of building this in 4 modules. I've always had an interest in this American track plan - albeit for S scale. I won't be following this entirely but will be wanting to take some ques from it for a fictional English countryside that has a heritage operation, small freight, and infrequent passenger services. I'm thinking late 20th Century. I'll be adding a return loop at the end of the right-hand side module. There will be room for a trawler and tug boat alongside a wharf on the right hand side of the module too. As far as scale goes, the length along the wall of my TT120 layout will be approaching 4m. The width of the modules along the wall will be 50 to 60cm, and the width of the two left and right-hand modules to cope with R3 return loop curves will be 850mm. Anyway that's the dream. I'm sweating on the availability of new TT diesels - I know these are a way off yet. I have a shunter coming and a Flying Scotsman for the heritage bit.

I'm really enjoying the videos Peachy. Wondering what cork underlay is the right size for TT and where you would get it from? thanks J

@Rallymatt hi wondering who is running the contest? Thanks

@Going Spare According to the SMS website they are the Hornby distributors - but as others have said you can order non TT stuff through Hornby online in the UK, and I have certainly got Airfix that way too previously. With the commencement of willing retailers in the UK selling to me, I finally have a supply of things inbound that were never in stock in Australia at all! The thing I really resent about this is that Australia is the only nation where we can't be TT members!! Why we can't pay the fee and join, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's not like SMS in being the Monopoly supplier of bugga all TT was ever going to administer the TT club for Hornby in Australia so this is one area that Aussies are actively discriminated against by Hornby. Anyway I running the blockade!! Stuff em!

The issue for me first and foremost is product access, and this extends to other products too, like Airfix for example. There’s been a long-held excuse that the cost of doing business via freight etc drives up the cost of the final product in Australia. Whilst there is an element of that, the biggest cost is the exclusive rights deal forces retailers here to have limited and very expensive products on their shelf. Retailers have little to no margin to compete amongst themselves and this makes it hard for them to hold the entire stock of a range. SMS are also in business to make money and are taking their cut, so this by-in large means that Australians pay more for limited goods in a prolonged timeframe. I don’t blame retailers here for having limited stock, if there is not much in it for them. Perhaps the UK retailers who are dealing with Hornby direct (no middle agency like SMS taking a cut), means that they can stock more and make more? Going by what the retailers list here as out of stock showing a price, my UK order that I have just done was still cheaper – after freight, and after I pay GST (like VAT) on the order this end too. I could only dream of getting a discount like what has been mentioned through the club etc, but after a while, the prospect of discounts to me diminishes, and access to the product becomes more important. The thing I really don’t like is I’m locked out of all the club information for forthcoming product developments. I’m just grateful there is a very kind and supportive community that can help fill in the blanks.

@Fishmanoz No I haven't raised the issue with the UK suppliers - I'm not going too either. I guess I'm a bit worried that the tentacles of the SMS agreement might reach far. All I'm wanting to do is get on with the Hobby. I really would like membership access to the various info etc that other's can get. Just saw a youtube with Simon K a few months back claiming how wonderful SMS are in Australia- and that any problems reach out to SMS who are there to help... (yeah right - talk to the hand). I'm sure you are aware they don't have any comms with the lowly buyer - they only communicate with retailers. Simon K's states that SMS had 11 or so retailers signed up for Hornby TT - so it's really interesting that Hornby felt the need to punt off the management of just 11 retailers to an exclusive rights deal with SMS!!! I have received 2 e-mails back from Hobby - apologizing for lack of product and delay and stating that their marketing team is looking into it. But like you say - won't hold my breath! I've had 2 quite candid convos with two of the largest retailers here (I'm sure you know the ones), who openly acknowledge that SMS orders things in batches and they are stuck, unable to supply things that fall outside of the batch stock order. There are many many customers that have rang / e-mailed and are in the same situtaion. And these are customers that they eventually will lose.

Found some UK suppliers over the last couple of days who will happily take my money for Hornby TT and will send it down under. I'm not going to mention who - as until Hornby formally lifts the ban on sales to Australia I don't want these suppliers to be put under pressure. I'm just happy that bits and pieces that I've been wanting for months for, that have been and are available in the UK that SMS won't supply to local retailers, are now heading my way. sunglasseshugging_face It would be great at some stage for Hornby to invite Australians back into the family via extending club TT membership and ending the SMS monopoly which is neither in Hornby's best interest nor people like myself. unamused

Hi I'm trying to find details on when the phase 3 locomotives Brush class 37 are likely to be available. I'm also wanting to find out when Peco will release curved points. thanks John

Thanks - I got an e-mail back a short time ago from Hornby customer service saying that passed on the issue to the Hornby Marketing Team. But might be time to pass it on to Olly Raeburn too.

I'm reading this with considerable interest. I have sent an e-mail to Hornby customer service about how bad the situation is - along with a shopping list. If Simon K was still there I'd be on the phone. Does anyone know who the "right" person is at Hornby to take this seriously and find out how to correct this? When I read "excluding Australia" it's not nice. I'd like to be a club member, just to be able to read online the announcements and info that is locked off - surely they could provide an electronic/online type membership?! As a keen Airfix modeler, I have always gone online to the UK to buy models, especially new releases, because by the time that SMS brought them here the ROW had them for years and the markup passing through layers of middle agents is just silly. Recently a few stores in the UK won't supply me anymore. I am the very person that TT is aimed at - OO too big, and my eyes are too old now for N. I want Hornby TT to be a success. As far as I'm concerned I will continue to look for every loophole possible to get a supply that I need to buy. I did not sign an exclusive purchasing agreement with SMS - I wonder if I too should report the deal to the ACCC and cite the free trade agreement between UK/ AUS too. I have just found the link to the ACCC - it looks like that the Hornby / SMS deal falls into the area of exclusive dealing", which can be illegal and therefore I'll plonk in a complaint. https://www.accc.gov.au/business/competition-and-exemptions/exclusive-dealing It's ridiculous that Hornby on-line sell to New Zealand (freight wise it's a tad further away) and yet Australia is in the too-hard basket.