Martin-369195

I've built my first ever baseboard - my first attempt at any kind of woodworking - measuring 1300mm x 800mm for a roundy roundy / test / run-in layout that occupies my dining room table. The only problem is I overdid it a bit so it's quite cumbersome and heavy. I intend to build another, bigger, lighter, version at some point. Do model railways always expand to fit all available space? I have also got a nano 'layout' though. A single strip of wood 580mm x 70mm with some straight track on it and it sits between my keyboard and mouse. It allows me to play trains while I'm in boring Zoom meetings at work . Accidents do happen though - Flying Scotsman careers off the track and into the printer because I'm asked a question in the meeting! I'm also using this nano layout to experiment with automatic uncoupling with magnets so that I can build another Minories style shelf layout. Experiment 18 was a success. More experiments to follow when more magnets arrive. It'll keep me occupied while I wait for rolling stock and Hornby announcements to arrive. Martin

Thanks Peter

I've just realised my pre order for TT3021TXSM BR, Class 43 HST Train Pack - Era 7 (Sound Fitted) doesn't have the HM7000 TXS logo. Can anyone confirm if this is HM7000 ready or will I need a decoder as well?

Thanks 96RAF. R7337 (https://uk.hornby.com/products/hm7020-psu-solution-harness-digital-15v-4-amp-transformer-r7337) fits the bill and appears to have a 2.5mm jack to connect to the TT:120 TT8029 Digital Power Connecting Track 166mm supplied in the set. Does anyone know the limit of the set supplied transformer - how many locos (ignoring lit pullman coaches)? Martin

Can anyone advise on a suitable replacement for the power supply in a Digital Sound TT:120 set? This is from the HM7000 manual: WARNING… Other Power Sources… Laptop Type Power Bricks and Batteries etc… Generally speaking, the HM7000 decoders will work with any 14VDC – 16VDC regulated power supply. The decoders are however rated up to 27V, so higher voltages could be used…. Do not exceed 20V. DCC Concepts have https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/18v-dc-at-2a-uk-a-medical-grade-power-supply-for-dc-dcc-systems-2-5mm-dc-plug/ (18V, 2A) MegaPoints stock https://megapointscontrollers.co.uk/product/12-volt-8-amp-silent-regulated-power-supply/?v=79cba1185463 (12V, 8A) My very, very limited understanding is that more locos need more amps so the MegaPoints has the amps, but not the volts whereas the DCC Concepts has the volts but not the amps. Are there other, more suitable alternatives? Cheers, Martin

I had exactly the same problem. I returned the coaches to Hornby but this didn't fix the problem. In the end I used a small file to enlarge the square hole that the wheels go into on a curve or solebars if you want to get technical grinning They still aren't running right - Blink Bonny still struggles on curves but the scratching sound has gone - I'll look at them again when I've finished my baseboard and I've got perfectly flat track. Hope this helps, Martin

I had a similar issue with a faulty loco in the Scotsman set that I purchased from Cheltenham Model Centre. I contacted, then returned the loco to Hornby directly. The loco was returned in a few days with a replacement HM7000 chip. Hope that helps, Martin

I've applied a file to gently remove some excess on the bogie corners nearest the solebars as well as on the solebars themselves. The angled slot Silver Fox refers to is where the wheels go into when in a curve and again I've gently filed the sloped part of the slot as well as the ends of the slot. Rallymat, I've not looked at the coils yet - it's on my to do list - but the filing has made a huge difference. The coach runs much more freely with no scraping sound. If you do follow this approach then I suggest little and often and very gently as the last thing you want to do is drag the file over the coach body, solebar or bogie and damage them.

They are the illuminated version, Rallymat.

The coaches in my set do not run very well to the point where Blink Bonny cannot pull them - the loco's wheels just spin without moving forward. It's obvious when pushing a coach that the wheels don't freely move. What makes it worse is that there's a grinding / scraping noise on the R3 curves which is adding to the friction. I've returned the carriages to Hornby for repair which returned with an assurance that the problem was resolved but I think all they did was oil the axles. This set arrived mid-September and I'm yet to get this properly working. Has anyone else experienced this or could suggest how this could be resolved?

@P-Henny - I'm using HM7000. I'll make that clearer in future posts. @Fishmanoz - Thanks for the link

Track Pack 3 allows for a twin track main line. How does the inner loop get power if the points are set to the running lines?