Skelton Junction

If only we knew how long before HM7k’s release I’d know whether to buy the Arnold dc shunter for testing around the layout or hang on an go full DCC from the off. The Arnold would become pretty much a static £108 if so. The erroneous curve comes from the stated requirements for track pack 1.

I’ve seen that tillig do flexi track with concrete sleepers and as my plan is era 7 based it’ll include the transition from wooden to concrete. After the initial hornby extended packs are in place any extensions (hopefully elevated) will be tillig flexi but this is way in the future and hornby may have produced flexi track with concrete sleepers by then.

Controller issues aside, there’s a modicum of envy felt from this writer as I see what the “sunlit uplands” may look like as I’m a good few months behind you pioneers.

Thank you, both. EBay and Amazon orders placed. Remaining track to complete up to pack 5 arriving tomorrow. Base board ready. Some folks on here giddy about their pre ordered locos pitching up whilst I’m excited about a roll of cork and pva glue.

I’m minded to raise the track bed and had thought underlay but can’t find a Hornby dedicated product. I’ve learned that peco track has a different sleeper width so their product won’t fit. There’s a cork one on eBay I’ve spotted. I’m going to ballast afterwards. Any pointers from the seasoned modellers on here?

Feel sorry for the eBayers with bidders’ remorse

Deadline extended says the website, but doesn’t give a date.

approximate extra £40 (£34 with the 15%) more when ordered separately than as packs but all are in stock which would suggest hornby are waiting on supply of the boxes the packs come in rather than the actual track pieces. I’m sure a lot of us would be happy to receive the bundles without boxes edit: the cost difference is less than my original maths so I’ve cancelled packs 1-5 too and ordered all pieces separately and they’re due next week. Also helps with budgeting come spring time’s arrivals.

Copy that, fishy.

yes, makes sense, thank you. Double checked my (pre) order and it’s R7321

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255957319108?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=F2vpCrApQeW&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=AlU9-FRJTDW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

thank you David, much appreciated and, as hoped for, speedier than emailing the very busy folks at Hornby

Just for quick piece of mind, I’ve pre ordered the above in the belief/hope they’re HM7k compliant in due course (spring ‘23. Expected).

dodge, I’ve pre ordered an 08 and a 6 pin decoder (both showing spring ‘23) hoping this’ll be HM7k compliant and I’m hovering over either of the Arnold shunters (dc and in stock but last few) just to get something moving.

I’ve ordered both types of track power connector to (hopefully) run dc initially via the trusty but ageing duette and then switch to HM7k once available. Now all I need is a cheap and in stock loco to run on dc

12mm ply 5x4 battened with 2x1 as per website’s recommendation for my inaugural TT Hornby centric layout.

Thank you P-H. I’ve ordered so the journey has begun

Hi, As my planned new layout will be era 7, I’ve no real need for either the easterner or Scotsman sets which are the only two currently available (pre-order due in the summer) that are DCC fitted. However, they do come with an oval of track and ext pack 1. track packs 1-5 don’t include the original oval it appears, so is that to be bought separately? if the track packs 2-5 are ordered (spring eta) and I go for one of the two sets above there’s still a gap of a few months before a working layout is in my possession. so, can the completed fully extended layout be ordered without buying a set? Then, once I’ve got the basics done I can see which DCC era7 loco is soonest to arrive, (HM7k allowing.) I think fishguyoz alluded to self chipping an 08 but a, I’m not really familiar with the concept and b, I’d prefer the manufacturer to do it given the price I’m paying and for their expertise.

That’s the one thing I have done :)

Hi @fishmanoz thankyou for the information, most valuable to a very rusty returnee like me and I take onboard your DCC advice My wish list on the website changes every couple of days! I’ve gone from having all of my ideal start up requirements to then analysing eta on them and now thinking baseboard and track at first only as, if I have a loco in a box waiting to run I’ll rush the most important bits. juggling my wishes, the availability of product and tempering my enthusiasm to get going with product I can get is not something I expected at 60 edit. I’ve yet to actually (pre) order anything due to not wanting to rush in

Update: I’ve received the green light for a 5’x4’ table top so the initial plan is for the full extension pack layout to begin with and wander elsewhere in the future. Given the current lead time is spring 2023 for the track packs I’ll need a dc loco to accompany them (that arrives at the same time) and wait for the dcc fitted locos to appear so I can go HM 7000 (I’ve a HM duette to use in the interim).

Longsight yard is the inspiration here. Agree lots of rolling stock required, eventually.

This is good for anyone that knows the old Llandudno junction set up http://6gshed.co.uk/chrisevanspage.html

Thank you for the info so far. I’ve looked at scarm but obviously not closely enough. @dodge. I’m planning on echoing the elevated parts from Skelton Junction where I first got hooked, the train sheds from Llandudno junction (now where a cineworld is but sympathetically on the same footprint) and the rest is yet to be conjured up. I do I like the idea of a centrally placed grand station too.