[Dennis David]

I'm reading a couple of things here and I'm not sure what is correct.

1. On average it takes more than 1 amp to run 8 locomotives but less than 4.
2. A system that supports a computer interface, has 4 amps, xpressnet and RailCom goes beyond what I consider a starter system.
3. I don't know what get it right really means. If a system can and is updated on a regular basis then to me this is not a bad thing.

 

[Doug]

Railcom info here.

For me a starter system is just that - something to start with, with the intention of expanding. To expand, you need to connect and to connect you need a protocol.

With this system, you CAN buy a set with a Select controller, then add an Elite controller and the two will work together. Tho this you can add Lenz modules or anything else Hornby may produce in the future.

Regarding amps. A Hornby A4 model draws 0.15 amp when rolling by itself; 0.25 amp when held stationary at the buffers, but with wheels freely sliding on the track; and 1.3 amp with the motor stalled (don't try this unless your decoder can handle the current).

So with one Select system at 1 amp, you could theoretically run 4 locos at once safely, but if there was a problem your system may overload. Points and signals also use current. A Peco point motor could draw up to 2 amp to throw the point.

 

[Dennis David]

4 locos on 1 amp may be pushing it. I would have prefered 2 amps. Also keep in mind how many cars you connect and the grades you may traverse.

But hey it's all fun.

 

[Gary]

QUOTE You don't need to know how electronic ignition and fuel injection work on a car before you buy one, only how many miles per gallon it does and how fast it goes.

Precisely!

If a car can do 0-60 mph in 7 seconds and top out at 140mph and can be bought new for £7000 then I want that car! I don't care how it works under the bonnet.

Have any of you seen that "PC World" advert on TV over Xmas with that slick young sales assistant in a blue shirt telling the young couple all about the laptop she is trying to hawk "Its got an Intel 4 precessor with 512GB of ram and a DVD-R Writer and blah blah blah and its only £699!" Now this advert is going out to 5,000,000 viewers. Pants! I have been into a "PC World" store recently and I can tell you that the staff in the real world are definitely not that slick!

Sadly the DCC world suffers from the "PC World" syndrom in its marketing.

All I want to know is that given that I want to do X, will Y do the job, which knobs and buttons do I have to press, and how much does it cost.

And if option 1 does what I want for half the price of option 2, because option 2 does things that I put no value on, then option 1 it is. If later on I have 5 kids, then option 1 is part exchanged for option 2!

If Hornby have come up with a Model T Ford and a manual that tells you how to put petrol in the tank then great!

All the views are my own and I don't mean any offence to anybody who enjoys the technical side of things!

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Rail-Rider]

There is an inescapable similarity between the overly slick PC World anecdote and ' I don't want to know how it works, just buy it' syndrome.
One could be hard pressed to see a significant difference.

On topic
Digital control is very often not quite the simple plug'n'play operation that is often portrayed. If it were, most digital discussion wouldn't exist. We are very fortunate to have people here who know their subject and are willing to help others to avoid mistakes.

As very clearly pointed out earlier, those who don't want more information have always been free to ignore it.
Some of them may have bought a Betamax, a Sinclair C5 or a Zero-1.

Some of us would like to avoid that scenario and free interchange of information is about the most effective way to do it. Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, but mocking and dumbing down others, who seek more, may well offend.

 

[ChrisE]

Can somebody please confirm when the Hornby system is likely to become available? I had thought that I had read Autumn but having followed links here it appears that dealers have definite prices and are accepting orders. This suggests something much earlier.

Chris

 

[Doug]

QUOTE (ChrisE @ 5 Jan 2006, 19:17)Can somebody please confirm when the Hornby system is likely to become available? I had thought that I had read Autumn but having followed links here it appears that dealers have definite prices and are accepting orders. This suggests something much earlier.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't think anyone can answer that right now. I have been told that further technical info will arrive shortly regarding the DCC systems. Perhaps the release dates will be with that news.

 

[speedy]

I emailed Hornby earlier this week about availabity and release, and was told DCC would be available 4th quarter of this year.

 

[Doug]

Oh well that's a shame, but I suppose they have to build it first.

Remember that It took Hornby a year to produce the Scalextric Sport Digital racing system and two years to produce the Scalextric Sport World race management and Internet racing system after announcing the products at the 2004 British Toy Fair.

 

[Great Northerner]

Hi, having looked at the new Hornby DCC set info, I have a query. Two of the sets feature two locos - one of which has been tooled with DCC sockets, so presumably the decoder will be plugged in, or hard wired? However, the second loco in each set (either a Jinty or Pannier) do not have decoder sockets, so will they just use address OO? If so I can imagine a lot of people asking "Why does the small loco make such a loud screeching noise when its not even moving?"

 

[Gary]

Looking at the info it seems that in sets with two locomotives both come with chips already fitted. How these are fitted is an unknown.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Hornby are very likely going to have working development models of their new Digital control units on show at the London Toy Fair (trade only).

There will probably be one or two forum members attending the London Toy Fair so if any members can think of questions that they would like to ask about the new Hornby Digital Control Units then we will see what we can obtain by way of answers. Hopefully they will allow visitors to have a hands on play.

Hornby Digital is currently scheduled to go on sale in September.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[spongebob]

If they are going to make virtually everything they release ths year it might act as a kick up the backside to bachmann who still see fit to release brand new steam loco's without a dcc socket. Its surprising looking on their website to see just how many loco's they do both in blue ribband and the older stuff which aren't dcc ready. Perhaps their project for this year could be to remotor all the split chassis loco's they do.