HORNBY Electric Train Sets

A HORNBY Electric Train Set is the best way to get your model railway collection started. And purchasing another train set with different locomotive, carriages and additional track will expand your existing layout. Platforms, buildings, signals, lighting, scenery and landscaping are all available separately and can be added gradually to create a highly realistic model railway.

Building a model railway is great fun and provides a practical learning experience in electronics and wiring. It is an enjoyable activity which can involve the entire family; dad, mum and even the kids !

Which Scale ?

Choosing which scale model railway to build is probably your first decision. Remember that "SCALE" refers to the model size compared to the original. "GUAGE" is the measurement between the rails on the track. Which scale train set is best for you? Well, your budget and the space available will be key factors. However, without any doubt, HO and OO are by far the most common model railway scales in use and offer the largest range to select from.

• HO model trains are 1:87 scale compared to the original prototypes and run on 16.5 mm track.
• OO is 1:76 scale and is generally used for models of British railway prototypes. All the OO models still run on exactly the same 16.5 mm guage track as HO models. The OO models are slightly larger than HO, but the difference is hardly noticeable.

So, both HO and OO scale railway models are big enough to handle easily and also admire the fine detail. The size permits quite decent size circuits of track to be laid within a reasonably small space.

DCC - Direct Command Control

Hornby HO train sets have traditionally run on 12 volt DC power. Altering the transformer voltage running through the track changes the speed of the locomotive. And changing the +/- polarity reverses the train direction.

All this changed significantly with the introduction of the digital DCC (Direct Command Control) system. Released in 2006, the Hornby Select Digital Control system runs on 15 volt DC power.

Now the speed and direction of the train is controlled from within the locomotive itself, not from the voltage on the rails. Each locomotive has a digital decoder chip installed which is programmed with a unique address. The DCC controller sends a coded command along the rails and only the locomotive the command is addressed to will respond. Points, lights, signals and sounds can also be controlled in the same way. To get the most from DCC is is recommended your layout is one entirely live circuit with no isolated sections, loops or sidings. For point and accessory control, a special type of decoder is required.

With the HORNBY digital DCC system it is possible to have several trains on the layout all individually controlled without complicated wiring and isolating switches everywhere !

Converting Locomotives to DCC

You can easily convert your locomotives to DCC. For the last few years the majority of Hornby locomotives have been "DCC Ready", meaning they feature a special socket ready to receive a DCC Decoder. Once this decoder is fitted, the engine will be is ready to use on a DCC controlled layout.

DCC Ready - This blue logo indicates that the locomotive or train pack is fitted with a socket ready to accept a DCC decoder. The locomotive or train pack will require a DCC decoder to be fitted to the socket in order to work on a DCC controlled layout. It CAN still be used on a conventional DC/Analogue layout.

Converting a "non-DCC Ready" locomotive is slightly more difficult and requires some soldering. But this is still relatively easy, even for a novice. Installing the decoder requires only 4 joints to be soldered. Hornby have produced a number of guides to assist in converting non-DCC Ready locomotives.

DCC Fitted - This red logo indicates that the locomotive or train pack is fitted with a socket AND already has a DCC decoder fitted to it. This means the locomotive is ready to be used on a DCC controlled layout. It also means it is NOT suitable to be used on a conventional DC/Analogue layout.

HORNBY Train Sets available from Hobbies, Games "N" More