Where to start?

Hi Tony,

The alignment and length issues in AnyRail were small, so I assumed when using real track pieces it would work out ok. But it’s always nice to have experience from other users before buying.

In addition, the single and double crossing pieces are also the same length as an R600, which is handy.

It was because I knew that many Hornby track pieces that contain straight sections standardise on a rail length of 168mm to make them interchangeable, that Rob's comment that R600 was 184mm set alarm bells ringing. Hence why I went and researched track part lengths in my previous reply EDIT 2.

In addition to the level crossings having track lengths of 168mm, so do the power connector straights and one side of the diamond crossings. Incidently, the other longer side of the diamond crossing has a length of 181mm.

EDIT: I have subsequently raised the product page track length discrepancies with Hornby admin to be corrected.

I've decided on a Terrier for my radius 1 town track. It's a really nice looking loco, and I think the carriages are some of the best looking that I've seen so far.

However, in the R3960 Terrier Track Pack, it states that the minimum radius is 1, but when looking at all the carriages individually, they all say minimum radius is 2. Is this a description error in the carriages, or the Terrier Train Pack? I also couldn't find any information if the carriages in this pack come with fitted lights using the Maglight system.

I have to admit that the information on the Hornby website could use some updating and improvements.

The carriages in this train pack are short wheelbase four wheeled carriages, thus theoretically they could be compatible with Radius 1 curves.

The accuracy of the technical data on this new website, is something that regularly gets discussed between Hornby and the forum mods. Projects are being planned for next year to update, correct and improve technical data. Hornby's current focus for the website is the crucial Christmas sales period and next Springs new product launches, so do not expect to see any significant improvements in product page data accuracy until after these website activities.

Personally, knowing what I know as a mod with access to Hornby admin plus the content of mod discussions already held with Hornby admin, I would take Hornby's published product technical data with a pince of salt. For example the Hornby product page for this pack states that the loco DCC socket is 8 pin. But other retailer sites state that the loco is 6 pin. Given that the loco is an 0-6-0 loco, then I would tend to favour the 6 pin retailer's listing as being more accurate. But to be honest, the DCC socket could be either.

Although the coaches are comparatively short wheelbase (theirs are greater than the loco itself), it may be the NEM couplings with their limited ability to pivot sideways that are the critical factor. In the catalogue the train pack is stated to be 2nd Radius upwards.

Unless anyone can post with personal experience of operating a new Terrier with 4-wheel coaches around 1st radius curves, I would suggest you pick the brains at Hornby Customer Services.

I did a little bit of snooping around and came across this video.

https://youtu.be/BXTYzf6hE3I

If this video is the correct information, which it seems to be, Hornby having incorrect information of their own website about their own product that could potentially cost someone money for buying the wrong product is rather poor. Some of the Terrier models on the Hornby website are indeed listed as 6pin, so is it possible newer models have moved to an 8pin?

Either way, I definitely won’t be buying my decoder at the same time as my loco, so I can open it up first and see what’s what.

Is the customer service side of Hornby reliable with their information? I’ll drop them a line with my questions on this subject and see if they can help.

Referring to the catalogue once again, all the free-standing Terrier models are quoted as having a 6-pin decoder socket; it is only the train pack loco that is stated to be 8-pin. All these locos will use the same chassis so I think it is safe to assume the reference to 8-pin is incorrect.

Most regrettably, Hornby's attention to published detail has been sadly lacking this year and despite having worked closely with them for over 20 years, I have to say their 'new' website has been (and still is, 9 months later) little short of a disaster in many areas. Noting Chrissaf's comments, I fear next January will be even worse for them sorting out post-Christmas purchase problems, including purchases having been made on the basis of incorrect information.

My reply from Hornby:

”Hello there, 

Thank you for your email. For the decoder, all of our Terrier models accommodate a 6-pin decoder, the reference to the 8-pin decoder is an error, and one that I will arrange to have removed from the website. The train pack should run without issues on radius 1, radius 2 is normally advised as a safe minimum but for such small items such as the terrier and the coaches I would not hesitate to run them on radius 1 myself. The coaches included with this pack do not include the maglight system, however these can be added.”

I hope this information can be used to help others on the forum as it clears up some misinformation.

Was there an 'SK' reference in this response?

Sounded like it could have been from him !

Al.

Close Al, it was SC.