Hornby DCC Select

Hornby Releases 2006

Comments: It has come as no surprise that Hornby have announced the release of there own DCC system. I would have been shocked if they had not. The 1A power adapter will only be enough to run about 2 trains at a time so for many modellers the 4amp adapter will be a must. The units both look simple to use but both are on the bulky side. I would not like to use either as a walk about controller. The main think most people would want to know is what is the cost?

To comment on the Hornby 2006 Releases click here

All information below comes from Hornby website. Comments added by webmaster.

The new Hornby system differs from the conventional type of 12v system by controlling individual locomotives rather than controlling their speed and direction by varying the current to the track. The Hornby Select and Hornby Elite digital units pass a constant 15v DC current along the rails as well as information signals to locomotives and accessories that are on or connected to the track. Each locomotive that is DCC controlled must have a small micro processor - or decoder - fitted internally. This decoder is capable of ‘listening’ for information or messages are unique to the loco. This unique ’addressing’ of a decoder enables several locomotives to be moved individually on the track and at the same time, without the need for complex wiring and isolating sections! The decoder may also be able to operate lights, fans, and other locomotive features, and will also keep the loco running at a set speed no matter what gradients or loads the model encounters.

The Hornby digital system can also operate points and electrical accessories, in a similar way to controlling a locomotive. A special decoder can be fitted to a section of track close to a chosen point, signal or accessory (or up to four points) and by ‘addressing’ the decoder, the item can be changed through the DCC controller.

Hornby Select
Capable of controlling up to 60 locomotives and 40 accessories, the Hornby Select digital controller is the perfect way to enter the digital world of model railways. the Hornby Select digital controller is the perfect way to enter the digital world of model railways. Each locomotive can be coded with up to 99 levels of acceleration or deceleration speed (inertia). The LCD display screen of the Select shows the number of the loco or accessory which has been selected. Power is through a standard wall mounted transformer which supplies 1 amp 15V DC power to the track; a larger 4 amp transformer is available which will provide additional power to the track for more locomotives to be run at the same time.

Hornby Elite
For those who wish to take their train control to a new and advanced level, the Hornby Elite is the ideal companion. Capable of answering the needs of most railway layouts, this advanced unit with twin control and wide function LCD screen can carry 255 registered locomotive addresses and the same number of accessories, plus a USB portal for linking to a personal computer. Once inputted and assigned, the unit will also display the names and running numbers of locomotives, as well as train direction, speed and function indicators. A clock is also included on the display which can be set to real time or up to 10x faster. The Elite is supplied with a 4 amp transformer which is capable of providing enough power to run approximately eight locomotives at any one time.

Digital control from Hornby can allow the user to do following:

• Multiple train control on all parts of a model railway layout with minimal wiring.
• Independent control or double heading control.
• Coaches with lights stay lit when the train is stationary.
• Realistic train movement with each model able to be given level 1 to 99 inertia settings.
• LED display shows at a glance what locomotive is under control and with the Hornby Elite even more info is available.
• Locomotive decoders are simple to code and program.
• The keyboard is straightforward to use making assigning a locomotive simplicity itself.
• Point operation means fewer wires than with conventional control and no switches!
• Facility on the Select for a larger power pack. More power means more trains running at one time!
• Up to 8 locos can be run at one time on the Select.
• Designed to be NMRA standard.
• The Hornby Elite supports RailCom ID detection.
• Both the Select and Elite will support 14, 28 and 128 speed steps.
• The Select may also be used as a walkabout companion to the Elite.

The new Hornby Select DCC Unit will be included this year in three superb train sets. The Mixed Goods set features a BR 0-6-0 Class 08 and BR 0-6-0T Class 3F Jinty, plus wagons, track and and a new TrakMat, enabling the modeller to shunt wagons around the circuit and into the siding, and double heading the train. The GWR Western Pullman set features GWR Castle Class ‘Whittington Castle’, four Pullman cars, GWR 0-6-0 Class 2721 Pannier loco and three wagons. The extended track layout allows the operator, by using the Select digital unit, to shunt coaches and wagons through the sidings and onto the ‘main line’.

The stunning four-car Pendolino set is representative of Virgin Trains’ latest ‘state of the art’ passenger rolling stock. Alongside the Hornby Select digital unit, the multiple unit can be sped round the track and lights can be turned on or off independently!
 

Full List of Releases