Hello.
I am a Brit living in the USA, and I would like to get back into Model Railways after many years away from the hobby. I am still a big fan of British trains, and would like to build a layout using Peco code 75 track. I would like to run Hornby trains using DCC.
Has anybody had any experience with this is the USA, as the voltage requirements are different?
Many thanks.
slapshot - Welcome to trains.com! [C):-)]
I am also a Brit living in the USA. We run Hornby all the time on US layouts. Voltages at track level are the same. British OO scale runs fine on HO track. With code 75 be sure to use newer Hornby models, older stuff will have too deep flanges. Follow my youtube link in my signature to see several Brit trains running on a huge Digitrax DCC layout.
Thanks very much for the warm welcome and the information.
It looks like Peco track is pretty expensive over here in the States. Is there a comparable track that is made in the USA?
You might be interested in the BRMNA (British Railway Modellers of North America).
They have a web site and you might find the info you need, and other stuff.
As to a power source, Hornby was sold in Canada, so they did make things for 60Hz.
Model trains run on DC. The mains voltage and frequency has no effect at track level. Hornby USA sells trains here in the USA. The only thing you don’t want to do is to use a UK power rated power pack, such as a Hornby 240 V analog pack over here. When decoder equipped any Hornby loco will run on a US DCC layout. In just the same way locos from the US are run alll the time on layouts in Europe.
What scale are you planning? I assumed OO/HO but perhaps you are N? I use PECO turnouts in conjunction with Atlas track. Code 100, because I do run some of my old Hornby models. You might look atbprices from places loke Hattons of Liverpool. They ship to the US and deduct VAT so can be competetive when compared to getting the Brit stuff here.
Do you run the Hornby Elite DCC system, or is there one that you would recommend?
I would be running OO/HO.
Do you use this Atlas track?
https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/items.asp?Cc=H900&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=
A very good source of HO scale Peco track in the U.S. is Cherry Creek Hobbies in Torriington, Wyoming. Will Garralts has the cheapest Peco prices I’ve found anywhere this side of the pond.
Greetings from another Brit stateside. I use Atlas track with an NCE powercab DCC controller. My recommendation to you is buy US control system and track, it will cost you much less and, in my opinion will be better than the Hornby Elite. There’s quite a few choices of DCC controllers out there, I like NCE others will like options like Digitrax, MRC and so on. It’s a personal preference thing.
One word of warning, Hornby wheel sets are often out of guage with NMRA standards. This only matters when traversing points or crossovers etc where you may find, even with the new products, they will derail. Buy yourself an NMRA HO guage tool, check the gap between the wheels, you can adjust to make them run better by using a nail set and hammer on the axles.
Oh and Hattons is pretty much always cheaper than buying Hornby in the states, but isn’t the only option. Rails of Sheffield and Model Railways Direct are also pretty good and both also won’t charge VAT.
Dan
I use a Digitrax system. I would not go for the Hornby Elite. No US support and you will have to find a power supply for it.
No , I use Atlas code 100 flex track and Peco insulfrog swithes. If I did not want to run my deep flange locos I would use a thinner code.
Hi slapshot
I live in Australia Peco is expensive here too.
My current tiny layout is Peco, Atlas and a solitary Flieschmann un guarded level crossing all code 100 set track
I have had no problems running Hornby, Triang, Bachmann Branch line, Hornby Dublo (two rail) or Bachmann TTE trains.
The layout also has run European, Underground Ernie, Australian and US trains with no track problems.
As long as you keep to a consistent good standard of track laying you should not have to many problems.
I would however suggest that you stick to one only brand of points and crossings in spite of the cost consideration
Whoop Whoop Bias Alarm Bias Alarm!!! That brand being Peco I have not had any problems with those
That is in spite of the wide variety of trains and brands that have and do run on my layout.
If you are planing a large layout then flex track is defiantly the way to go code 100 Atlas would do the job
Hope this helps
regards John
John, I have never tried Peco, from what you say would I not have the same flange gap problems with Peco switches as I do with Atlas? I use code 83.
Dan
Hi cooped
Having not used Atlas switches, (I will not use anything other than Peco points) I could not tell you but I can tell you I have not had problems with the Peco code 100 track
I have to use that code the Triang trains won’t run on anything smaller the older ones used to run on million pound per yard rail the newer ones I have run on that sized rail but have a slightly better wheel profile.
That will allow them to run on modern code 100 rail but not on anything smaller.
Given the results I have had would think the Peco code 80 what ever it is thats made for the US market would give the same result not sure how it would go, with older models from the early days.meant to run on million pound per yard rails.
regards John
Thanks, I think I’ll try a Peco turnout, see how it compares with the Hornby.
Dan
Hi cooped
The Peco code 100 track both set track and streamline is compatable with the new Hornby track.
so is the Atlas code 100 plain track as I said I cannot speak on Atlas points as I dont use anything other than Peco code 100 points.
I used the I found one that works and I am sticking with it method of doing things
once you find the one that works for you I sugest you do the same.
With track work once you have the one that works so much depends on it for reliable running its best to stay with that one.
But then my bias is well and truly with Peco.
regards John
I am another Peco advocate using the code 100 turnouts with Atlas flex. I like the fact that they are available as either insulated or electrical frogs. I also like the fact that the points have a solid positive spring, so they don’t require a switch machine. Until very recently, my parents lived in SW England, not too far from the factory in Beer. This is a great place to visit BTW. So I like the idea of buying a British made product. Which no doubt explains the cost, but I have never had one fail. We are in the process of replacing all Atlas switches on my sons N scale layout with Peco. The Atlas ones require too much work to get them to function reliably. I have never used the HO scales ones, so don’t know if they have the same issues?
I’ll try and get hold of a peco code 83 (HO) turnout this weekend and I’ll let you all know how it makes out. Haven’t heard from the OP recently, hopefully this is all useful and they are getting what they need.
Dan