Hornby Triplex Sound and HM7000 Bluetooth control
Hornby’s Steam Generator ‘P2’
Sound and smoke are now factory fitted with the arrival of Hornby’s steam generator Gresley ‘P2’ 2-8-2 2007 Prince of Wales. MIKE WILD takes this enticing new release for a spin and operation its capability in words, pictures and video.
HM7000 Bluetooth Legacy Dongle
When first released last year, Hornby’s new HM7000 system provided an innovative new way to control your model railway by embracing the capabilities of present-day smart devices.
Bluetooth TXS for Hornby ‘9F’
Hornby’s recently retooled ‘OO’ gauge BR Standard ‘9F’ 2-10-0 (HM185) gains a new outing finished as 92002 in BR black with early crests – and the addition of the manufacturer’s new Bluetooth Triplex Sound (TXS).
TXS 8-pin Installation Hornby Class 31 Upgrades
The Hornby Class 31 is a simple locomotive to add Triplex Sound into and in this guide we move on to upgrade the speaker. MIKE WILD explains how.
VIDEO: TXS 21-pin Installation Hornby HST Power Cars
The latest generation Hornby Class 43 High Speed Train power cars set out to make sound installation simple. MIKE WILD adds a pair of TXS 21-pin chips to EMT liveried 43049 and 43060 and demonstrates the finished models on video.
Installing Hornby Triplex sound in ‘TT:120’ scale
Hornby’s new collection of ‘TT:120’ scale locomotives makes use of the smallest and most compact DCC interface - Next18. MIKE WILD explains what it is and how it works.
Using the HM|DCC APP to upload a sound profile
For new and experienced DCC users, the HM|DCC app makes setting up a model easier than ever. MARK CHIVERS shows how in a simple step-by-step guide.
TXS Power Supplies - Power Options
There are three primary options to power HM7000 Bluetooth-controlled trains. MARK CHIVERS looks at the possibilities.
What is Hornby's HM7000?
Hornby launched a new way to control model railways in 2023. MARK CHIVERS explains how the HM7000 system works - and why you should consider it.
Hornby Triplex Sound Bluetooth decoder choices
Hornby offers a range of Bluetooth-enabled DCC decoders for all budgets and purposes. MARK CHIVERS explains their capabilities and differences.
Flying Scotsman gains sound in ‘TT:120’
The famous Gresley ‘A3’ 4-6-2 is now available in ‘TT:120’ scale with Hornby’s new Triplex Sound installed from the factory. MIKE WILD inspects this new arrival.
Triplex Sound for the Hornby Class 08
Hornby’s new Bluetooth Triplex Sound chips provide a simple means of adding stay alive, but can you fit all the components into the Hornby Class 08? MIKE WILD shows how in this step-by-step guide.
HM|DCC App goes Android
Hornby has launched the Android version of its new HM|DCC Bluetooth model railway control app, which is now available from the Google Play Store.
How to install Hornby Triplex sound in the Class 56
A new breed of Bluetooth sound chip is here with the arrival of Hornby’s Triplex Sound decoders. MIKE WILD installs the 8-pin variant in a Hornby Class 56 and explains the set up process step by step.
KEY MODEL WORLD TV SHOW - APRIL 2023
Join the Hornby Magazine team from the Statfold Model Railway Exhibition as Mike and Mark present the latest edition of the Key Model World TV Show. In this edition we feature Ian Woodward's Wardwood layout, tour the Statfold Model Railway Exhibition and take a first look at the Hornby Triplex Sound and Bluetooth control system. Sign up for a Freemium account to watch the full video here together with exclusive images.
Hornby Triplex Sound and HM7000 Bluetooth control system
Since launching its Zero 1 Digital Control System in the late 1970s, Hornby has innovated with technology and this year the company is set to launch its all-new HM7000 Bluetooth Digital Control System. New in the Hornby 2023 product line up is a range of Bluetooth equipped digital sound decoders for model railways which are set to revolutise train control.
At the heart of the new control system are a series of all-new Bluetooth decoders, which are available as standard motor control and digital sound decoders. These decoders can be operated on any layout – analogue or digital - through a new app-based controller that can be downloaded free to a smartphone or tablet via the Hornby website and app store. The controller communicates to Bluetooth receivers on each digital decoder.
Decoders will be available in 6-pin, 8-pin, Next18 and 21-pin configurations and are available in non-sound and sound versions – the latter excluding the 6-pin design. The sound decoders will be blank by default, but a bank of downloadable sound files will be available free containing more than 30 steam, diesel and electric locomotive sound projects and can be overwritten multiple times. These also form the basis of Hornby’s new Triplex Sound – TXS – which enables the user to play up to three sound functions on a locomotive or multiple unit simultaneously. Each sound decoder also comes with a cube speaker and sprue of parts to build a choice of speaker enclosures. A selection of steam and diesel locomotive releases are set to include TXS this year.
The decoders are suitable for use with model brands beyond Hornby and across different scales where they will fit. This includes Bachmann, Accurascale, Dapol, Heljan, Oxford Rail, KR Models and more. They can be used with 'OO' gauge locomotives as well as Hornby's new 'TT:120' scale products. In some cases they can also be used with selected 'O' gauge locomotives such as the Dapol Class 08 or 'Terrier' where a single 21-pin decoder socket is provided for decoder installation.
The decoders also feature a shunting and creep mode, as well as manual and automatic braking. All programming can be carried out directly from the app and each decoder also features sockets for plugging in the speaker and a power bank (available separately), which offers up to nine seconds of power should continuity be interrupted.
The system has been developed with simplicity in mind so programming is easy to follow without the need to recall CVs, functions are shown on screen and – importantly – Bluetooth decoder fitted locomotives are compatible with DCC systems.
HM7000 is upgradeable and will work with existing control systems. As long as power is supplied to the rails – either via an analogue or digital supply – locomotives can be operated. It will work with any analogue controller – simply turn the power controller up to apply power to the rails and then control locomotives directly through the Bluetooth system, though sound functions will not be available via analogue power supplies.
It will also work with existing DCC control systems in the same manner and can work in conjunction with the DCC system, either separately (Bluetooth and DCC control on same track) or through a plug-in Legacy dongle via the RJ12 socket on compatible systems such as the Hornby Elite, Roco Z21 or similar, enabling the Bluetooth app to control a DCC layout remotely. For those without an existing power control system, a power supply and adaptor will be available.
Current steam locomotive sound profiles available include the LNER 'A1'/'A3' 4-6-2 (including Flying Scotsman), Gresley 'P2' 2-8-2, LNER 'B12' 4-6-0, Gresley 'A4' 4-6-2, LMS 'Princess Coronation' 4-6-2, Fowler '2P' 4-4-0, Fowler '4F' 0-6-0, Stanier 'Black Five' 4-6-0, BR 'Britannia' 4-6-2, BR '9F' 2-10-0, Bulleid 'Merchant Navy' 4-6-2 and Maunsell 'S15' 4-6-0.
Current diesel locomotive sound profiles available include the Class 43 HST with either Valenta or MTU engine profiles, Class 08 shunter, Class 31 A1A-A1A, Class 50 Co-Co, Class 56 Co-Co, and Class 66 Co-Co.
Prices range from £31.99 to £39.99 for standard decoders and £61.99 to £69.99 for TXS sound decoders.