Hornby Class 43 HST 'Valenta' power cars with TTS sound

[@stephenchecksfield632]

Pretty good authentic sound to the paxman Valenta power unit

[@russellbenton2987]

Good sounds. I used to watch them go through Berwick upon Tweed from 1979. They were the height of modernity then . Great trains

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Russel. The HSTs are probably my favorite passenger trains, and have a lot of good memories watching and riding them. Iain

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

That engine sound is instantly recognisable! I don't know much about actual trains (my origins are more train sets than railways) but I do know that sound! Also you could hear the weight of the loco in the first shot of it leaving the station. It sounded so heavy and stable! Station is coming along nicely too.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Cheers! Yes, to me, the sound is recognizeable. It's not perfect, but it's also a model and using the TTS sound chip and speaker. It's definitely a very solid model, much more stable and smooth the older Lima HSTs I think we both have a bunch of! That's why I'm almost tempted to get a second one (until the wife sees the credit card!). Iain

[@brianfearn4246]

Fabulous, I run the same HST in virgin livery with the older hornby mk 3s even though they have buffers but they still look the part. It runs on AC at the moment until I install a decoder..

[@markjaques5921]

The US Hornby site is currently showing October for pre order shipping! so you have made the right call, however I'm on the road so hopefully when I get back it should be shipped and hopefully the coaches catch up.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Mark. Hopefully the US site catches up soon, and you enjoy them when they do ship! I'm pleased with them. Safe travels. Iain

[@nigelcarter9503]

It is not a bad sound, for TTS and Hornby are making great progress with it. Sounds better on the no-powered car! Maybe me. I like it. I like DMU's. Class 108 etc.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Nigel. I do like the DMUs, but I've always been more attached to the HSTs. I did wonder if there was a difference in sounds between the power and non-power car. They're identical, but more so in terms of if the non-power car has a little more space inside the body for the sound to resonate. Haven't taken them apart, but I'd imagine so. I didn't get to advanced consisting whereby the non-power car can play engine sounds itself, but may try that and report back. Iain

[@nationwidecoinhunt1176]

Hi mate new to model railways excited to watch more and learn

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Hope you've been finding some good stuff and are having fun with building up your own model railway! Iain

[@paulrooke3590]

Nice review. I received mine a couple of days ago and it was very jerky at slow speeds even after running in. Lots of Google research has solved the problem. If yours is still jerky have a go at the following: Check CV 150 is set to 0, change CV 151 to 255 and CV 152 to 1. I also changed CV 3 & 4 to 72 for realism. It is not a smooth as a high end decoder but a significant improvement. I have also changed the speakers. I went for Zimo 40x20x9 single dumbo speaker. Not the cheapest but what a difference plus they fit inside the existing speaker housing after shaving off the internal bits and pieces. Hope that helps

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Paul. Glad you're enjoying the new loco once you have those CVs changed. My initial problem was one of the wheels not being on the rail properly :) That's why I cut that little video clip out. It's ran super smooth since then, though I do need to go in and change the acceleration values. I understand the response need for the sound, but it seems like there's a long delay before it ramps up the speed, and then those lower speed steps some wrong. Overall a great model and decent performance from the TTS chip. Iain

[@paulrooke3590]

Forgot to mention this: Instructions. recommend running the unit in consist. I have a NCE Power Cab which has two options: Old or Advanced consist. The Hornby decoder is clearly not that advanced and will only work on 'old' consist. This brings in down to 28 speed steps as opposed to 128. Having said that, it actually runs quite well

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Did you have a problem with the Power Cab using the sound functions like the horn when the train was running with the engine sound running? When I tried that from the Power Cab itself, the loco would then slow to a stop. The horn would play, and the engine sound would keep playing, but the loco would stop. If I used Engine Driver or WiThrottle through JMRI, it wouldn't, so I don't think it's a problem with the decoder, more how the Power Cab sends the function signals?

[@paulrooke3590]

No I haven't had an issue using my Power Cab either with both the front and rear end using the same default 3 address or running both ends separately as a consist. Perhaps a reset of both decoders to confirm whether it is your Power Cab

[@chicagofleet7427]

Nice they sound pretty good, I do like the TTS chips for their price and i will be getting a pair of chips for my other HST set (other one has Biffo Sound), i have 7 Bachmann Class 37's with TTS chips in them and they all sound a little different, i have changed the speakers though and i will on the HST Chips when i get them but itll have to be next month, the postie has arrived with a 66 and a 47 plus Snowplough and Flask Wagon i best go hide them before Her Highness see's them :) Cheers Ian

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Ian. That's a lot of sound-equipped locos, I'm a little jealous! The sound does add some interest, I do like it. And for the price point of the TTS chips, it's enough for my demands right now. Hope you like the new Class 66 + 47, and the new HST chips when you get them. Iain

[@leilacentral1883]

These sound amazing. While out of the period that I’m modelling, these are some models that may get bought. Great review and love the layout progress.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, I think it sounds nice. Even the detail sounds in the cab, while not really useful, I think are still good quality. Certainly acceptable enough for what, let's be honest, is a model :) Iain

[@leilacentral1883]

@@NewcastleCentralOOGauge I have a soft spot for HST models and the sounds feed that soft spot. Totally agree on your comments regarding the cab sounds. That guards whistle sound brilliant. Hornby have done a good job with this one.

[@LaytonJunction]

great video i do like the class 40 h s t do not have one my self but will be considering one now thanks for that 👍😊

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks for watching. I think it would make a good addition to the layout. Iain

[@oceancity1042]

Smart looking loco, mine arrived yesterday. Layout looking good. Regards Robert

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Robert. How do you like the loco, do you think it sounds and runs okay? Iain

[@stmichaelshill7421]

Looks really good - the Valenta engine sound is good even over KZbin! I think with an iPhone speaker inside it would be great. Thanks for the review.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks! Yeah, I think the Valenta sound is there, some will disagree. It's not perfect, but yes, with an upgraded speaker I think that might help. For now, I'm happy with it. It's definitely an improvement over all the older Lima HSTs I have! Iain

[@roadsandrails]

you can fit a megabass speaker into the class 43 without any modification, that would be the best option I think roads-and-rails.co.uk/store/p74/Square_Megabass_Speaker.html

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks for the tip. I saw Strathpeffer just did a video on replacing the speakers, so this is likely I'll end up doing soon. Iain

[@davidstrains4910]

Want to get this one one day

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

It's a nice loco. Little concerned on the state of the new Mk. 3 coaches that would go with it though. Iain

[@paulhester1675]

looks very well! the sound makes it! im getting some mk3 intercity's in original intercity livery, should arrive in a few days hoping to do something similar

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Enjoy! It's a great loco, I really like the sound. I didn't end up doing a speaker replacement - for me, it's good enough right now. Enjoy the new coaches. Thanks for watching. Iain

[@paulhester1675]

Great! I have a mk3 TS and dummy car from an old set in swallow livery so I might do a second hst set. Not sure as I already have loads of sets in the works . Got myself an Irish rail no. 210 loco and looking to get Irish MK3 coaches. Have my class 86 and intercity mk2f's and I have my Eurostar e320 and lastly I've an Irish no 071 loco and a BR class 90 for freight

[@StrathpefferJunction]

It's great to see one of these finally out and running! I'm wondering if that silver paint by the rear door is actually the door slide rail? The sound isn't too bad. As you say, not up to Bif, but not bad and not that far off Olivia's valenta project (and it has a better horn than the washed out Olivia’s one).

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks. Definitely agree it's not one of the top of the line sound decoders, but it's also not billed as one. It's a step up from the older Lima's I have anyway! On the paint, I'm not sure, as it's only present on one of the doors, and it's more just a spot then what would be a slide rail. It's not noticeable unless you're being really critical, so I can't really ding the manufacturing too much on it. Iain

[@StrathpefferJunction]

@@NewcastleCentralOOGauge Yeah, with those guard's doors being sliding doors, rather than hinged, I was wondering if they silver is perhaps related to the rails the doors slide open on. I think my swallow hst has something similar, but hard to tell from the video. May be that mine has a smudge of paint too though! Lol. I do think the sound is pretty good for the price. It's definitely got that valenta whistle, which is great.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Looked again, but I think it's just a little paint smudge :) Again, not a big deal, so can let it slide. I've been happy running it the last couple of days. Iain

[@erikmorrison8714]

Mine have the silver line on both powercars

[@onnomulder9775]

Great set!! Nice sound. Regards Onno.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Onno! I like them, quite happy with the sound and performance. Iain

[@TheOneUK1111]

How have you programmed each unit? Both together or separately? Same numbers, different numbers etc??

[@Caz_Rail]

Great review

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks! I'm happy with the new HST. Iain

[@ukdieselandelectricrailway1890]

Looks good.... I can't wait to get the couple of packs I'll need to finish off my HST reqyuirements, though I shall be fitting some better speakers. Incidentally, 48078 never carried the 'Shildon County of Durham' nameplates in this levivery... they were removed when it received InterCity Swallow during 1990. However, it did carry the name in Old InterCity until 1990... so if you can get a pack of the InterCity old powercars and swap the bodies, you'll be fine. I have a similar problem. I want an InterCity old powercar with Serck roof grills, which means I either need the original Swallow set, or the original Virgin ones. Fortunately, I have a colleague who is willing to swap the Virgin bodies with me, but I'll need to repaint them (no problem for me!).

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks for watching! I think this is a nice loco and sound for the price. I have thought about getting another one and respraying it in a different livery. It's disappointing Hornby have released the recent HSTs in such limited runs, as I'd really like an Executive livery. I have the older Hornby/Lima HSTs in the four different liveries, but they're not a patch on the quality of these locos. I'm just not experienced enough to try taking on a re-paint!

[@ukdieselandelectricrailway1890]

I know what you mean. I model the late 80's/early 90's, and I have two HST sets so far (1x 2+7-car IC Cross Country set, 1x 2+8-car ECML set), but I want to double them up to have two for EMCL duties, and two for NE/SW cross country workings. I'm fortunate to be a verteran modeller who can paint, renumber and perform detailing to a high standard, so buying something with the right body shell but needing to renumber it, isn't a problem! You may wish to take a look at my channel to see some of my modelling work! :^)

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Looks like you do have quite a steady hand with additional detailing and renumbering. Subscribed to follow along with an updates you have. I'm holding out to try and snag one of the actual Hornby HST Executive paint liveries, so hopefully I can pick one up at some point. All the best with your future projects! Iain

[@danielbrooks3452]

Do these Hornby HST decoders need to be addressed individually or the same address?

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

I have mine individually assigned, then create a consist. This way the correct directional lights are applied.

[@cavman543]

Hi. mine doesn't work with my analogue controller. it only makes a low buzzing sound. I don't yet have a DCC controller to try it. do you think it is faulty. many thanks.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Sorry you're having problems. I'm pretty sure that the TTS sound decoders don't actually support sound operations when on DC control. It's not unique to this particular Valenta model. They'll respond correctly to movement controls, but there's nothing to control the audio. The low buzz may more likely be the decoder and motor itself rather than the actual sound files through the speaker. If it's a new loco, I doubt it would have a problem out of the box, but it's possible. Is there a local club where you could try it on a DCC system? A local model shop may be able to test, but little awkward if you didn't purchase it there. It's a great model, so hopefully if you upgrade to DCC in the future (I'd definitely recommend it!), you'd be all set. All the best. Iain

[@cavman543]

Hi. Thank you very much for your reply. I think you are right. I need to take the plunge and get a DCC controller.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Good luck! Personally, I use the NCE PowerCab. One of our club layouts use Digitrax. I can recommend both. I haven't used Hornby Railmaster, but heard good things about it. Don't need to go overboard, most systems let you add boosters and stuff later. Iain

[@DENPTrains]

The only flaw is the overhead warning signs on it which are the wrong ones as the ones on the model weren't introduced until the early 2000s, they should be the older ones but still gonna get it EVEN IF my layout is based in August 2015 (When East Coast coaches/locos were disappearing and Virgin livery was becoming increasingly dominant)

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Yes, I did wonder if the signs were prototypical of the earlier years. I'm not sure if Hornby were going for more of a restored edition of an earlier year model so included them. Either way, it adds a little extra detail, as I'm not sure if there would be much else otherwise. I noticed on Barnabas Junction with the newer Bachmann Class 47 in police livery a similar warning sign which may not have actually been present at the time. Iain

[@thebritfarmer]

This set depicts the locos from 1996-2003 so I assume they are correct.

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Thanks, Scott. That would make a little more sense. That's what I thought the literature with the loco indicated, so maybe they figured the signs were okay. Iain

[@grootsan]

Thanks Ian, very nice train and sound ! I have quite a few BR Blue trains myself. I have a sort of similar train from German TRIX however both cars are powered and 5 coaches in between and the whole train is diecast metal. The sound is ESU loksound (I think). They are all electronically coupled with 8 pins. This train was some luxury train in Germany in the sixties and seventies. Cheers, Jan kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5y9f6FonbeVmrM

[@NewcastleCentralOOGauge]

Nice train, Jan! That is a very cool looking loco. Iain

[@grootsan]

Thanks Iain ! It would have been absolutely great if Hornby would have made its HST like that one, all 7 units total metal, close coupled and both cars powered (which is a necessity because of its high weight). However that would have seriously compromised its affordability ........... as you have seen this train is German quality ........ but also with a German price tag ! This HST is still a very nice train ...... and with a nice price tag ! Cheers, Jan