My Hornby Railways R.950 Zero 1 Master Controller and a few Other Items

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Oscar Paisley

Oscar Paisley

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 148
@NedPooleD818
@NedPooleD818 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar, kind of appropriate that your video on Zero One came out on Halloween as it was a bit of a horror show for both Hornby and their customers….even your Class 25 looks like a zombie train in skeletal form! I remember being so excited as a teen to get Zero One when it first came out but was so disappointed with the deterioration in performance of my beloved locos- stuttering everywhere and also randomly jumping forwards when the unit was first switched on! The inertia feature was great however and I fitted a chip to my new APT - great fun trying to stop it perfectly in the Station each time! The biggest problem was fitting chips to non Hornby locos like my Wrenn Class 20 or Lima’s brilliant 33, Deltic and Class 50 - the latter a real favourite at the time. The result was a (Zero) one way trip up to the loft where it has kept company with my ZX81 and collection of Marillion records for the last 35 years!! It was replaced by a trusty H&M Duette which still does the job today:-)) Happy Halloween Oscar 👻🎃😺!
@chr1sda1sey
@chr1sda1sey 3 жыл бұрын
At least the Zero One has light functions and more than 4 addresses unlike Marklin's Delta system where you only have 4 addresses and the lights came on when power was applied to the motor.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Ned great to hear your experienced this controller at the time, sounds like you had a similarly frustrating time with the system like I and many other's did. It had so much promise, but possibly just a bit ahead of its time. Hope you had a great Halloween, thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@luciendsa7961
@luciendsa7961 2 жыл бұрын
Great to see the Zero 1 system working as it should. I headed the team that developed and launched Zero 1 and hope to write the back story of how it all came about and the brilliant people and companies around the world that made it a reality. Many of the early problems were due to the condition of the track/plating, poor pickup and the inefficient motors. It was a shame we did not get the opportunity to complete the Mimic diagram development as of result of Hornby's parent going into receivership!
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 2 жыл бұрын
Hi thank you for watching I find this system fascinating especially having used it as a child. It must've been very exciting time have been involved in the development and the launch of such an innovative system at that time as consumer electronics market was massively expanding, it would been great to know more about its initial development and the plans the company had for it moving forward as well as the companies response to the user/dealer problems encountered and expectations at the time. Take care. Oscar
@CZ350tuner
@CZ350tuner 3 жыл бұрын
I've had the Zero One DCC system since 1979 and still use it today. I've also repaired controllers & loco modules, over the decades, so I can list all the faults. (1) Keypad metallic paint wears away, disabling keypad, always on the green keys. To fix, either touch up the pad contact zones with fresh metallic paint, glue tin foil to the pads or replace with micro switches. (2) Early single transistor loco modules burn out the black wire DC blocking capacitor (the black blob) when used with Triang power bogies. Replace with any 100pF. capacitor. Always use later H&M made twin transistor loco modules with Triang power bogies. (3) Solder failure of wires on the transformer due to poor grade soldering when manufactured. Remake solder joints using lead solder. (4) Solder failure of direction switch wires due to poor grade solder. Resolder wires (5) Solder failure of throttle slider wires due to poor solder. Resolder wires. (6) Fractured wires due to the use of cheap single strand telephone wire. Dropping the controller will break wires. Replace with multi-strand wire. The casing rivets can be pushed out with a hot soldering iron. Replace with nut & bolt fasteners. The microcontroller used is a Texas Instruments TMS4040 4 bit data bus item, more commonly found in washing machines, early automotive fuel injection units & other control applications. It has onboard one shot programable ROM, an ALU and several registers. The TMS4040 was also used in the toy "Big Foot" programmable robot dump truck. The Zero One was very much pushing the technology of the late 1970's, so it was state of the art.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Andy great to hear you still have your Zero 1 in operation. Thanks again for watching and taking the time for supplying this terrific detailed information its very much appreciated. Take care. Oscar
@lauriepocock3066
@lauriepocock3066 3 жыл бұрын
do you live anywhere near Portsmouth?
@CZ350tuner
@CZ350tuner 3 жыл бұрын
@@lauriepocock3066 Poole
@MrSnooze
@MrSnooze 3 жыл бұрын
Hello Andy, I'm doing a bit of research and experimental work on this system too. I can't find any circuit diagrams for the chip, I want to add a home made stay alive system to help over points and diamonds on the Super 4. I can't even locate the part of the circuit where the rectification to DC is . Do you have any information? Thanks for the list of useful topics. Best regards to you
@paulwilson3083
@paulwilson3083 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Oscar, I really enjoyed that as it could have been me, I to bought one in 1979, the sales literature in the catalogue was overwhelming, I had the main controller , 2 slaves, 10 chips and 2 packets of point clips, I didn't bother with the accessories module, I sent away for it to a Hornby discount place in a rail magazine and waited for about 4 months before it arrived( I thought they'd taken my money and ran) I laughed when you mentioned your same opinion of it when you started using it as I felt the same, I packed it away and never used it again, fortunately I managed to sell it all complete with other railway items about 10 years ago. You mentioned how clean the track needed to be which is more important than ever now as I'm in the garden with layout, I have solved my track cleaning problems by buying a CMX track cleaning car, it was an expensive investment but I've never looked back or used a track rubber since, I fill it with a WD40 electrical contact spray which drys onto the rails and leaves a film behind, if a had it in 1979 I might still be using Zero1, thank you again Oscar, I find memories are a big part of your life as you get older.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Paul great to hear your experience with Zero 1, the catalogue and the marketing did all sound very convincing! I've seen those track cleaning cars before they do look rather good, I am quite tempted. Thanks for watching and taking the time to write this great comment. Take care. Oscar
@paulstainsby7082
@paulstainsby7082 7 ай бұрын
Hi Oscar, many thanks for posting this video. I've just rescued my Zero 1 controllers from the loft where they have been stored since purchase in 1982 !!!! I promised myself that I would build a layout when there was enough time to build one. Now retired that time has come haha. I have now built a 10' x 8' set of baseboards 2' wide in a spare bedroom. I'm about to lay the track and was very interested when I spotted your video. You've inspired me to get a move on and complete the job. I have 13 locos bought around the late 70's and into the 80's and 3 have already been fitted with modules. I hope I can achieve the same standard that you have. Thanks once again.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 6 ай бұрын
Hi Paul, great to hear you're gonna have a go with the Zero 1. I had this system as a child back when it came out, just before I lost interest in model railways as a teenager, didn't get on at all well with this at the time I didn't have the patience or the understanding, second time around I had a great deal of fun, it definitely does have its limitations and seems sad It wasn't developed further as a product, but looked at as a product of its time and and not compared to today's DCC systems and used with items that would've been available when the system came out you can really see what they were trying to do, years ahead of its time, The end user wasn't ready for it, retro fitting into existing layouts with steel track and the many older locomotives that were in use at the time wasn't really what it was for. Best results I had were from the items with the Ringfield motors of the late 70s and early 80s, further improvements would be made by using nickel track, all my track was steel track which needs quite a bit more up keep for a clean digital signal, something I really didn't understand as a child. It would be great to hear how you get on with it. All then best. Oscar
@adriancartlidge4018
@adriancartlidge4018 3 жыл бұрын
Great video Oscar. My Cousin used the Zero one and slave unit on his layout many year's ago, it was fun to watch it running when i went to visit him with my Mum. Plus he worked for BR and the other companies that took over after BR. I run a Gauge Master DCC controller on my layout. Take care.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Adrian great to hear you've got to see the system running first hand. It's definitely very impressive when it all does what it supposed to do. Thanks for watching take care . Oscar
@Madonsteamrailways
@Madonsteamrailways 3 жыл бұрын
It most certainly was a bit of fun!! An exceptional piece of kit for the model railway of the eighties!! Zero 1 is the early form of digital command and control!!
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning yes it was a great piece of equipment at the time, very forward thinking by Hornby perhaps a little too early to market but definitely a forerunner to what is currently referred to as DCC Thanks again for watching and taking the time to comment. Take care. Oscar
@martinpattison1567
@martinpattison1567 3 жыл бұрын
I have never seen a Zero One setup used before. That was very interesting. Thank you, Oscar. Martin. (Thailand)
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Martin glad you enjoyed seeing Zero 1 in action it's an interesting system. Thanks again take care. Oscar
@keithshayle123
@keithshayle123 3 жыл бұрын
This brings back memories for me in the early 80s. I was one of the few that had the HM5000, which was a glorified version of Zero 1. I also used the accessory modules, and was able to switch two points from the same output without issue - at least from memory! Finally I even invested in the Hornby micromimic system which showed on a display board the position of the points. You would map your layout out on however many boards you needed, and then at point locations you would fit a twin LED mount. Hornby had plans as I understood it, to extend this system with a 'light pen', which would allow for point selection purely by putting the pen over the relevant LED. All very advanced stuff for the early/mid eighties, but that feature never saw the light of day as by then Hornby were pulling the plug on the whole Zero1 system. I too around 1987/88 gave up too, one of the issues being the susceptibility of the whole principal of the system to dirty track locos etc. The data packet that would be sent down the rails to the modules relyed on everything being clean and the locos being in perfect working order. Whilst I did overcome those issues, the one thing that I couldn't get round was speed control. Both the Zero1 and HM5000 used a sixteen step slider to control the locos. This lead to two problems, firstly coming from a Gaugemaster electronic controller with an ultra smooth potentiometer, I was always struggling to get the same from the 5000, the second more serious issue which really forced the change was a design floor in the H&M unit. As the slider was vertical the action of moving it back and forth eventually caused damage to the sixteen contacts it needed, therefore speed control gradually deteriorated. I had the sliders replaced once or twice but the problem kept on coming back. I switched back to Gaugemaster and conventional 12volt control. Interestingly during the switch back I invested in a newer Gaugemaster unit which controlledtwo tracks, and like my original offered a 'simulator with coast delayed acceleration and separate brake- All very clever with the use of capacitors.However the newer model never gave the same degree of control as my original. I can only presume cost cutting on components! In any case as I said at the start of this l-o-n-g post this all brings back plenty of memories, and it seems only in recent years with DCC could they get the reliability, however both Hornby, H&M, and Airfix with their different principle MTC were way ahead of their time! Oh and by the way powering catenary is not an issue, I did so myself.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Keith great to hear about your experiences with the HM 5000 and elements from Hornby's Zero 1 system. The light pen sounds like an amazing idea shame it never made it to market. Thanks for watching and the tip about the catenary I may give it a go myself. Take care. Oscar
@gs425
@gs425 3 жыл бұрын
I was very excited when I ordered my zero one from Railmail back in 1980. It was on back order for months and months because the first batches sold out very quickly. It was a brave design by Hornby to bring out an early DCC system so long ago. I never had any problems except that it added to the cost of every new loco. I have to say considering it was designed over 40 years ago the units look the business compared to the hotch potch of modern dcc controllers. You are correct when you say they buzz like half wave....if you look at how they are wired in they have a common return. This means they do in fact work on half wave. The boost in track voltage is what enables the motor to still run at top speed even on half wave. A neat design feature and much less wiring than modern dcc. Now...am I the only person who always thought the slave units looked like K-9 's head off of Dr Who? Lol. I do believe one dcc manufacture enabled their controllers to also operate hornby zero one.
@marksinthehouse1968
@marksinthehouse1968 3 жыл бұрын
Agree K9 😂
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning great to hear you were able to use this system to good effect back in the 80s. As you say it was definitely a brave move for Hornby to use this very new technology in a mainstream product, I think possibly they were a few years too early to market with the system. Now I look at the slave unit I see exactly what you mean about K-9. Somone in the comments has mentioned that ZTC/Taunton Controls have developed a system that has some compatibly with Hornby's older Zero 1 system. Thanks again, take care. Oscar
@gs425
@gs425 3 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley morning Oscar. Always a pleasure to hear from you. I have a hand held you are welcome to. If you want it let me know and I'll post it up. Regards Gary
@1BCamden
@1BCamden 2 жыл бұрын
Great work Oscar, I had the same motivation back in the eighties, and like yours it’s been in the boxes ever since, as new nearly, couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it.
@johnd8892
@johnd8892 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for documenting this brave try by Hornby so well. Around the same time lots of companies were making systems with similar aims and methods. Downfall of all of them was the incompatibility of all of them. Other non digital systems from Lionel in the early fifties and General Electric Astrac systems from the mid sixties also had brief periods of being the latest and greatest until production ceased. Safe to say that the success of DCC today is due to the standards developed by the US NMRA for interchangeable components. One of many standards this huge group of focused model railroaders developed to progress the hobby. Gradually being taken up by most manufacturers despite prevalent " not invented here" attitudes.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning John glad you enjoyed this light hearted look at my brush with Hornby's early take on the what has now become known as DCC as you say the Zero 1 system was definitely a brave attempt at exploiting micro processors/electronics developments at the time. Thanks again for watching and great information take care. Oscar
@andywalker6
@andywalker6 3 жыл бұрын
Excellent video - I love the nostalgia, and well done on presenting the Zerp 1 working proof i can be done, it truly was remarkable for its time. I liked the design and idea of controlling points and the mimic panel which came later. Its also great to hear some people have been using it since 1980 and continue to do so.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Andrew glad you enjoyed this lighthearted look over Hornby's early attempt at digital control it was quite a thing to bring to market at the time and as you say terrific to hear people are still using the system. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar
@rogerclark5869
@rogerclark5869 3 жыл бұрын
Hello Oscar. I saw this back in the day, never thought it would work. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Roger
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Roger it was definitely a brave decision by Hornby to invest and develop the range at the time, possibly they brought it to market a little too early and underdeveloped. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@rogerclark5869
@rogerclark5869 3 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley 30 years to early. Airfix made a system like it, but I don’t know if it came out. Cheers Roger
@StormmyStormmy
@StormmyStormmy 2 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar, it's good to see the Zero 1 in operation, i have a couple of master control units, a few slave's including a hand held unit, also phase 2 and 3 equipment with many loco modules and a couple of accessory modules. I'm just returning to this amazing hobby again after many years away, i will be going down the dcc route so my Zero 1 collection which is in very good condition will be up for sale.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 2 жыл бұрын
Hi thank you for watching great to hear you got to use the Zero 1 in the past. I think contemporary DCC will be a lot of fun coming back to the hobby. Take care Oscar
@robertgates7686
@robertgates7686 3 жыл бұрын
As you demonstrated the real advantage of Zero 1 was the ability to run more than one train on the same piece of track without any form of track sectioning. Lots of childish fun still had today with DCC. Locos of the time usually had a separate instruction leaflet in the box detailing the installation of the Zero 1 module. Presumably the control system operated at a much lower frequency than present day DCC, hence the motor heating and noisy motors at low speeds. Never had Zero 1 and this is the first time I have seen it demonstrated. You may have started a Zero 1 revival ! Very much enjoyed the video.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Robert glad you enjoyed seeing this demonstration of Hornby's early digital system. I don't fully understand it's electronics, someone else's said in the comments that it operates more like the halfway function on a traditional DC controller but with more voltage available to gain higher speed that is not normal achievable on the traditional half wave setting. It was definitely a big selling point at the time been able to have two locomotives on the one track independently controlled and great fun when it works. Thanks again take care. Oscar
@marcdempsey5850
@marcdempsey5850 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar, well that was a major leap this week. Zero One was the business back in the 80s. A major step forward for the train modelling world, the forerunner of DCC as we know it now. I remember seeing and talking about it but truely never saw it working effectively on a layout. There was so much involved and the modules were so large at that time. Was great to see the controller and slave together and hope the track plan goes well, the next videos will be very interesting to see and hear how it’s going. Wishing you all the best, always great to watch and listen, regards marc
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Marc thanks again for watching glad you enjoyed seeing this vintage piece of control equipment in action. Definitely quite advanced for its time this system from Hornby, possibly introduced to the market too soon? its all good fun. Take care. Oscar
@iant5645
@iant5645 3 жыл бұрын
I always found mounting chips in a wagon with silver seal wheels and adding power pickups to those wheels worked wonders on small locomotives . The old triang / hornby track cleaning wagon with meths on the pad used to help greatly at cleaning the track great to see zero 1 again
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Ian thanks for watching and the terrific information. Take care. Oscar
@roystudds1944
@roystudds1944 3 жыл бұрын
Really interesting to see Zero 1. Never had those controls but a very interesting concept. I suppose the forerunner of DCC in a way. Look forward to seeing your next update. Thanks for sharing Oscar.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi, thanks Roy, glad you enjoyed that. I think you're right it was definitely part of the very early commercial beginnings of the DCC available today. Take care. Oscar
@MrSnooze
@MrSnooze 3 жыл бұрын
Hello Oscar, what a great look at this system. I think even if you were disappointed as a youngster now that you have built up your model railway knowledge this is something to revisit and improve. Very informative and entertaining, really liked this. Best regards to you
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Mr Snooze, I've definitely had more fun with it in the week I made the video then the entire time using it as a teenager. Glad you enjoyed the video thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@Haymarket47
@Haymarket47 3 жыл бұрын
I had the Zero 1 and slaves too. Was forever at the local hobby shop getting the Flying Scotsman repaired. Loved the inertia though.
@DubloAirfix65
@DubloAirfix65 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar, very interesting to see a full review of the Zero One especially with your experience of having one back in the day. Great to see the photos of your earlier layout. I find I can make things work so much better now than back then, probably having more patience, experience and finesse than the teenage version of myself. I find that it's cathartic and pleasing to make these things work properly. At the time (late '70s) I had an American book on Model Railroading (David Sutton 1964), the only thing available in the bookshop in Tasmania, it was an excellent book too, and I copied the Cab Control system from the diagrams in the book using hard wiring. I really loved that system as it gave a sense that you were running a proper railway. I'm using a variation of cab control again in my new vintage Hornby layout. Thanks again for your great videos.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Guy glad you enjoyed seeing the pictures of my old layout, sadly I only have the contact sheet, the negatives seem to have vanished over the years. The contact sheet is one I made myself in the school dark room along with processing the film. It's one of the many things that became more important than model railway to me as a teenager. I've found it very rewarding getting the catenary to work on both this layout and the previous one, a definite sense of achievement and very relaxing. It's great to hear you're developing a version of control for your new railway based on a system you used in the past, you're definitely right we tend have more concentration and understanding as time has passed and experience gained. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@AidansRailways
@AidansRailways 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar. I remember having the Zero 1 master controller in the eighties. I was not very good with the whole computer side of things back then and just couldn't get the hang of it. If I remember rightly I ended up using it as a power supply for points and signals and used to top of the casing for the switches. It ended up being an expensive stand for switches and power supply haha. Now looking back it was at the time quite groundbreaking. Thanks for sharing this video.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Adrian great to hear you got to have a go with us back in the 80s. I don't think you're the only one who ended up using it as a power supply and standing the switches on it. As you say looking back now it was quite a development by Hornby, such very new technology. I think that element of it is all too easy to forget considering just how far technology has come especially in the last 10 years. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment it's very much appreciated. Take care. Oscar
@AidansRailways
@AidansRailways 2 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley Hi Oscar. I have recently purchased some items as we all do but in among them one of the items had a Zero1 module which i have removed. If you would like it, it's yours. Should you want it all available contact info is in my about page and video descriptions. Also based in the north east so not a million miles away. I have no use for it so it may as well go to a good home. Cheers
@POUNCEMAN1
@POUNCEMAN1 3 жыл бұрын
Again great video ,,, learned alot,,, thanks again ,,, on my bucket list
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Rob thanks again for watching glad you enjoyed the video. Take care. Oscar
@gord307
@gord307 3 жыл бұрын
I think it was a very bold move by Hornby to introduce the Zero 1 system as far back as 79/80, and, so far as I can see, the modern DCC systems follow its principals very closely, and 40-years on, it is all still working! I have to be honest, though (and I say this as a child from the 70s when things like this were new), Hornby managed to make it look cheaply made, bulky and quite unappealing... The system must have been great news for kids, though, as having more than one train on a line operating completely independently from one another adds a huge amount of excitement! Thank you for the review - it's great to see what Zero 1 can actually do. Gord :-)
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi thanks for watching glad you enjoyed a look at this very old version of DCC it was a very exciting as I remember it seeing it in the magazines, on TV and the model railway shop. It held great promise as a teenager the thought of being able to run two locomotives or more! The marketing made it all sound all simple and straight forward. As you say it was a very bold attempt by Hornby to use this emerging technology at the time and in retrospect it was probably five or so years too early to market and the little underdeveloped. But with all that in mind it's quite good fun now, especially as I'm not treating it as an upgrade or a replacement just an experiment. Take care. Oscar
@antmerritt
@antmerritt 3 жыл бұрын
This is ace! I was very bemused by zero 1 as a kid. Seemed a dark art! 🤣👍👊😎
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi, thanks, glad you enjoyed that. Take care. Oscar
@marksinthehouse1968
@marksinthehouse1968 3 жыл бұрын
It’s great after 40 years it’s still working ,Texas instruments I think made it for hornby sametime airfix had their system ,I remember seeing the zero 1 at the Easter show in Westminster 1981 on the hornby stand and thought great but the cost I was still at school it was ahead of it’s time ,looking forward to what the layout is going to be and it’s great to have a play maybe you could include a separate section for Zero1 ,great video all the best Oscar ,Mark 😊👍🏻
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Mark glad you enjoyed this look at the Zero 1 it definitely had so much promised at the time but probably a little too early to market and undeveloped. I’m amazed it will still works, I have to say it’s working better than it did when I was a teenager! I’m very much looking forward to having a little more fun with it in the coming months. Thanks again take care. Oscar
@DJ_K666
@DJ_K666 2 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar. It's great fun to compare the Zero 1 system with today's DCC systems and their ugly in chips. I remember seeing the Zero1 in the Hornby catalogues and track plans books when I was a kid and wondering about it but I stuck with good old analogue until recently. I do think it was before its time but I'd definitely be likely to use ig of I had a more vintage layout. That's thd other thing I like about yours is its got that nostalgic appeal and if I'd seen it as a kid I'd have been blown away by it. Really I think the hobby has definitely benefitted greatly from DCC, 3D printing and Ebay. Remember when you had to write off for things from smaller suppliers and get adverts from Railway Modeller then send off an SAE with a cheque or postal order to get the catalogue and price list?
@jeffbranch8072
@jeffbranch8072 3 жыл бұрын
I remember when Zero 1 was advertised in 'Model Railroader' magazine in the US. This was the first commercially available DCC (or similar) system I remember. I was studying electrical engineering and was keenly interested to see how this worked. Never got to though, in fact this video is the first I've seen one operating. LOL!
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Jeff it was definitely a bold decision by Hornby Railways to develop the system, it must've been a very exciting time for those involved in its development and bringing it to market. However I'm not sure the market especially here in the UK was ready for such a bold step at that point. It could have been far more successful coming along maybe five years later benefiting from a little more development and the vast majority of potential users by then would have been using the far superior nickel track and the range of models in use by consumers would have moved forward and away from the old style motors which were very much a feature of average model railway in the late 70s. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar
@WorksOnMyComputer
@WorksOnMyComputer 3 жыл бұрын
Hornby were ahead of their time, with all the pluses and minuses that brings with it. One thing I think Hornby nailed better then many do now is the aesthetic of those controllers. A nice LCD screen mounted in those and they would look great today on any DCC layout.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Daniel thanks for watching I think you're spot on an LCD screen would look terrific as part of the design of these unit. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar
@PolishThatHandle346
@PolishThatHandle346 9 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing this video. Personally I've never really been taken by DCC and have always held the view that it's another obstacle in front of the motor but my bedroom layout was wired and ran off Zero 1 by using the chips to control power to sections as opposed to wiring them into locos. It's a very quick way of sectioning a layout with no modifications to conventional DC locos. I used to love the control and it's buttons! You could do that too if you just wanted something quick to play with whilst dismantling the layout? All you'd do is wire chips into where you've got controllers with the chip then responsible for feed on that section.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 8 ай бұрын
Hi, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I'm fascinated with what you've described above. The layout with the Zero 1 was dismantled sometime ago, if I had read this before dismantling, I would have given this a try. I do have all zero one equipment used on the layout safely stored away. I will be keeping this in mind for future experiment. Oscar
@andrewsea4252
@andrewsea4252 3 жыл бұрын
Ztc-controls continued the system. Their master controller can do dcc, Zero 1 or DC. Also they made some decoders which can be used on all these systems. Very nice video again. Greetings from Holland.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Andrew thanks again for watching and information. I've just been reading about Ztc/Taunton controls, sounds like some very interesting control equipment they have developed. Thank you again for watching and the information. Take care. Oscar
@CZ350tuner
@CZ350tuner 3 жыл бұрын
Loco motors used to also run hotter on pulse width modulated DC controllers. Zero One modules also use PWM.
@Jimyjames73
@Jimyjames73 3 жыл бұрын
Hey Oscar - thank you for sharing - b/c I have seen many times adverts in old Mags for them BUT not seen them in 'Action' as so to speak & I've always wonder how they performed - I thank you!!! (without their shells, they look like 'ghost Trains') 🙂🚂🚂🚂
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi glad you enjoyed seeing this older system of digital control from Hornby in use . Thanks again take care. Oscar
@gordontaylor1483
@gordontaylor1483 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar, Interesting to see your trip back to the Zero 1, obviously a nostalgic experience for you, huge shadows casting forwards to the DCC we have today and I suppose Hornby might have been a wee bit ahead of themselves given some of the issues commented on but nevertheless very brave of them. I have the '79, '81 and '82 catalogues which take you through phases 1,2, and 3. I can imagine the excitement generated when the full potential was realised. You mentioned dismantling the layout, that sounds equally exciting. Correct me if I am wrong but I think your Super 4 layout had a longer life, nothing wrong with change. I am looking at building a Super 4 layout but noticing some issues with Hornby Dublo and newer models on the points. If it is a wheel flange issue I might have to build in two different types of track. Thanks again, Gordon
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Gordon it was a very brave move back then by Hornby to introduce that new system and definitely the beginning of what is now referred to as DCC. I think the Super 4 layout as it was when I dismantled it was just about two years old. It had started out of System 6 nickel track and then changed over to System 6 steel track and then fully to Super 4. I think the Hornby Dublo models are reasonably happy on Super 4 but may be happier on the System 6 which may be closer to Hornby Dublo's original to 2 rail track. It will be quite interesting to have it out with two different track systems. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@gordontaylor1483
@gordontaylor1483 3 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley Hi Oscar, Many thanks for your views on the various track systems, very much appreciated. Gordon
@RobA500
@RobA500 3 жыл бұрын
That was an interesting look at Hornby's attempt at early DCC. My father did pick up a second hand master controller back in the 80's with a couple of chips but it was never put in to use. I don't know what happened to the chips but I still have the controller that was powered up early this year to act as an accessory power source until I got a better one. Of course I now have a modern DCC system so It'll never be put in to use especially as it can only have 16 locomotive addresses against 9999 and many other flaws.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Rob, great you have a Master Controller in your collection. I think this early attempt by Hornby definitely paved the way for the more sophisticated and stable systems that have been developed since. It has some very interesting thinking behind it with the three phases of the system that were released. Thanks again take care. Oscar
@stick90
@stick90 5 ай бұрын
Great video of zero 1 just brought one got a slave controller and four modules would it run on n gauge you think.
@simonturner5450
@simonturner5450 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Oscar another very interesting video on a fascinating bit of technological history. You spoke about inertia which reminded me of the ideas put up by the late Bob Symes-Schutzmann of the “free motor”. This was a separate, unconnected electric motor wired in series with the main driving loco motor which when you operated the controller took power first, span up and then the driving motor got its power slowly and in a more “lifelike way”. Well that was the theory but it never really lived up to the expectations although for diesel models it did make a slightly more realistic growling sound. Now all done perfectly by DCC of course. //Simon
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Simon glad you found the video interesting. I think I've had more fun with this making the video than when I had the Zero 1 on the layout as teenager. Thanks for the information about the "free motor" sounds very interesting and it's very much appreciated. There was a Tri-ang Single ended Diesel R.55 with a red cab that was released for a short time in the early 60s with a X04 motor mounted installed in it well as the motor bogie and was marketed as having diesel sound. The extra motor had no connection to the drive wheels and was just present to create the diesel sound affect. I'm not sure if it had any effect on the running of the drive motor in terms of generating a more realistic motion. Take care. Oscar
@simonturner5450
@simonturner5450 3 жыл бұрын
Oscar that is interesting and took me right back to borrowing one of my Mum’s pegs and clipping a piece of card to the rear stay of my push bike to make a “motorcycle noise” as I pedalled along. Fond memories, thanks for bringing them back to me.
@CZ350tuner
@CZ350tuner 3 жыл бұрын
All of the locos that the Zero One installation manual recommend putting the loco module into a permanently attached wagon is wrong. I've installed loco modules into all the Triang 0-4-0 & 0-6-0 locos and even a Dapol Pug. Kit built locos take some effort but it can be done. Hornby "Pocket Rocket" Scalextric motor powered locos require an 8 Ohm 0.5 Watt rated wire wound resistor in series with the motor power feed wire, to make them more controllable. This mod also works on DC controlled layouts.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Andy thanks again fo sharing the great information. Take care. Oscar
@AyebeeMk2
@AyebeeMk2 3 жыл бұрын
All this was after my first railway in the 70's so it is interesting to note that like 'digital photography' the technology is not quite as new as we like to (or are lead to) believe. Also I thought at first this was a Halloween special! engines with no body work: surely not Zombie steam trains....
@rogerking7258
@rogerking7258 3 жыл бұрын
One of your most fascinating episodes Oscar, on several levels. I had no idea that Zero 1 dated back to the seventies and it must have represented a massive R&D and financial investment for Hornby. Perhaps it's a classic example of the pioneers failing only for others to come along, sort out the problems, and then reap the rewards they perhaps don't deserve. One interesting point I noticed; at 1:19 the loco stuttered over the crossing as it might have done on DC, but carried on afterwards. If this was a modern DCC layout even the tiniest interruption to the current would have seen the loco stop, wait a couple of seconds for the decoder to reboot, and then start running again, although you can of course completely eliminate this with extra pickups or a stay alive capacitor (or both). I know less than nothing about the workings of Zero 1 but I'm intrigued as to how Zero 1 allowed the loco to keep running, albeit with hiccoughs. Everything I run is DCC controlled; I even have a 63 year old black saddle tank loco (I know you have one too, because I bought mine after seeing it) that has been converted and is actually one of my smoothest performers!
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Roger glad you enjoyed seeing this old Hornby equipment in action. I think they probably brought it to market a little too early and slightly underdeveloped but you're right others have gone on to improve this type of control. As a child I'm not sure I understood quite how cutting-edge it was at the time. Even today I don't fully understand its use of electronics but I think I now understand enough to have a bit more fun than I did when I was a teenager with the system. Its terrific you have the saddle tank running on contemporary DCC some of these very old models really are smooth runners even when compare to items from the early 70s there is something about the way they sit on the track and perhaps manufacturing of the components was that bit better in the early days. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@williamscates3915
@williamscates3915 3 жыл бұрын
Aanother lovely video oscar. Never heard one good review of the zero one, they must've been more fun in the wrapping. The talk of ringfields got me wondering have you got the class 91 IC225 set? With working catenary that would be a fantastic video Hope you're well regards Will
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning William, yes the zero one is an interesting system! I do have an early class 91 with working pantograph but I don't have the complete IC225 set, maybe one day! Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@mytinplaterailway
@mytinplaterailway 3 жыл бұрын
A year or two ago Hornby introduced a sort of weird 'gothic' range under the old Basset Lowke name. 'Steam Punk' I believe is the description. They are horrible! However if Hornby had simply removed the bodies of various steam and diesel loco's - as you have done here - I think they would have been onto a winner. They look fascinating.
@kevinblakeman8858
@kevinblakeman8858 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar nice to see you doing a video of the hornby zero 1 system working, i have wondered if the old triang motor bogies could be fitted with decoders and now see that you have converted one, was this motor bogie more complicated to convert then the class 25,
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Kevin glad you enjoyed the video it was a lot fun playing with this control system again. I'm hoping to have a little more fun in the coming months. It seems quite straightforward to fit the module to the old Tri-ang Hornby motor bogie in the Diesel locomotive. I've included a link to the fitting instructions page 16 diagram 47 covers the fitting to the the class 31 and similar. Hope this of some help. Andy Reid has given some great advice about which moduel to use for these motor bogies in his comments, it worth having a read I was unaware that one one model was better suited than the other until reading this. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar www.lendonsmodelshop.co.uk/pdf/Hornby%20Zero%201%20Instruction%20Sheets/Zero%201%20Loco%20Module%20Fitting%20Instructions.pdf
@matthewc.419
@matthewc.419 2 жыл бұрын
I longed for this control unit as a child , well out of price reach !!!
@lauriepocock3066
@lauriepocock3066 3 жыл бұрын
For years my CV under interest said ' love cars and planes, hates trains' but now Im retired and having a couple of grandsons and watching a couple of KZbin videos I brought a old GWR 0-6-0 pannier (£14) and not wanting to spend much money I brought a Zero1 controller (£13) but it didnt work. Pulled it to bits cleaned up the keypad and added some new conductive paint and it worked after a fasion then it stopped making a buzzing noise. By now Im determined to make Zero1 work so brought a second controller (£10). It had a broken slider so I have brought the hand held controller. I appears brand new, the box had sealing tape and there is not a mark on the body of the controller but I have the not had the courage to set it up yet. Got distracted by DCC++ex.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Laurie sounds like you're had some fun with the Zero 1, I've been tempted to get one of those handheld controllers myself and getting distracted by contemporary DCC very interesting. I have to say the new H&M controller from Hornby sound very interesting it combines elements of digital control with DC. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar
@lauriepocock3066
@lauriepocock3066 3 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley thank you Oskar . I made Zero1 work much easier than DCC++. For some reason not al the Hornby decoders and that has complicated things but it fun
@trainsontuesday
@trainsontuesday 3 жыл бұрын
Hello Oscar, you gave an excellent demonstration of Zero 1. I have never actually seen Zero 1 in action before. I think I always viewed it as losing control of your trains rather than gaining control. Without it you can put any loco on the track and run it but with Zero 1 you become a programing slave pushing buttons on the controller. This feeling has not diminished over time, in fact it has grown stronger as DCC takes over the model railway hobby. It has reached the point now whereby the trains are an incidental thing at the end of all the electronic gadgetry. It's not for me. Regards, David.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning David, an interesting view you have on DCC and it's one shared by a great many I think that the models are becoming incidental. From what I read the DCC is a huge growth area within the model railways industry as a whole and is responsible for bringing and retaining new people to the hobby. It seems that many who have started with a basic DC set in the last 25 years aspire to the fully electronic gadgetry and for those having grown up with the smart phone and tablets it may seem like a very logical path into the hobby. It's a fascinating subject to look back on, but as teenager when Zero 1 came along it looked very exciting to me this new style of control. I definitely had more fun with the Zero 1 controller in the week I was making this video than in the whole time I had the controller as a teenager. Although possibly not for the reasons the manufacturer originally intended! I hope today's systems work far better out of the box than this forward looking equipment introduced by Hornby back in the late 70s early 80s. I'm very much looking forward to having some more fun with it in the months to come but I don't think I'll be switching permanently to digital control any time soon. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar Oscar
@russellbenton2987
@russellbenton2987 3 жыл бұрын
I really fancied Zero 1 . Of course it was plugged heavily in the 79 and particularly 80 catalogues . I remember the rhetoric “ APT brings Hornby up to date with BR , Zero 1 leaves BR standing “ it was probably fortunate you couldn’t get them readily and by the time I’d got to 1981 I think I’d begun to hear some disappointments , particularly that track had to be spotless , and I thought well I’m constantly cleaning my track as it is , I don’t want to do it any more, so gradually the enthusiasm waned . A lucky escape I think ! There was the Airfix/GMR system as well that was not compatible . I remember the argument at the time was very much like VHS and Betamax. Perhaps that fuelled my suspicion of DCC as I never was tempted . I have Gaugemaster controllers as my main controllers with a trusty H&M Clipper and Hornby R910 . They give great control with inertia and I think I’ll stick with that now !
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Russell thanks again for watching and sharing your memories of the introduction of Zero 1. As you say it all looked very exciting at the time and the Airfix Multiple train control system also looked like a stunning bit of equipment. The disappointments associated with trying to use my then new Zero 1 Master Controller defiantly accelerated my loss of interest in model railways at the time. Coming back to it after all these years and having a little more understanding the problems and limitations involved in its use plus knowing that I'm only experimenting with it and not upgrading, I've had some really enjoyable time with it. I'd like to play with it a little more once I've made the decision that I've taken this layout as far as I want to. That way I'll be able to make some changes that will suit Zero 1. Do you remember video 2000? A friend of mine back in school had this it seemed very advanced at the time being able to turn over the tape! compared to our DER rented vhs video recorder at the time with its great big levers on the front to operate it! I don't remember anyone having the laserDisc! Take care. Oscar
@russellbenton2987
@russellbenton2987 3 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley lol I had forgotten about video 2000 until you mentioned it . We were Radio Rentals people ! I remember buying our first VHS recorder back in 1983 I think . Expensive at time but came down in price . Pity model railways didn’t do that !
@mattjones01685
@mattjones01685 2 жыл бұрын
hi every one im doing a layout after putting my trains away in storage for 40 years i last played with them when i was 10/12 years old , as im a child of the 70s i have desided to make my layout a retro one and have now got 4 zero1 masters and 8 slaves and i even tracked down a micro mimic to work the points , am i mad to use this set up as my freinds are trying to convert me to the new dcc which works off your phone lol ,plus how much was this to buy new in the 1980s kind regards matt
@davidcurrie8564
@davidcurrie8564 2 жыл бұрын
Glad to see his Zero 1 still works! mine went for a burton years ago smelled burning after about two months, checked and double checked all the wiring and track could not see why?....mine was on back order as a few folks were too as they went like hot cakes I had twelve locos at the time twelve modules which weren't cheap either two slaves etc ( it sat there for about two weeks before i done something about it, I was pig sick at the time ) wrote to Hornby stating i should send it back to be repaired not a new one i may add!!!.. I took it back to the shop in Glasgow he changed it there and then!!!! so what was Hornbys story!???
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 2 жыл бұрын
Good morning David, doesn't sound like a great experience you had with the system, hope you manage to get a bit more out of the replacement? Had the master unit as a child and a number of the loc modules, never did get it to run convincingly on what was at the time New Hornby Railway steel track. I do remember from back then and its the same now with Master Units I have they run very warm and have a very distinctive electrical type smell about them. Would be interesting to know what Hornsby repairs in your unit, I think many others had very disappointing experiences with this range of equipment sadly. I think it's suffers from being too early to market and the end user not being ready for it in a number of ways and the equipment being slightly under developed. Expectations were very high... I've had some great fun with it this time around, but I went into it this time perhaps with lower expectations and more understanding of how it was supposed to work and the effects of the infrastructure I was trying to apply it to. In retrospect it was a very brave attempt by Hornby using what was then quite advanced technology for the time. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar
@davidcurrie8564
@davidcurrie8564 2 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley Good morning Oscar! yeah I got three years from it and then sold it on went back to the HM twin controller!! After I removed all the modules what a time I had!.. I now am with the Hornby Elite, far better no problems! (Touch wood) Lol
@Madonsteamrailways
@Madonsteamrailways 3 жыл бұрын
It’s the same as wiring up a modern DCC chip in a pre DCC locomotives and units.
@gerardburton3741
@gerardburton3741 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar. Don't know how you do it. Now I know this video was made a couple of months ago but I have just bought a box of railway bit and pieces. I say box but it was the size of a tea chest. In it was a boxed Zero 1 and 2 chips and all the stuff you should need. It is not something I want as Like gs425 below I got one when they first came out. I was not impressed then and sold it. This one I have got will also be sold off. It is very interesting to see you use it. The big problem with this system was that you could only control up to 12 engines. Far too few for most modellers unless you had engines with duplicate numbers. Then you had to be careful to which engines you put out. Plus as you said the modules were quite expensive for the time. For new controllers might I suggest Hammant and Morgan Duette controllers. All the best. Ged
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Gerard it definitely was an interesting system, a very bold move by Hornby to bring it to market. Probably a little too early and a little under developed, especially as you say the limit on the number of engines that could be chipped without duplication. Great to hear you got to have a go with it in the past, its all good fun. Thanks again for watching glad you enjoyed it. Take care.
@tomo6368
@tomo6368 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar, the reason you may stall over points and need to reset the controller is The wheel tread on Hornby locomotives are wide and on my DCC layout the problem I have found is that when the wheels run into the frog they make contact with the opposite rail this can be cured with clear nail varnish or paint at the frog where the two opposing rails meet
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Paul thanks for the information I have since making this video spotted this happening on one of my curve points. I hadn't thought of using nail varnish to solve the problem, I used a small piece of black electrical tape, but I think I shall give nail varnish a go it seems a far more practical solution thanks for your advice. Take care. Oscar
@brianhepke7182
@brianhepke7182 2 жыл бұрын
Hi Oscar ..... I bought the master and slave after much deliberation....the hand held controller was surprisingly in one of the boxes along with the three unopened module packs. Fortunately all the literature is present as well. However after watching this I am wondering if I made the right decision. . It all seems a bit complicated and I believe you can't use the Zero in conjunction with a normal transformer. Maybe one would have to have two layouts; one for early models and one for those primarily from the Hornby period as it seems the system is geared towards models from '65 to '80? I am not that keen on drilling holes in my fleet of locos either..... Thanks for another informative video. Brian
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 2 жыл бұрын
Good morning Brian great fun can be had with this older equipment however I don't think it really suits any of the models with the XO type motors, whilst they do run they are very noisy and become very hot. I've restricted my conversions to those with the Ringfield star motors and only models were no plastic surgery is necessary. Thanks again take care. Oscar
@geoffwalker315
@geoffwalker315 3 жыл бұрын
Re. No 5, Iused to find that the mesh angle between worm and pinion was critical and could be adjusted by the motor mounting screw.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi thanks again Geoff for watching and the info. Take care. Oscar
@timsmith8189
@timsmith8189 3 жыл бұрын
Very interesting demonstration of what Zero One is capable of. As clever as it is for the majority of layouts it's got a lot of functions I can't see ever being utilised. Does it have information about the programming of routes for trains ?
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Tim I think you're absolutely right possibly a bit to advance for the time is released and not necessary for many layouts, but an exciting prospect! I think the next two phases of the system added a great deal more functionality with point control and a display board where you could see the route that was set. I'm not sure if a specific routes could be called up in one go or they had to set point by point. I think the 3 phase introduced fell short of Train detection although who knows what may have happen with a little more investment from Hornby. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@playpaulbee
@playpaulbee 3 жыл бұрын
I've always liked Zero 1, I did see it as the future, which as a pioneer I guess it was, it''s a shame Hornby didn't continue to develop the system.
@TheRip72
@TheRip72 3 жыл бұрын
It was a look at the future, showing what could be done with a concept. The trouble is that its specifications were so limited that the standards which replaced them could not be made backwards compatible, so the whole system had to be dropped in order to move forwards. I do wonder what today's DCC would be like if Zero 1 had not been an early blueprint.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Paul thanks again for watching great to hear you enjoyed seeing this little fiddle around with the Zero 1 system. It was very brave move by Hornby to bring it to market at that time it was possibly a little too early and under developed. Take care. Oscar
@raymondleggs5508
@raymondleggs5508 3 жыл бұрын
Never heard of this!its basically pre DCC DCC!
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Raymond, yes very much a forerunner of the more advanced systems available today. I believe the technology used was quite cutting edge at the time for the late 70s. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@andrewfanner2245
@andrewfanner2245 3 жыл бұрын
Great run down on Zero One, I'd never seen how the module was set up before. Is it a once ever thing, to reprogram you need to get a new set of fingers?
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Andrew glad you enjoyed at that look at Zero 1, the accessory modules are interesting things but you're right once you start breaking fingers off its sort of a one time use of that set of fingers, however it would be fairly easy to improvise. What I should've shown in the instruction manual is the table of the finger combinations. Thanks again take care. Oscar
@user-zs1km5wu1r
@user-zs1km5wu1r 3 жыл бұрын
I always thought Zero 1 was 20 years ahead of its time. By 1986 it had all but disappeared from the catalogues, with the odd mention of locos not being suitable. From current NMRA systems I cant get my head around the 3 wire "chips" that z1 used, it seams alien! Please don't sacrifice the catenary for z1, I love your layout as is.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Iain I think you may be right, it may have been a little to early to market for an out of the box system. In retrospect I don't think the market was ready and the system was possible a little under developed. I'm glad your enjoying seeing the catenary on the layout but it will have to come off at some point in preparation for the next layout but this will almost certainly have catenary included as well. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar
@spongatejunction
@spongatejunction 3 жыл бұрын
Zero 1 forerunner of today's DCC systems it was way ahead of its time had there been NMRA standards then it might have succeeded
@jeffreymcneal1507
@jeffreymcneal1507 3 жыл бұрын
Momentum function, and signals, I am not clear what the particular advantage Hornby DCC is over a momentum function feature in a conventional analogue power supply. However, the added interest of running two trains simultaneously is apparent, as you have demonstrated. Does your beautiful layout have a name? Having a more restrictive 4x8 layout, ("Henley") I use two separate blocks to interface train movements, and find that arrangement more suited to my ability, patience, and interest. I have pondered going into DCC to cram a third, or even fourth, train into the mix, but my prior adventures in DCC, back before "stay alive" was available, was such that I had to shut down everything and do a rigorous track cleaning every 45 minutes, or the chips would start to ignore speed inputs, which led to having to snatch a train from plowing into its neighbor. It is not useful to engage the extended topic of "good methods" of track cleaning in this inquiry, but safe to say that you clearly have better methods than I did, back in '95. None the less, very, very interesting to see a vintage item like this being put through its paces. Thank you so much for posting.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Jeffrey I think the momentum function is quite interesting. It definitely requires a little bit of a skill to be developed to make best use of it! I imagine back in the late 70s it would've been quite an appealing feature to prospective buyers of an off shelf system. I'm not sure it's a function I would use on a regular basis but it does add interest. A number of manufacturers now include an inertia/momentum function in contemporary DC control units, possibly a function not widely available in the late 70s. I've not named any of my layouts either as a child or now, always referred to them as the railway or the layout! I think you're right it does become quite complicated and I find less enjoyable with the confusion of running even just two locomotives together. It's always sounds like a good idea and it's a great selling point for the many systems available, I can also have to two trains running on the same track using the catenary but I very rarely do, alternatively I can have a train running on each of the two circuits at the same time, which is quite straightforward on the layout but I find I very rarely do this either. The most enjoyment seems to come for me running one train at a time using various routes around the whole layout. There is much fun to be had whichever system is used and very much looking forward to having more of a play with this older Hornby equipment in the months to come when I've developed this railway a little further. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@davidstrains4910
@davidstrains4910 3 жыл бұрын
Great video Oscar great to see the zero 1 in action unfortunately from what I have heard it wasn’t the best system at the time and even hornbys modern digital system isn’t as good either.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning David Zero 1 definitely had its faults I think it was probably released to market a little too early and underdeveloped. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@Madonsteamrailways
@Madonsteamrailways 3 жыл бұрын
For me, it’s got to be a modern DCC controller rather than a Zero 1!!
@Madonsteamrailways
@Madonsteamrailways 3 жыл бұрын
The Zero 1 is the original version of DCC, isn’t it?
@johnyboi8134
@johnyboi8134 Жыл бұрын
Do you need the module to actually run the trains
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley Жыл бұрын
Hi thanks for watching, with this old Hornby Zero 1 system each locomotive needs its own numbered module. There is some great information on the system at the link below. Oscar dccwiki.com/Hornby_Zero_1
@Madonsteamrailways
@Madonsteamrailways 3 жыл бұрын
I don’t think that there was such a thing as Zero 1 Sound, was there?
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
I don't think it was ever developed through to sound functions! But maybe it was in the pipeline? Thanks again. Oscar
@jamiemason9548
@jamiemason9548 3 жыл бұрын
Morning Oscar yet again another amazing video and interesting about old etc how do you get them from but all the best to you and your family thank you oscar :-) :-) :-)
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Good morning Jamie glad you enjoyed the video and found it interesting these old Hornby Railways Controllers were acquired off eBay, I've been putting off having a go with them for some time, but I had been talking about the system with someone a little while ago I became suddenly very enthusiastic and striped the railway of all the other models and put modules into a handful of suitable models/chassis's. I had great fun with Zero 1 over about a week and made the video I think I shall be returning to these controllers and a few other items from the range for a little fun in due course. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@jimmanyk
@jimmanyk 3 жыл бұрын
INTO THE 20th CENTURY! HOW DARE YOU! Dragged kicking and screaming I hope?
@michaelsafol
@michaelsafol 3 жыл бұрын
Looks like it was a system way ahead of it's time, but judging from some of the other comments and your own teenage experience with it there were a lot of issues with it in practice.
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi I think you're right this bold system developed by Hornby around cutting edge of the time was possibly brought to market at a little too early and underdeveloped. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar
@dduck1585
@dduck1585 3 жыл бұрын
Once owned the complete system, prior abandonment of the train set, tended to just use phase 2 and 3 of the system. Hated the way we had to disable smoke units etc on older Hornby and Tri ang locos
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley 3 жыл бұрын
Hi great to hear you had a go with your system. Phase 2 and 3 systems are very interesting. Phase 3 requiring many components from the range to implement it, must've been quite an investment at the time but very impressive in action. Thanks again for watching take care. Oscar
@dduck1585
@dduck1585 3 жыл бұрын
@@oscarpaisley complete phase 3 system was purchased from Beatties very cheaply whilst on sale. Recall purchasing 3-4 of the console....? units alone, the unit that sat on top of the zero 1. The only downside side was the console had an nicad battery that leaks, phase 3 worked well, better than phase 1. Sold my phase 2/3 with a huge profit c2004 ish...
@mikehebdentrains
@mikehebdentrains Жыл бұрын
Just popped back to mention: There's a massive amount of Zero1 being offered on a well known Auction Site - if you search for "JOB LOT (HORNBY ZERO 1)" it may still be available. I was tempted, briefly!
@oscarpaisley
@oscarpaisley Жыл бұрын
Hi thanks info Mike I’ll have a look at that. Take care. Oscar
New Box of Tri-ang Railways & Hornby Dublo Items
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🕊️Valera🕊️
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DO$HIK
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Бенчик, пора купаться! 🛁 #бенчик #арти #симбочка
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Симбочка Пимпочка
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