I’ve just found these two items, but there’s very little on them, such as minimum radius. These look much more of a simple design unlike the very complicated Marklin TGV sets. But they may just have DC wheel sets and a slider with the problems of gauge as these wheel sets may have problems over K track points?

http://www.gaugemaster.c...mp;OB=&currentpage=1
I’m interested in finding more about them, if anyone knows.
Dan

These are improved models based off of the Lima TGV (new generation) molds from 1990's. I would guess that you are correct that they have DC wheels with a slider.

I have converted many of the original Lima TGV (new generation) versions by adding a Marklin slider. Lima originally offered a few of these in AC versions and the front boogie has provisions for adding a slider. I used either a Lokpilot or Loksound for the driving car (M1) and a Lokpilot FX to switch the lights in the false driving car (M2). I also added some weight to each of the center cars (R1-R8).

I can't speak to K track, but I have not had any issues operating these on C track. The end cars (R1/R8) are longer than the middle cars (R2-R7) and will look and operate best on R2 or greater.

r/mark

It all looks a bit vague from Hornby. I will need to see them running.?before I make up my mind.
Do your BLS ac locos run ok? Since Jouef and Riverossi are all designed by the same people. Thanks Dan

Hi Dan,

I notice Rivarossi are doing the Big Boy. It would probably be worth them doing a 3 rail ac version too.

We must get together again with Max for a pint at the Railway Inn sometime.

Best wishes

ianC

I set up and ran the ETR 610 for a few laps on my oval. The same for the Rivarossi BLS Re 4/4 set.
The BLS brownies were from the second batch. The first being the single lok with the crest of "Grenchen". The twin set was then released with one BLS and one BN Lok. The two are designed to be used as a multiple unit. In order to use the loks independently, you have to change dip pins on the PC board.
Seeing that the loks (AC) are equipped with ESU decoders, the light settings could have been left to the decoder and made the circuit board changes unnecessary.

Mechanically, they run fine.

The newly released models are supposed to be improvements over the earlier models.
I have since bought the two new Roco models, so those will handle the individual operations and the Rivarossi set will run as a pair.

Compared to LSM, Roco, Maerklin and other brands, the Hornby models seem rather "rough" in electronic conception. The PC boards are not as clean and don't seem to be as modern. As far as exterior fit and finish, they look fine.

Regards

Mike C