Well I'm very glad that the whole thing has been resolved now. I think the buffer stops actually look pretty realistic, a bit noisy but at least it's working. That would be a great place to keep locos during reviews when you ask us to spot the different engines ;) keep the faith - callum
Hi Callum, thanks very much mate - yeah I'm very glad too! Glad you liked the buffer stops - a bit rudimentary, but I've glued them on, and they do the job okay! Absolutely - I'm going to use it for running sessions too... if it survives long enough ;) Cheers, Sam :)
Part of the enjoyment of a model railway, is operating the trains. The other part is maintaining the track and mechanicals. Just like with a full scale railway. Solid diagnosis. Great remedy. I wish you many happy hours!
haha, thanks John - yes they're certainly more trouble than they're worth - and mine still isn't 100% perfect! I think the Heljan ones are the best bet - pretty expensive, but hey - they work! Cheers mate, Sam :)
haha agreed - we lost a lot when they moved to China! Not necessarily because of china, but because of the cause of the move to china: the urge to create goods more cheaply and still sell them for high prices, it's definitely ruining things :/ All the best, Sam :)
haha, I hoped they would too... and they did - their service was fantastic and reasonable from that point on! It certainly is :D Thanks for your support mate, Sam :)
I already have a layout up my loft. Me and my dad have just started a 1940's branch line station and engine sheds we can take to shows, great video as Always Sam! 👍
Hi Sam,Hornby have been making those turntables for many years now i had one in the 1970s so you would think that they could have improved the design by now. Glad you got yours working in the end,did see Barries video. Regards Bob
Hi Bob - yeah I've been hearing that a few people have had them since the 70s - did your old one have any of these issues?? Or it could just be this new cheap era I suppose! I'm very glad too mate - it was time well spent, Barry had a great idea there! :D Cheers, Sam :)
Well Sam, now you have one, It's a shame you had to do so much work, on it to get it to function, but at least now it won't breakdown, Big respect for Barrie too, thank heaven he decided to return to youtube, I hope you get many years of pleasure from your turntable, and thanks for sharing it with us, I never have used one, and I never will, years ago when I was about your age, I went to my local stockist, to enquire about turntables, and he told me they were more trouble than they were worth, regards Mark
Thanks Mark - absolutely! It does still struggle for some reason - I think the bridge piece must be warped slightly, but it just about gets around on full power! Your stockist was absolutely right - mine works for now, but I can't see it being with me for many years - I'll be very surprised if I still have it a year from now - we'll have to see! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hello Sam you can slide out the rails with a pair of pliers and adjust the contacts . If the tracks are not central on the table and stick out slitly they rill
Where an electrical connection is needed on moving mechanical parts, "Copper-slip" is a great product sold, in sachets, by Motoring Supplies shops. It's a light grease with smooth copper particles in it. That could be a good medium to use. However, if you do use it, use only sparingly, on the brass contacts.
Sam's turntable had given our favourite handyman trouble from the beginning. Now it had been stripped of turning problems and was working A-OK. Come to 2019, the turntable had been turning very well. Yet, well, let's just say Sam wasn't prepared to put up with a sticky situation. After some time, the well-behaved turntable hadn't been used, just so nothing would be worn out too quickly. Today, of all the bad days he'd ever encountered, Sam tried to get the table to turn but nothing happened. "WHY WON'T YOU TURN?!" he bellowed. It wouldn't budge, and poor Thomas and Broome Manor were stuck on a different siding each. Yet, they conferred between each other and Broome Manor suggested something to Sam. The boy was surprised. "Just pick us up in your steady hands," the GWR Tender Engine advised. "It'll be quicker." "It's better than getting worked up about it," added Thomas. So Sam did that, and he got his running session going that way. Not what he had in mind, but it would have to do. An hour later, the table did start turning, however it made an awful grinding noise like the gears of a car that won't co-operate. The track damaged itself badly. Sam just sank to the floor and sobbed. Today was not his day at all. Have you ever had bad turntable days before?
Congrats on getting a functional turntable! Looking forward to seeing it in future videos. Just curious, are you going to review a 7F 2-8-0 in the future? I have a Bachmann 7F and it is a really nice running engine.
Hi! Thanks so much for that - I'm looking forward to using it too! If I can get a 7F for a good price, then absolutely, I'll try to review them - they do look fantastic! Cheers, Sam :)
Absolutely! I've added those, glued on buffer stops, and tidied the wires - you can see a picture of it on my facebook and twitter! :D All the best, Sam :)
When moving the train (in the middle of the video) does it use the same power from the track where it enters the turntable on every other track or are they all different?
am glad you got the hatton issue fixed now mate it was barrie davis who said about lub on the connection you got some love off ppl on youtube mate from barrie to mark to who ever my issue is if some one like me or northern soul ect small youtuber would hattons or hornby do the same for us like they did you am guessing no (my opinion) your issue with the table as put me right off in getting one! ps support your track arp
Adrian : My original concern precisely. The Distance Selling Act protects anyone though, that includes us buying off auctions too. Some sellers might bank on us not knowing our rights I think. Alan.
Hi Adi, thanks very much mate! Absolutely, that's the problem I had - it's okay for me, but it's not okay for people who can't defend themselves - hopefully this will have improved the situation, and it might encourage Hattons to be more considerate in the future! Absolutely - they're essentially junk! Alan's right too - if a company says 'no' that's not the end of it - card companies, and Paypal offer a great deal of protection... make a case to those bodies, or Ebay if applicable, and you can win your money back if you're found to be in the right! All the best, Sam :)
I'm sorry to see that you managed to get two bad examples of the turntable. Mine worked perfectly straight away and runs very smoothly. I have put a block of foam inside the hut which makes things a bit quieter. I will be converting it to DCC very soon which will involve removing the contacts but the wiring job is very simple not needing any kind of switch. I can't believe how expensive these are on ebay since they were withdrawn by Hornby. I am also very surprised that Hornby has withdrawn something which plays a major part in so many of their track plans. Looking forward to your next video Al.
Hi Alan, that's okay mate - I hear they've always been problematic! Glad yours is okay too, and yes it's odd that they'd do that - but if lots of them have issues, it explains why they may have stopped producing them! Thanks for your support as always mate, Sam :)
Hi Sam , I do remember having similar problems with the same turntable over thirty years ago !! I do think Hornby could come up with a much better design and at a reasonable price . The Triang R 408u is better but the drive gear does split unless you hot glue a washer on the inside and a fibre one on the flat side to strengthen it . I'm sure we all just want something that's up to the job and works !!! RICHARD
Hi Richard, I can't believe they've had issues for so many years, yet never been improved!! Yeah I've seen the tri-ang ones in action, but I was tempted by this one, since it supported modern track and had lots of outputs - but it seems they all have their issues! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I am considering this turntable. It is the only one, that I know of, that can sit flush on the board. Anyway, after watching your video, I am even more keen on one. I just can't help myself to see a challenge in solving the issues... lol
Hi, again, the contact bridge rail (Brass) is catching track on the turntable and distorting it. Have you made a video to make it live contact as mentioned in your video? Any help would be appreciated. ALB
Hi David, sadly I didn't make a video on how to do that, because I was very much playing it by ear myself - it was a huge faff to wire the turntable up to the rotary switch, but it wasn't too tricky, if you wanted to try it?? Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Bit of an unintentional face reveal there, Sam, but happy you got the turntable working. I remember hooking mine up a while ago. It was a manual, mind you, but it's still there in the freight yard. They're tricky. Very tricky.
haha! I'm not too bothered now that I've done the proper reveal lol! Yeah they're nasty little things - but great when they work okay! Cheers mate, Sam :)
Much easier with dcc. No need for the switch, just apply power to all the tracks. Shame it looks so unrealistic. I like Barrie's channel. Very educational. I was a bit concerned when it went off for while, and delighted it is now back.
Yes definitely not right - I also found that the base is warped, meaning it really struggles to turn in places... utter rubbish! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hi Sam, sorry you had trouble with your second unit. It does appear that "as bought" this device has several weaknesses. I reckon you have been more patient than many, and have had to adapt it to make it reliable. I hope Hornby will see your video, and have another look at the design. I feel it needs beefing up in several departments. Can you imagine the disappointment for younger modellers, who wouldn't be able, and shouldn't need, to make any mods of their own ? Back in the 1990s, my unit had an XO3 motor and various gears. It didn't lack power, but I had lubed all the working parts. The little brass connectors never were 100% reliable, but a small turn of the "bridge" usually helped. I don't remember that worrying "snapping sound", so I still think Hornby should look at the design again. Regards, Cliff.
Thanks Cliff - I wasn't too surprised really! Yeah that would be nice actually- it's okay for power, but the main gear badly rubs against the moving part when the bridge is stationary at certain angles - sometimes it even stalls the motor! I've lubricated it as well as I can, but I don't know what else to do :( I could try to add an X03 then, which might give it some more power, but I suppose the issue would still be there :/ Agreed - a re-design would be good, though I've noticed they don't sell these any more on their site! Cheers mate, Sam :)
It does sound like the table has a slight "warp", if it rubs in certain places. If you wish, remove the bridge, and rub some house polish around the edge, to make the table "super slippy". If trouble persists, and you otherwise like the turntable, look for another used unit from a train fair, you may be able to swap some parts, without undoing your special wiring arrangement. You may also gain the XO3 with the necessary gear train. This has been "a right test for you", I am sure you will win in the end... :D Yours, Cliff.
I use the Märklin 74861 H0 turntable. No problem. Did what he's supposed to do from the start. And also quieter. It is also expandable to 30 rail connections. I think your Hornby Turntable makes a lot of noise.
"I mustn't stick," thought James. He stopped on just the right place to balance the table; it could now swing easily. Gordon arrived in time to see everything. James turned much too easily; the wind puffed him round like a top. He couldn't stop. "Well, well," said Gordon. "Are you playing roundabouts?" Poor James feeling quite giddy rolled off to the shed without a word. Imagine one of your engines spinning round like a top on an out-of-control turntable. I'd find it hilariously funny to watch.
Yeah sure! The next requests are being shown tomorrow, so remind me in the comments and yours can be in the next one - I can only do 25 or so, so get it in there early mate! All the best mate, Sam :)
I see u have the same hammer clasp knife like i do. And i wanted to say that some locos doesn't tolerate that "bump" when the tracks meet the table"s track but u saw it your self. Lifting the table a bit helps, and lowers the chance to dirt get in the mechanism, it really can kill it. Careful with the motor, it overheats easily, I replaced mine with a stronger one because my table (the layout) saw many shows and exhibits back in those days ,and it had to work without problems.
haha oh yeah - very useful for clouting things that don't play ball ;) Yeah I noticed that - but my locos seemed to be fine if you just take it slow! Thanks for the tip on the motor too - I may do that if this one fails - presumably the X03 can be made to fit?? All the best, Sam :)
Many thanks Ian, I am reasonably happy with this now - except for the fact that the motor clearly struggles at times... it's better than nothing though! All the best, Sam :)
Thanks so much Tom - I'm fairly sure it would never have happened if it wasn't for everyone's support on here, so I'm truly greatful! But yeah - Hattons were very good from that point on ;) Cheers mate, Sam :)
Hi Sam. Please can you help. I'm using a working R695 and separated the joined inputs with out problems. The white/black goes into the yellow switch and the switch determines if loco moves. The mains power adapter clicks after few minutes
Hi. Good video. The point at which it stops is a sequential part of the indexing and looks to me to be correct? Turning it by hand will be a lot harder as you are turning a gear train. You are correct in that it will break it. Well it will probably strip the gear teeth. Brian
Hi Brian, Yes you're right - the mechanism it's self works quite well - the problem was the contactors which connect to the various tracks - they 'crunch' under the moving rail, and cause the mechanism to jam up. Also, the plastic base of the turntable appears to have warped, causing massive friction at certain points of the cycle... adding the rotary switch, and careful lubrication, seems to have it working okay now! Cheers, Sam :)
Hi I was following Barries on his turn table videos and for some reason he took them down. As Im only half way though converting my turntable Im wondering if you still have the videos to help me finish the wiring. your help would be greatly helpfull many thanks John
hi i fixed mine by cutting the dodgy contacts and soldering a blob of solder on the ends, now you get a low friction contact between the track and the turntable. it sounds too easy, but it works
Thanks Peter, yeah I don't know what it is - it could just be the latest batch maybe?? But yeah the switch works perfect, and yep it should be perfect for DCC now too! :D All the best, Sam :)
My hornby turntable always did the clicking noise with the contacts throughout it life and mine was probably 20+ plus years when I 1st installed one on my layout and when I restarted doing my model railway last June it was just completely seized but that was probably down to lack of use. Doesn't look like it's changed at all since I got my all that time ago.
It just unclips - you need a couple of flat bladed screw drivers, slot them into the gaps, and gently ease the clips outwards - it then just lifts off! Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Hi Sam, well done for resolving most of the issues, what a precarious turntable for reliability. I think if you had left those clips in with a working turntable I think it would have failed over time when you hear those clicks, and the freezing as it goes around. Does the turntable handle the polarity when you turn a loco 180 degrees, or does if not matter with DC?
Hi Simon, many thanks mate! Yeah - definitely not too impressive! I didn't think it'd last long like that either - which is why I chose to operate! Yeah, the bridge it'self changes polarity when it turns greater than 90 degrees from the input track, and I wired each rail with the same polarity with respect to each-other, so it works just like it did before, but you now just have to turn the switch! Cheers mate, Sam :)
Hello a bit out of topic but I recently bought some hornby Dublo tin coaches but the issue is there couplings are a strange old hook couplings from the 1920s or 30s but I'm not too sure how to replace them with modern day hornby couplings? Would you know?
Hi! Thanks for the comment! Yes it is possible - you have to drill the old couplings off, and then you can glue a modern coupling to the edge of the coach - it's very rudimentary, but it does work! Also make sure that they have plastic wheels - the coaches were designed for 3-rail, which means they'll cause a short circuit on 2-rail track if their wheels are metal! Let me know how you get on mate, Sam :)
So Sam what type of track it this cause I don't want to have to diy some of my track if I want to have this thing in my house and I'm going for an older model, the atlas or something like that, so I like to be a bit ocd about this stuff and keep it in mind
Crikeys Sam ,, By the sound of it it was broken to start with or maybe the tooling for it was getting old and tired and they (hornby) were ok were going to sell the last lot of these as that sounds bloody terrible.. Its something I wouldnt have expected from a brand new item and i hate think how much you paid for it as I know there not cheap well not here in Australia at least ,, we seem to charged top dollar for everything here haha In my oppinion it sounds like the wurring sound got worse and developed a very heavy clicking in sync with the motor and gearing when it was turning and I suspect that the high viscous grease might have been in the gears etc to quieten it down as it sounded worse after you serviced it. It was also struggling and the motor was having ttrouble to turn when it was pointing towards where the motor and gear assembly house/shed is and did the same after you serviced it. It may be out of round or something and getting stuck in that spot. I know its your choice but if it were mine Sam I would have returned it and maybe went with another brand as if others had no problems with there turntables well may have been something wrong with the two you recieved. Any rate dont bin it as you may be able to use it as parts as I do here ,, everything parts is handier than having to buy and hunt for the parts required to fix stuff hahah.. Anyhoo thanks agains for awsome vids as we all learn something from every video we all watch (even if its brand new it dosent always work lol) ,, so thankyou. Cheers from John in Australia.
Well, it still works - but it doesn't sound healthy! It's certainly more affordable, but I still can't recommend it - unless you want to do some serious modification! Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Hiya Sam. What a journey this has been! It would be interesting to know how many people have complained, tried to return, successfully returned this particular product to the suppliers since it was originally floated? And how many people have had negative results in trying to return or asking for a refund? I know you had the issue with Hattons, but it looks again to be just another sub standard model from Hornby! I'm sure once you've weaved your magic Sam, It'll be a proper job!! Best wishes mate. Dave
Hi Dave, absolutely - it'd be very interesting to know that! Agreed - the fault wasn't Hatton's fault, and it clearly is a terrible design - but luckily the fault seems to be okay now anyway! Cheers mate, Sam :)
Also small video idea which in which on the turntable you just shunt a large train into different tracks like tankers, vans, open wagons and break vans? Might have to use this idea myself. 🙂
Hi! Yeah I'd love to do that... I'll wait until the turntable lasts a few weeks first - I'm not convinced how long it's going to last :/ That's cool too - I'll have to do that at some point! Cheers, Sam :)
Im confused... i cant find "last weeks turntable video", anyone got a link or a name for that video. The description mentions one, then sam says the response from "that video" was what hattons saw and he says "turnable excitement back" from when...
Hi Sam I’ve just bought one of these and mine is doing the same as yours was wondering how to access the gears and what grease did you use cheers Steve
Hi Steve - the upper housing of the red platform should just unclip from the base - I use the usual oil I use on my locos, though you can use silicon grease! Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Also, I think when you tested this out, you should have used a tender engine as well, just because it's best to test it with locos of different lengths.
Yeah that very true though! I notice it doesn't mind heavy/long locos, it was just the power system and the locking mech that were playing up! Thanks again mate, Sam :)
How did you get power to the outlet tracks? I have this and the locomotive does not run when the turntable switches to any of the outlet tracks. It was my understanding that the turntable was supposed to transfer the power to any track it switches to. It doesn't seem to be working for me.
Hi Shane - I hard-wired them all to a rotary switch, you can see it working at the end! But yes - the latest ones just don't work right... how are you at soldering? Have a look at Barrie Davis's channel - he'll teach you how to wire this to a rotary switch, which you can buy cheaply on Ebay! Good luck, Sam :)
What I did was use some spare Hornby track links from the main track to the outlets. Of course make sure to align the contact points correctly or a short circuit will occur when the locomotive touches the turntable from the outlet.
Sam, if I recall correctly, I don't think Hornby recommend using the HM2000 to power your turntable. Perhaps you should use another controller. Have a look at your the instructions with the HM2000 controller?
Hi Gary, yes that is true - you shouldn't use the uncontrolled DC, because it's 16v, not 12v - but I hooked the turntable to a spare 0-12v output, which is perfect for it! Thanks very much for the comment, Sam :)
Hi there Sam, I have the same turn table and its making the same cliking noise in a few places and its where the track on the turn table clicks past the X918 tracks where the metal track extends too far onto the turn table, simply by pushing these back stops this happening.
Yes I have had that happen before too, but my problem was mainly with the contacts, and also the warping of the plastic base, which prevented the bridge from turning correctly - I ended up buying an old turntable, and using parts from that! Thanks for watching - Sam :)
nice video! and a good hint about filming everything what your doing by unboxing! I hope Thomas is going to like the turntable :D have you already found a BR 212? greetings, Brian
Thanks Brian - yeah definitely, it's always worth doing! I hope so too - I'm sure he will :3 No I haven't yet - but I am keeping an eye out for one at a good price! Cheers, Sam :)
Hey Sam, with the turntable, do you need a separate controller to opporate it? Or can you use the same controller that you would use for your track? Cheers Jordan
You could use the same controller as with your track, but you'd need to install a switch, and it'd only work once the controller was turned up! It's much easier to use a separate supply! Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Barries video link doesnt work anynore? I'd love to set my turntable up with a rotary switch just like that but I'm.not sure how to do it? Any chance of a video from you Sam?? Cheers
Sadly he's deleted his channel! Mine's all done now, so I missed making a video unfortunately! I can look into it though! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sam'sTrains Hi Sam, I’ve hit the same problem. Would really like to rewire my Hornby turntable due to the same problems you have but I can’t find any further info online re. The rotary switch and associated wiring. Ant steer greatly appreciated!
From new it was a pain Constantly sticking but when the turntable is remove you can see how bad the operating system is But good advice on lower voltage to the motor Maybe will use it maybe look for something better
Agh Sam! I bought a Hornby turntable the other day (foolish or what?) because my previous Peco kit manual was always giving me trouble aligning tracks.. so anyway my turntable wont turn? makes noises and the table ws not set on to a track so couldn't run the engine onto the bridge.. hmm do I have to take it apart?
well I did and the gears were sticky but they do go round byt the table still doesn't revolve. its jammed somewhere. how exactly does the big gear which supposedly contacts the table (where exactly?) make it revolve. there are no teeth on the underside of the table. doesn't seem to revolve even when its freed..oh god..
Sorry to hear you've had trouble - you're discovering how truly awful these are! The big gear is a special type of sprocket, which engages with the base of the turntable, allowing it to turn, line up with the tracks, and stop for a period! Sometimes the base section on new versions is warped, and prevents the thing from turning - send me some photos if you can, and I'll take a look!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)
thanks for yr reply Sam..I seems to have the same problem as yrs ie the copper strip is sticking up too far. but the table still wont revolve moves a bit..not sure if I put that sprocket in the right way round? and if the gears are in the right position when I put the cover thing back on. cos when I took that cover off the gears were not in position. (god at least my peco kit manual did the job most of the time! thought the Hornby turntable.. would be easier...not sure how I send a picture to you?
Very glad mate! Hmm, I'm not too sure - does it run on the ring-field motor, or that newer 5-pole assembly?? I'd have a look on Ebay! All the best, Sam :)
do you have a link to barry's video? i have two of these turntables one works fine the other is not so great so would like to have the option as a backup.
Absolutely here it is: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tXdGmytk14c.html He hasn't done his yet - but he explains everything you need to do! :D Cheers, Sam :)
Hi Sam, remember that I went through many changes in character in the show from Season 1 to Season 23 as a successful character and don't forget to check out Thomas Is Here's channel, he just uploaded a sneak peek at his own series of stories and episodes!
Also, Thomas Is Here will be getting a bunch of Bachmann Thomas & Friends items to build an entire layout around his home, along with 3 Super Stations for his Trackmaster series with Tidmouth Sheds and construct Gordon's Hill, build Henry's Tunnel, my branchline, the Sodor Steamworks, Brandem Docks, Knapford Station, and more destinations, with me, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Montague (Or Duck for that matter), the Scottish Twin Engines, Oliver, the Tank Engine Twins and more friends!
