Hornby Rxxxx 'SS'

[mjb1961]

Hi,,,on the new released locos with steam generator the suffix on the end of R numbers are 'SS',but the confusion for me is that on the New Modellers Shop website they show the TTS symbol along with the steam generator symbol,so yes the 'SS' could mean it has sound and steam but on the hornby site it does not mention it ,does anyone know the true meaning of the 'SS' suffix,,,,thanks ,Martin

[Walkingthedog]

Steam and Sound I believe. So it would mean Steam Generator and a TTS decoder. It is just indicating that the sound decoder is TTS not another type.

[mjb1961]

thanks WTD.

[RAF96]

I queried this with Hornby as the product pages for all three SS locos are vague and ambiguous. Suggestions have been made to clarify which loco has which additional lighting effects and to confirm that all three come with sound and steam as standard.
I can therefore confirm that the SS locos (Steam and Sound) do come factory fitted with a new 21-pin sound decoder which is necessary for the operation of the steam generator. Certain characteristics of the steam effect will be adjustable by CV. I can add that SS will not work on DC but it is not yet confirmed if the additional lighting effects (firebox and route code lamps) will operate on DC, that will depend upon the final configuration of the decoder socket blanking header.
The term TTS is presently being used by the modelling press as no official new name has been given out by Hornby despite the new sound decoder obviously being more capable than the old 8-pin TTS decoder in order to operate these new features. Call it TTSS if you like to differentiate from the existing decoder.