Dapol N Gauge GWR Grange with DCC Sound and Stay-Alive

Kit: MX648; SugarCube5; LifeLink+2x Flat Tantalums

Like most through-shaft Dapol N Gauge steam models, the approach is similar - remove the 6pin DCC socket to make room for a SugarCube speaker at the rear (SugarCube5 is the biggest we can do in this one) and rebuild a coal load over the MX648 decoder above the motor. In addition, we add a small stay-alive in the form of our LifeLink PCB (sits above the decoder) and 2x flat Tantalum capacitor, which tucks in behind the motor, and makes a marked difference to running quality.

Strip out all the factory parts include the 6pin DCC board, supressors and wiring, as the decoder will be simply wired direct.

Cut out the coal aperture (pretty much the whole thing has to be removed for the decoder to sit comfortably inside).

The pair of Tantalums are joined vertically and sit behind the motor. Initially we try to also place the LifeLink there too, but the combination is just too high for the rear of the tender body to fit down again, so we move the LifeLink above the decoder instead. If we'd gone with just a single Tantalum, we probably could have tucked Tantalum+LifeLink under there instead.

Now with LifeLink covered in Kapton and placed above the decoder, body sits on properly.

We cover with black electrical tape, then work some BlackTack into the gaps ready to glue on the new crushed coal load. Work the BlackTack for a while until you're happy with the load's shape.

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