Example 1: EFE Class 17 Clayton with Zimo sound (MX)

Kit: MX659N18; Minnow4 speaker

Not really designed with DCC Sound in mind, the Bachmann/EFE Class 17 Clayton can have sound fitted though, without too much trouble.

Remove the cab and fuel tank and of course the Next18 blanking plate. Cab seats etc. just drop out (gently push cab lugs from underneath the running plate as this is a little flimsy).

Gently lever off the Next18 circuit board. Be careful as it is attached to the motor by hot glue 'gunge' or something similar, This also covers some of the wires and must be carefully removed in small sections so as not to pull any wires off the circuit board.

When all the glue is removed SP+ and SP- connections will be found on the circuit.

Attach speaker wires to circuit board (black wires used instead of the usual purple as they do not show up through cab windows).

There is room to feed the speaker wires up the side of the motor, drill two small holes in the cab interior. Reattach the circuit board to the underside with BlackTack or similar. Test that the loco runs correctly before further progress.

Despite the small size of the MX659N18 sound decoder, a little modification is required to the fuel tank molding, to allow the end of the decoder to poke through.

Replace the cab interior, feed wires through and solder to the Minnow4 speaker. Test sounds., then attach the speaker to top of cab interior with glue or BlackTack. Replace cab on loco.

Photos and original words supplied courtesy of Martin at GLR Bespoke.

Example 2: MS Sound

Kit: MS590; Minnow4

Similar approach, but a little easier using the MS590 - just a case of threading some wires for the speaker up into the cab.

Speaker wires threaded up, a little BlackTack to hold the speaker, and all done! BlackTack goes on the plastic side of the speaker so that the metal component side is free to breathe.

Fits comfortably, and a test run shows the model to run very nicely.

Please note that these guides are provided as useful resources for you, as-is. YouChoos cannot be held responsible for errors in the information, or for any damage caused to your models or equipment if you choose to follow any of the steps detailed here.