Kit: Zimo MX648 with YouChoos Zimo MicroCube speaker

2 Screws hold the tender body in place on this Farish 5MT. Although it is still a current product, the design is the older version with motor inside the tender rather than the empty tender more recent version. Still, that shouldn't stop us from adding DCC sound, just with a smaller speaker!

Remove the 6pin socket board and strip back the motor and pickup wires - our decoder wires will be trimmed shorter and soldered directly to their respective places.

A quick check shows that with the pickup tabs bent flat, a standarda Zimo MicroCube (8mm high) will fit neatly in front of the motor without any modifications others than to the metal coal load.

The MX648 has had the protective sleeve removed, and unwanted wires taken off completely, then re-protected with thinner Kapton tape instead. There are no modifications to the plastic of the tender at all.

For the metal coal load, we want to keep as much as possible, but a little of the sides and ends must be ground down a little. When you pop it back on, check for sure that the metal cannot touch the speaker top! If you're not sure, just put a slip of Kapton tape on top of the speaker.

Seems to fit snuggly

This model has traction tyres on the tender, and only 4 of the 6 wheels pickup. The loco has reasonable pickups, but may require a little adjustment to get the best out of it. Otherwise, pretty simple installation!

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.