Revolution Trains DPU Class 128 in N Gauge

Kit: MS581 'G' with SugarCube8

Revolution Trains DPU 128 Parcels model in N Gauge is a great little model, well designed, good smooth runner, and onboard speaker already, so it shoud be simple to upgrade to DCC Sound.

Here we see the model with standard (non sound) MN180 decoder fitted.

Another model, this one getting the DCC Sound treatment using an MS581 'G'.

The decoder simply plugs in, and we connect 2 mini GoldCaps in series to the pre-attached stay-alive wires on the MS581 'G'.

The onboard speaker is OK, but we found that there is a fair bit of rattle/vibration from it with the engine sounds revving up, so we decide to bypass the factory speaker and fit a more capable SugarCube8 inside the body instead.

Some Kapton tape insulates the factory speaker so it cannot connect, and we solder a pair of wires to the contact pads on the underside of the model's PCB so we can wire in our new speaker.

The new speaker wires feed through the aperture in the PCB.

Solder the wires onto our SugarCube8, wrap the speaker in Kapton tape, and use a blob of BlackTack so it can be secured in the roof of the model. By using BlackTack, it should stay secure for a long time, but we use the Kapton tape just in case it does come lose, so there is no danger of the speaker contacting with the model's PCB below.

Some of these models have only white/headcode lights (no reds), but others have red tails too. You can tell by looking at the SMD LEDs on the PCB.

Some clearer pictures of how the GoldCaps attach to the decoder...

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.