Dapol N Gauge HST with Zimo sound both ends, stay-alive, drivers and cab lights

Kit: MX649N (one each end); SugarCube7 (motor car)/SugarCube9 (dummy); SACC16 (each end); various Tantalums for stay-alive

Dapol's current HST range of models are great candidates for taking DCC sound..

Firstly, the motor coach, we use an MX649N direct 6pin plug-in sound decoder, and a SugarCube7 speaker, which just about fits between the end of the chassis and the rear body clip. Be careful with the speaker wires though, that they don't catch on the body when reattaching.

A small stay-alive can be squeezed in undeneath the end of the decoder, in front of the speaker - a SACC16 PCB cut-down to minimum size, with a single flat/wide 330uF Tantalum capacitor is about all we can get in, but it is enought to help avoid those little stutters in running.

With the MX649N plugged in, the body simply won't go back on flush, so we cut the plastic screw mounts underneath the PCB so that the whole thing can sit a little lower.

A similar approach at the dummy end, with MX649N plugged straight in, with the screw mounts cut off. However, we can put in a bigger speaker (SugarCube9 in this case) and more stay-alive (SACC16 with 5x 220uF Tantalums). This all goes in the gaping hole where the motor would have been.

All done...

Here's a similar example, but with cab lights and drivers added too.

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.