Example 1: Older WD with no DCC socket

Kit: Zimo MX645 with Zimo LS40X22X09-2W dual Dumbo speaker, 1000uF stay-alive

The older Bachmann WD 2-8-0 models so far have little provision for DCC, so it is a case of hard-wiring. This loco has precious little space, so we use a 4pin mini-connector to take the pickups and motor wires back to the tender.

All the kit will go into the tender, which has a fair enough of space, but we want to use a massive dual Dumbo Zimo speaker (LS40X22X09-2W) so we have to create a bit more room by removing the sloping plastic from underneath the coal load.

Check the speaker for fit and clear a little more until it goes in comfortably. The coal load with hide the hole we just made.

Next we work out the route for the 4 wires from the loco. We join 2 to the pickup strips internally and the motor wires can be threaded up through an existing hole. We drill a hole in the curved back of the pickup assembly so that the wires flow underneath and largely out of sight.

Inside the loco, there shouldn't be much need to surplus wire length, so trim as appropriate to make it as neat and tidy as possible.

The wires look quite long here, but it is just about spot on to reach the centre of the tender, threaded through so they do not snag.

For the tender, we simply stick a piece of Black Tack underneath and squash the socket end of the connector to it. We've reused some existing hole to thread the wires back up through, but in retrospect it might have been better to go around the centre one, as it interfers a bit with the retaining screw that holds the tender body on.

It is then just a case of wiring up the decoder, speaker and 1000uF capacitor and mounting it all into the tender.

The decoder needs to sit at an angle, but will just go in. Hold this and the capacitor in with some Black Tack.

Example 2: Later WD with 21pin socket in tender

Kit: MS440C; YLR302815 speaker; SuperCap

This time we have a later version of Bachmann's WD model, with 21pin DCC socket in the tender.

Blanking plate out...

This is the kit we plan to fit... big speaker, so will have to make space for it.

The weights are removed, and we flatten the entire area where the big speaker will go.

We remove the capacitor from the model, as this is only for DC running, and can cause communication issues with the decoder. Removing it takes away those issues, and also frees up more space.

YLR302815 speaker is soldered on the finger tabs.

A little more shaving is required under the coal load to make the available space as high as possible.

A SuperCap is attached to the MS440 decoder, wrapped in Kapton, and BlackTack'd at the rear of the tender. We also put a little piece of protective Kapton over the model's PCB just to ensure that the decoder cannot short out on anything.

Since we removed the original metal weight from the tender, we snip a few pieces of roofing lead, wrap them in electrical tape and secure them around the remaining space in the tender to bring the weight back up again.

Example 3: MGOLANG stay-alive

Kit: MS440C; YLR302815; MGOLANG

Same approach as previous example, but with the newer MGOLANG GoldCap array stay-alive instead.

MGOLANG fits neatly right at the rear of the tender.

Example 4: Easy approach

Kit: MS440C; YC28R round speaker

If you want a much simpler approach, then just use a 28mm round speaker, as the tender is designed for it in this 21pin model.

The stay-alive, we could just use the sample 1000uF capacitor that comes with the MS440 like this...

Or go for an MGOLANG at the rear instead - simples!

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.