DCC fitting to a Dapol DCC READY Q1 steam Locomotive

Fitting of a DCC chip to the DCC ready Q1 Steam locomotive couldn’t be easier.

Firstly remove the tender bodyshell. This is held in place by 2 clips at the rear of the tender that locate into the chassis (these are not visible, but are designed to unclip when you gentle pull upwards on the rear of the tender). The front of the tender will then unclip and pull clear of the chassis, showing the motor, tender weight and DCC board partially hidden under the motor assembly.

You will see, as in the pictures there is a printed circuit board on top of the chassis, under the rear of the motor. This has a DC ‘jumper’ board plugged into the 6pin DCC READY NEM 651 socket. Simply pull the ‘jumper’ board away from the socket but in line with the chassis, NOT away from the chassis. The pins will easily slide out of the socket.

Now in a reverse of the previous action, slide the 6 pin DCC chip of your choice into the socket, taking note from the pictures are to which way up the DCC chip should go.

Replace the tender body from the front first, then clip the rear into place, and programme your chip.

You have now converted your locomotive to DCC operation.

For those wishing to ‘hard wire’ their own choice of chip, once you remove the ‘jumper’ board, there are 6 solder tabs easily visible on the main circuit board, for you to solder your choice of chip to in accordance with the chips manufacturers recommendations.