How to convert Graham Farish Class 04 D2258 (371-051) to DCC

This guide covers the following models:

• Class 04 Shunter D2246 in BR Green with late crest (371-050)
• Class 04 Shunter D2258 in BR Blue (371-051)

This guide is for the modern Bachmann-era Chinese tooling version of the Class 04 shunter, which comes with a modern coreless/CAN motor fitted. Examples of this model include:

Step 1 - Remove Body

Undo the four tiny screws underneath the chassis, then lift the body up and off.

Step 2 - Modify Motor Connections

Desolder the black wire from the motor PCB. Bend the chassis contact away from the other motor contact for now.

Solder grey and orange wires to the motor PCB.

Step 3 - Modify Track Connections

Snip the chassis contact off, leaving about 1mm. Solder a red wire to the remaining stub.

Undo the small nut holding the long screw in on the other side of the chassis. Desolder the black wire from the copper tab, and solder the black wire from your decoder to it instead. Secure the tab back in place by tightening the nut.

Step 4 - Fit Decoder

Add some shrink sleeve, or wrap the decoder in kapton tape. Use blacktack to stick it to the chassis at the back. At this point, it's a good idea to test that your wiring is good and that everything works as it should.

Step 5 - Refit Body

Add a piece of kapton tape to secure the wires to the top. This will make it easier to refit the body.

Refit the body, then the four screws underneath. Place the loco on your test track to check you can read the Loco ID back, and the conversion is complete.