How to convert N Gauge Graham Farish Class 43 HST (Poole) to DCC

This model requires two digihats to convert to DCC, one above the motor at the top of the chassis, and one below the motor at the bottom of the chassis.

Step 1 - Remove body

Remove the body by pushing gently towards the back of the loco.

Step 2 - Disassemble Chassis

Remove the two screws at either end of the chassis block, and pop out the two bogies.

Step 3 - Install Lower Digihat

Turn the chassis upside down. Move the retaining arm to one side, and remove the spring, brass sleeve and motor brush.

Replace the sleeve with the plastic digihat. Solder the grey wire to the spring. Add shrink sleeve insulation around the retaining arm.

Replace the motor brush inside the digihat, followed by the spring. Secure in place by moving the retaining arm back across. At this point, use a multimeter to check there is no continuity between the grey wire and the chassis or metal strip that runs the length of the chassis.

Step 4 - Modify Chassis

Remove the capacitor. Solder the red wire where one of its legs was previously soldered to the metal strip.

Trap the black wire underneath the screw, or use a solder tab if you have them.

Drill a small hole through the plastic at each side, and pass the black, red and grey wires up towards the top of the chassis.

Step 5 - Install Upper Digihat

Turn the chassis back the right way up. Repeat what you did in Step 3 to fit the upper digihat, only this time use the orange wire.

Step 6 - Install Decoder

Solder the red, black, grey and orange wires to the decoder.

Add some kapton tape to the decoder to protect it from shorts, then fit it into the roof of the body using some black tack.

Step 7 - Refit Body

Refit the body, and the conversion is complete.