DCC Convert Your Class 87 Graham Farish N Gauge

Hi everyone in this video I convert the Class 87 by Graham Farish to DCC using DCC Supplies DiGi-Hat's and a Zimo MN170R Decoder.
Heres some helpful links to items used in the video,
10mm Kapton Tape - amzn.to/44OeUhY
Soldering Iron - amzn.to/473vw6W
White Tack - amzn.to/44Of6Oe
Tweezers - amzn.to/3rUhHrg
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@iansngauge]

Impressive as always Rich! You are the Wheeler Dealer equivalent of the N Gauge world - bringing classics back to life to enjoy more time on the rails! Cheers, Ian.

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Haha thanks Ian, although yes less detailed and a bit louder these older locos have definitely proved themselves for just how old they are now. Take care mate, Cheers Rich

[@trainandbikefan]

Nicely done!! I've mostly used RC Gscale over the last dozen years but want to bring some of my Graham Farish 1970's N gauge stock back to life (indoors) - I guess it won't be as straight forward to convert those old locos to DCC, but you've given me a great lesson in patience and care. A BIG THANKYOU!

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

@@trainandbikefan actually alot of the early Graham farish models may be very similar to convert. If you get stuck let me know👍

[@trainandbikefan]

@@ThisWayWorksTWW Thant's a surprise.... I might just do that, thanks again!

[@paulsngaugechannel]

Magical. You show what a bit of thinking and taking the time to check out the options can do to make it easier. Thanks again for sharing your expertise and knowledge. 😊

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Thanks for watching Paul, i very nearly used the chassis screws as pickup points but it just didnt seem a great way to do it on the Class 87. Take Care Rich

[@PeachyTT120]

Always impressed with how tidy your work is.... next episode maybe lights? 🙂

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Thanks Peachy. I do try to be neat sometimes 😅 No lights on this one 👍

[@ngaugefouroaksstreetstatio6932]

Very enjoyable and very informative.

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Thanks Chris, something a bit different 👍

[@rogerclark5869]

Excellent conversion for me Richard runs perfectly behind my Mark 3s. Thank you.cheers Roger

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Thank you Roger, Im glad your putting her to good work! Take care Rich

[@TheHeritageLine]

Great job Richard! that is one of the neatest dcc conversions I've seen. As you say the chassis design helped with neatness of the install. what's up next a Poole era 37/47 chassis to show the difference of the install. A Farish Poole era steam chassis would also make for an interesting dcc conversion 😁. I do like to challenge you LOL! All the best Tony.

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Next up is a 159 👍, i fear i may need to buy some more DiGi-Hats 🤣, i have a fair few Steamers that need this treatment so yes with time il show you my shenanigans 😁

[@BillySugger1965]

Beautiful job! I’m in the process of converting a rather old Farish 08 which is nothing like that straightforward. And yes, I’m trying lights both ends too (sucker for punishment) 😂

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Wow yes youve got your work cut out cramming that all in there! Which decoder are you going to use? The Poole type 08's are nice and heavy which helps for shunting duties👍

[@BillySugger1965]

@@ThisWayWorksTWW Yeah, it’s my first, I guess I don’t yet know enough to be cautious! LokPilot micro is what I’m using. Got some 0.5mm optical fibre and 0603 LEDs for the lights, so they’ll be scale 3” diameter.

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

@@BillySugger1965 fantastic idea to use optics 👍, good luck with it, be great to see it in action once youve got it all together👍

[@clivengauge]

Great job do like watching videos like this very informative thanks for sharing 👍

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Thanks for watching👍 if something comes up a bit out of the norm i do try and share it here 👍 cheers Rich

[@joshwilliams0391]

I had no idea that Graham Farish made this type of chassis at Poole, I thought it was purely a Bachmann thing. Would you say it runs any better than the usual Poole diesel chassis? Like does the flywheel make much difference, and is it any quieter?

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Richard. A very neat and tidy installation - well done. The only thing that worries me about this Class 87 is how noisy the motor appears to be. Is it just this model, or do all GF Class 87s make this noise?

[@ThisWayWorksTWW]

Its pretty common on these older Poole models. notice how when the shell goes back on its also louder as the shell amplifies the noise. you can put blue tack between the body and chassis to dampen the noise a bit. This chassis in particular uses springs that drive the bogies, later down the road on specifically the class 91 Graham Farish used propshafts which cut the noise down dramatically. in short this is how these 87's sound, adding more grease can quieten them a bit however too much grease will cause a bit of a strain on the motor. Cheers Rich