PAUL CHETTER explains how to fit sound to the newly released and finely detailed ‘N’ gauge ‘Merchant Navy’ from the Bachmann Graham Farish range using readily available decoders and speakers.
Above: This sound installation guide shows how we installed ZIMO sound into the Graham Farish 'N' gauge 'Merchant Navy'. Here the finished model clocks up some mileage on Rob Elliott's 'N' gauge model of Lostwithiel.
The improvement in quality and detail of British outline ‘N’ gauge models has exploded recently. By a happy coincidence, the tenders of steam locomotives have become less cluttered internally – and that gives us some real opportunities for Digital Command Control (DCC) in the smaller scale. Though it wasn't as simple as a plug and play solution, installing sound in Farish’s original condition ‘Merchant Navy’ is now a viable option providing suitable components are selected.
The miniature Zimo MX648 decoder is the obvious choice since it fits the available space, whilst still allowing room to install a full size 10mm x 15mm cube speaker. This combination results in smooth motor control with a surprisingly loud sound output.
The complete installation is contained within the tender so there is no need to separate the locomotive …
