After a few weeks of deliberation I decided to bite the bullet and change Kingswood to a DCC lay out. 

My very good friend and model railway expert, Wilf, had brought around an NCE power Cab and a sound equipped DCC engine for me to try, back in January. With his instructions I soon got the hang of it and decided it was what I really wanted. Cost however was a big blocking point, I had already spent my entire model railway budget.

My wife and fellow model railway enthusiast, Sue, suggested I sell my last Wargame army to fund it. So a quick phone call to a Wargaming friend and I was inundated with offers to buy it. I got just short of £800 and this would just about cover the controller and all the chips I needed plus one or two sound chips.

I went for the NCE controller plus Gaugemaster DCC27 chips (DCC23 for the 6 pin Panniers), apart from the ones required for the Dapol railcars. For these I opted for TCS EU621

I chose my class 37 as the first engine to be sound chipped. After listening to as many as I could, I opted for South West Digital Class 37 sound chip.

Next to be done will be my Hornby 08, Dapol Class 22 and Dapol 122. Should all be done by the end of the week :)

Hi John,

:doublethumb  :Happy :cheers

Nigel

 :hi

Over the moon with it Nigel :)

Hi John.  Very good, but, was it a case of DCC ready or did you have to get out the soldering iron ? And then did you go for the sound option? I have a lot of Hornby Locos to do, including an Hornby Terrier which is really tiny, and a couple of Dapol L&Y Pugs which require Hard Wiring, and I would like to “ have a go at hard wiring a few myself “. Best wishes Kevin 

Well done John - you've joined the land of the living …………………… :thumbs