Hi Jim. Great video. I used a Soundtraxx Tsunami PNP8 in mine, I just took out the original circuit board and replaced it. The speaker is a Digitrax SP26158B which fits in the area where the grey enclosure is, I think I kept the enclosure but cut a hole in the top. The grab irons fit without removing the chassis weight if you fit them, glue them with a dab of superglue and then trim them right back almost flush with the inside. I also fitted ditch lights front and rear. As the wires for the LEDs are really thin, I was able to fit them without having to adjust the chassis. I'm not happy with the truck side frames and did look to see if Athearn ones would fit but sadly the pegs are different. Good luck with the build. Let me know if I can help in any way. Steve
Amazing, thanks Steve. I did try to link to your channel in the video but I'm still working through the details of how to add things - I will do that in a future video (though I suspect most of my subscribers came through you anyway!). Thanks again for the advice, particularly around the decoder and ditch lights. Did you get LEDs with lenses already attached? Cheers, Jim
@jimbarrett1975 thanks mate. I still don't know how to link and I have been doing it for a couple of years 😂. I do the whole links in the description though. As for the ditch lights, I just used micro LEDs that I got on ebay. To make the lenses, I used Glue n Glaze after fitting. Remember that when you wire them to the decoder, you need resistors and I would advise using several. Also if you want the ditch lights to flash, each one needs to go to its own function. Then it is a mapping and programming job, but that may be a zoom call when you get there 😆
@thebritishrailroader cheers, I'll take you up on the zoom call at some point I think! I've only done one DCC conversion so far and it's a bit of a disaster - I mean, learning curve!
Do you think Athearn truck side frames would fit, the fitting lugs look the same. If yes, I have a number of them and your welcome to try them out. They may look a bit better as some of the parts are separate add ons.
Thanks Andy, I don't think they're a straight fit but I can make them work - I've been trying to find a couple of sets. I'd be really grateful if I could have some.
@@jimbarrett1975 Jim, Looking at the video, the Walthers ones are the type with 2 brake cylinders per truck side. I think this may be wrong, as I think by the time they got to GP15's they only has 1 per truck side. They are easily removable on Athearn trucks anyway. I will find 4 in good condition.
Ok 8+ Athearn side frames found, hopefully there is enough bits to go with them. Not sure what they are called, but there is a square frame, dampers and the cylinders (2 or 1 cylinder per side frame).
Hi Jim. Great video. I used a Soundtraxx Tsunami PNP8 in mine, I just took out the original circuit board and replaced it. The speaker is a Digitrax SP26158B which fits in the area where the grey enclosure is, I think I kept the enclosure but cut a hole in the top.
The grab irons fit without removing the chassis weight if you fit them, glue them with a dab of superglue and then trim them right back almost flush with the inside.
I also fitted ditch lights front and rear. As the wires for the LEDs are really thin, I was able to fit them without having to adjust the chassis.
I'm not happy with the truck side frames and did look to see if Athearn ones would fit but sadly the pegs are different.
Good luck with the build. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Steve
Amazing, thanks Steve. I did try to link to your channel in the video but I'm still working through the details of how to add things - I will do that in a future video (though I suspect most of my subscribers came through you anyway!). Thanks again for the advice, particularly around the decoder and ditch lights. Did you get LEDs with lenses already attached? Cheers, Jim
@jimbarrett1975 thanks mate. I still don't know how to link and I have been doing it for a couple of years 😂. I do the whole links in the description though.
As for the ditch lights, I just used micro LEDs that I got on ebay. To make the lenses, I used Glue n Glaze after fitting. Remember that when you wire them to the decoder, you need resistors and I would advise using several. Also if you want the ditch lights to flash, each one needs to go to its own function. Then it is a mapping and programming job, but that may be a zoom call when you get there 😆
@thebritishrailroader cheers, I'll take you up on the zoom call at some point I think! I've only done one DCC conversion so far and it's a bit of a disaster - I mean, learning curve!
@@jimbarrett1975 you'll get there, we all make mistakes
"Other sound decoders are available", so that this is a balanced chat.
Do you think Athearn truck side frames would fit, the fitting lugs look the same. If yes, I have a number of them and your welcome to try them out. They may look a bit better as some of the parts are separate add ons.
Thanks Andy, I don't think they're a straight fit but I can make them work - I've been trying to find a couple of sets. I'd be really grateful if I could have some.
@@jimbarrett1975 Jim, Looking at the video, the Walthers ones are the type with 2 brake cylinders per truck side. I think this may be wrong, as I think by the time they got to GP15's they only has 1 per truck side. They are easily removable on Athearn trucks anyway. I will find 4 in good condition.
Ok 8+ Athearn side frames found, hopefully there is enough bits to go with them. Not sure what they are called, but there is a square frame, dampers and the cylinders (2 or 1 cylinder per side frame).
Tried em, they aren't a straight fit unfortunately
@@thebritishrailroader Is it worth Jim trying to make them fit or is it to much trouble (sorry learning)?