*TIPS* How to DCC a non-DCC Ready Locomotive 

An absolutely amazingly simple tutorial! Understood all of it (and i don't understand electronics)

Finally, a how-to without fear of steady CLOSEUPS!!! That will be crucial for N-gauge how-to's. Excellent work, much thanks.

Well done. A great intro to beginners and a clear explanation of how simple it is indeed (with care and patience and the preparation and right materials) it is to convert a DC loco into a DCC controlled digital loco.

Excellent tutorial. I have nearly two hundred OO scale, locomotives in my collection and currently adding non sound decoders where applicable. I do have about forty with sound. Fortunately, I only have three non DCC ready locos, so your tutorial, has been very helpful.

Hi, I've just got into the hobby of hornby trains and it was because my dad has one. I'm nearly 11 and for my birthday (nov 8) I'm getting a hornby virgin pendolino train and for Christmas I'm getting hornby accessories for it and you've made my dreams come true, so thank you and keep up the great vids.

Very well explained and filmed ! Thanks very much !!

Wonderful presentation of converting to DCC, the video gives more confidence in attempting to do a dc loco to dcc now as a complete novice in model train hobby, thank you.

Thanks for a great video. I used it on my first conversion. Having extra flux that you can aplicate on with a toothpick in prepare soldering is very helpful and a slightly smaller tip on the soldering tool. It's not the amount of tin that makes the difference. Thanks!

To start off with the basic Hornby Select DCC controller is excellent. After that you can move on to something fancier. And the basic Hornby chips R8249 are great value too. I use them a lot and never have any problems.

That is the clearest and by far the best DC to DCC conversion that I have watched. Thank you and keep up your excellent work.

Thanks again for a well presented, clear and easy to follow video guide. Although still firmly routed in DC operation I found the guide useful and informative. Your clear explanation and attention to detail has made this one of the best utube videos I have seen for a long time. Keep up the good work. Shaun Leonard.

I've just done a Lima class 31 today and it was my first time. It gives the old locomotives a new lease of life. I have quite a few more old ones that need to be done besides the ones that are dcc ready. I have got 34 dcc locomotives now and at 3 dozen to be done still.

Very good work, all set up ready to go no waste of time clear and concise instructions Well

Thanks, for the video, I just got back into the hobby and need to DCC convert all my N and HO engines from the 70s to the 1990s. It was a big help.

Really clear well explained has given me confidence I could attempt this.

Thanks for sharing, i have around 12 very old locos, between 30 and 45 year old, and still working, with same ringfield motors, nice to know they can be chipped

Absolutely brilliant video..explained simply and easy to follow. Liked the way everything set out and how to use. I have lots of older locoes, some over 30 years old, never unboxed. My new layout is DCC, and instead of selling, you have given me the confidence to DCC them. Two minor understandings,:- 1 When connecting up, which side is left and right of loco, or does it make no difference ?..Obviously all lefts together, but which is left..looking to the front or from the front, and with a diesel, which is the front ? 2 On connecting up wires, you say you connect the black to red and orange to grey, then say connect via chip, understood after watching twice. Other than that minor confusion, keep up the good work , will be subscribing for future videos.. PS How do you manage on a couple of jaffa cakes ? It's a proven fact, that once you eat one jaffa cake, you can't stop till the box is empty ..

Just watched your video on how to install a DCC decoder, and have to say I 've just completed my first DCC conversion based on this, and all's well. Well done and thanks hopefully I can go a little further now and install lights into my Class 43.cheers. . . . Dave

Your videos are really good and appreciate the time you put in,me and my son have just got into 00 gauge today and I'm going to have to dcc from non dcc ready locos. Thank you for this video

This was a great tutorial. I am awful with electronics and fine details, but this was so comprehensive that I feel like even an idiot like myself can chip my old locos.

for the next chipping video might I suggest one of the old tender driven tender locos Hornby used to make, while that would be useful for older steam locomotives it would also be beneficial for some of those with a Hornby Gordon, James, Henry etc. Thanks for this video, it was very informative.

Thanks very much for the tutorial. I happen to have an R8249 sitting next to me as my first DCC decoder. This video was a perfect explanation about the install process.

great tutorial, I shall be referring to this after I've purchased some non dcc locos from a friend

This is such a useful video, even several years after you both made it. Hope you’re well, Will.

another fantastic video good tutorial for people who are stuck on try to dcc an engine

Iam new to model railway I have a DCC layout and was very impressed in what you done but am affraid I would not be able to do what you done but I shall keep watching your videos and well done keep up the good work

Armed with the knowledge of how the chip works, this is actually a simple loco to convert. Many of the ones I have use a lot of the chassis to transfer electricity. Others like an original 1985 Thomas the tank engine use solid copper strips made in specific shapes, one of these basically transfers power directly to the motor, while the other side is on a wire, part of it conducts by being screwed to the metal chassis. I am reluctant to do it, but it would require cutting those copper strips, but that's actually one from my collection that I'm more confident could be converted. It's when you start looking at some of the even older Locomotives (I think my flying Scotsman is from 1972) where I find myself not wanting to mess with it.

hey guys. thank you so much for this video. i managed to mount a lokpilot basic 3 on a veru old bachmann union pacific loco thanks to this video.

Hornby used to make its connections inside the loco with mini spade lugs rather than solder lugs, possibly to make it easy to plug in a Zero One module (the eighties version of a DCC chip).

very nice tutorial there. looking forward to your next video :)

No worries. Just so you know I did my first decoder install with your video on the screen next to me... and it was a success, haha!

@BlurryBeaver - it depends on the controller. With the Hornby Select you hold down Select I think.

Very well presented and pritty much very easy to follow. Thanks you two for putting this together! :)

I really need one of those 'Gap Opener' tools for my Lima Class 47 as it is such a tight fit that I can't get the body shell off to re-wire it. Very good tutorial.. :)

nice one thx will and craig nice clear video will help alot of people that dont know how to chip a loco sweet stuff

Well, it depends on what you want: What scale do you model? How many locomotives would you like to run at the same time? Do you want to switch points aswell? Do you want walkaround control, maybe wireless? Do you want to involve a PC for programming or controlling? How much juce does each individual locomotive draw and how much space is in them? If you just want to try it out, you could just get a DCC train set with two locomotives and upgrade later.

Good video I have a hornby class 47 R587 it has just one brown wire going to the motor from the the far bogie.But their is a black wire on one side of the motor so I take it that its the same procedure.

lol Crewe Works, like it, assume that's what you were referring to.... I was born in Crewe :) Looking to upgrade to DCC soon so any vids like this are great. Thanks for posting!

@armleyroad - The Voyager is a huge project and won't be chipped for some time. As for the useless ratings thing, it's in the video options for any particular video.

Great timing on the vid as I have just purchased a Bachmann Dynamis to convert my layout to DCC :)

@LateNeverEarlyR - as for your comment about switching for running-in purposes, all of our locomotives are run-in in DC mode before they're converted. Again there was no need to go to the trouble of fitting a female connector as this loco will never be un-DCCed. Your solution would be very useful for somebody working on a tight budget who cannot afford a separate chip in every locomotive.

brill video, I will keep it to one side. Thanks

Tooth picks would help with the shell removal. Surprised there is one driving bogie. Odd motor design 1950s style; very good instruction.

Mega piece of electro engeering, & a tutorial perfection, very well done.

I have one of those magnifying glasses and they are just awesome even though i only used it once for holding the led bulb in place for my engine shed

@FunsterProductions - look around for them online, alternatively, they will be for sale on my IC82 website due to launch later this August. :)

Great vid, really helpful. Thanks to both of you!

@Hornby09c it will definitely do the job but a sticky pad is probably best.

A very useful video tutorial - thank you.

haha thanks for the comment, and just go for it! It's definitely best to just jump in and see how you go.

You should start a shop in Crewe that repairs locos/trains and adds DCC chips to them.

Really helpful, mate...I've got four Hornby 47s like that that would benefit from that!!! Great vid!!!!=D

Very nice loco !

Great video. Well done, guys.

Excellent! Thank you for posting this video.

@2002And - thanks! Search on Google for the gap opener tool.

great job guys. thanks for taking the time to do this video.

This is very useful because I have a lot of De engines

Great video, thank you!

Great vid. I am about to chip my old Lima Class 117 and this has really helped.

@InterCity82 Alright, that cleared up somethings. I plan on getting a train set, but when i look up all these videos, it looks a little complicated. You know with all the scales and stuff.

@jacobporrett - you mean locos? 99% of them can be chipped, yes. But some are too old or too small.

Nicely explained. Thank you.

you can get the mag nifiing glasses in lidel some times we have 2 but one broke after a hard life

@hornbyguy321 - most model shops will do it for you for a small charge. If the demand is there I might set up a service myself!

thank you i am new at this and this was perfect for me .grate stuff

@wtierce1 - A steam one is coming up soon but as for the Voyager, well that's a huge project so will be done much later in the year.

@capmodesty - thank you for the comment! I shall definitely do a video featuring a tender driven loco.

@2012Mrlego - you obviously missed the video that told everyone I was going on holiday and taking a break. New vids will commence in about 4 weeks or so.

cool vid, i followed the same concept to dcc my night mail set

@MrTrainsimfan - just watch the vid again and it will make sense. Especially if you look at your DCC chip instructions at the same time. But yes more DCC vids are on their way!

Great video. Very useful in helping me upgrade my stock. Just a quick question. If I wanted to upgrade an old dc with lights how would I go about the wiring. Would I have to change the lights to led or can the original ones be used. ? Which wires would go where. Many thanks

I can only assume this conversion to DCC would not be applicable to old N gauge, analogue motors dating back to the 1970s. No offence meant, but,seeing as this video dates back some 6 tears previously, I will not be holding my breath waiting for any kind of response anytime soon, Thanks for the superb videos you have uploaded, the one of the Blue Pullman will always remain one of my favourites....thanks and best wishes!!!!

You can in most instances remove it, yes. It serves very little purpose and what purpose it does serve, the DCC chip takes over anyway.

Jolly good jaffa cakes :) Great video man

Craig should have had M&M's or bubble gum millions! lol!

Thank you for this very useful video.

To skip the massive intro. Jump to 7:25 to get to the main part of the video

@graystrainspotter - The 221 definitely needs doing but will it will take some time!

We chopped it's head off LOL XD Hillarious. Great vids. :)

Thank you so much! I'm gonna DCC my next B12 and my current locomotives some time. :D

@mickeyC811 - sound is a lot more complex and that will be covered much later.

can you put a tts sound chip into a non dcc ready loco. Also can you please do a video on how to put the loco onto the controller, please. thanks

Very well done thanks so much for this.

@Liverpoolfcfever - about £25 to £45 - depending on where you get it.

Hello I got a train simler to this but it is the older type where the pick ups are not insolated from the motor and I have no clue how to chip this one. I did chip my little 0-4-0 using you other video.

Thanks for this, Iv'e 30 locos that need chipping, If I move DCC, seems straight forward, he say's hopefully.

Thanks a lot for this very interesting video

I would love to see you Will chip a DCC decoder into a Hornby pocket rocket, a 0-4-0. Would doing so slow the pocket rocket down? Or would I be better off chipping a Maintenance Van and wiring a harness to the pocket rocket, and maybe add a another axle for pick ups? Can a pocket rocket be tamed?

I can't remember actually but they will be for sale on the IC82 shop!

very good tutorial. I converted a dc to dcc but the trains are running slow and the decoder hums

@CoronationClass - thank you! I'll make sure one with lights is done next.

great and detaild video im buy my trains dcc fitted

@InterCity82 it would take some time, if i was you i would put the dccing the class 221, in parts like 1 then part 2 etc....

@InterCity82 it is to much work and i cant be bothered i have so many locos

Hi, can I ask what the gauge/diameter of your coloured wire is? Is it single/multi-core? Any links where you get it from and the heat shrink stuff? Thanks in advance.

Where did you source your gap opener and heat shrink tubing?

@hymek43 - 99.9% of locomotives can be converted to DCC - have you taken it to a local model shop to see what they think?

that sounds like a project I could do!

18:07 - "Open up the instructions..." We are British. We do consult instructions straight away, we do it our own way, get it wrong and THEN look at the instructions lol!