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VR Diesel Rail Car (DRC) by Trainbuilder

Updated: Jun 22


DRC 41 was in the workshops for a new LokSound V5 sound decoder installation and total re-wiring. This particular installation required:


1) ESU 58429 LokSound 5 21-MTC decoder

2) ESU 51967 Adapter board

3) ESU 54671 PowerPack Mini

4) Twin DCCSound speakers, custom designed for the Trainbuilder DRC

5) TCS 1411 6-pin 2x3 micro connector

6) ESU 51942 black wire

7) Hollywood Foundry Bull-ant pick-ups (discontinued).


The DRC prototype was fitted with Cummins prime movers that provided a deep, bassy sound. Hence well designed speakers were required to faithfully reproduce the sound in 1/87. Two speakers, one at end end, featuring 13x18mm drivers were designed for the available space. However neither speaker is visible from outside the model so the effect was successful.


3D printed custom speakers, using 13x18mm drivers wired in parallel:



Deconstructed main chassis showing passenger compartment and speakers to be fitted:


The # 2 end speaker was designed to support the ESU 21-pin adapter board and decoder. The purpose of the board is that the decoder can be easily removed from the model in the future, if the need was to arise.




The rear pickups were replaced with a custom 3D printed part that held Hollywood Foundry etched brass pickups in place. These provided better electrical pickup than the factory parts.



Following rewiring of the chassis, the passenger compartment assembly was refitted. To enhance the quality of the power system, an ESU PowerPack mini was fitted. However it would not fit in the available space due to interference with the body. So, the capacitor was wired separate from the PCB and "thrown over the wall". Neither parts were visible once the model was assembled. The LokSound V5 CVs to enable charge from the Powerpack:


Charge amount: CV113 = 64 (0...255)

Assign Powerpack control to Aux 6: CV31=16, CV32=0, CV315=0

Enable charge to the decoder: CV31=16, CV32=0, CV339=31


Once the chassis wiring was complete, a bench test presented no issues with short circuits, so work proceeded with wiring up the lights.


To enable separation of the exterior body from the chassis, TCS connectors were used. All up, 8 connections were required for full independent light control:


6 pin connector:

1) Yellow: # 1 headlight (F0f), Pin 8

2) Orange: # 2 headlight (F0r), Pin 7

3) Red: # 1 white markers (Aux 1), Pin 15

4) Black: # 2 white markers (Aux 2), Pin 14

5) Grey: # 1 end red markers (Aux 6), Decoder solder pad (powered, not logic)

6) Blue: # 2 end red markers (Aux 7), Pin 4


2 pin connector:

7) Orange: Interior lighting (Aux 5), Decoder solder pad (powered, not logic)

8) Red: Common positive, Pin # 16


If not using connectors, wiring is configured as follows:


NB, # 2 end, with decoder = with baggage door


F0f (White) = # 1 end headlight

F0r (Yellow) = # 2 end headlight

Aux 1 (green) = # 1 end white markers

Aux 2 (purple) = # 1 end red markers

Aux 3 (turquoise) = # 2 end white markers

Aux 4 (pink) = # 2 end red markers

Aux 8 (corner solder tab) = Interior lighting


470 ohm resistors were placed on the negative side of all LEDs (6, excluding interior lighting board). All joints had heatshrink applied and the finished body was as follows:



Next the model was reassembled and the couplers refitted.

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