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Many people have been disappointed that there was no way to use HM7000 decoders in a new tooled Bachmann model, with a plux22 socket. We have found a way to use a next18 decoder using a plux16 adapter. You might lose some lighting functions, as you only have access to directional lights and aux1 and aux2. You also need to be mindful of the speaker impedance. You must only use an 8 ohm speaker, if your model has two built in speakers, one has to be removed before you fit the decoder. Don't use any additional speakers unless you remove all the...

These models are quite easy to fit sound to, using the next18 decoder and built in speaker, but I made some further improvements to the model to improve the sound and performance.  Start by pulling off the black battery box covers, and remove the screw at each side, and pull the pipe out near the front steps, which runs to the front lights or it will get damaged. Use a prising tool to help get the body off, there are clips at the front and rear, the whole lot lifts off, including the cab. If you want to keep the...

If you are buying speakers to upgrade the sound in your models we have a few methods we recommend. And one we definitely don't! The easiest way is to join your speaker wires to the existing brown wires on your decoder. If your new speaker has red and black wires, it doesn't matter which way round they go. Insulate the joint with kapton tape or heat shrink, both available from our website on their own or as part of a decoder fitting it. Another safe method is to not connect the speaker to the decoder but to use the speaker...

  The Bachmann class 40 comes with two built in sugarcube speakers making it very easy to fit sound to, but you may want to upgrade those to something better. Here's how we did ours. Start by removing the 8 screws that hold the body. Theres 2 under each nose, and 4 more central ones. Once the body is off you'll see the 2 speakers. To remove them, unscrew the PCB and remove the screws that hold the speakers from underneath it. You'll be left with a flat space, with some brass pads which can be soldered to. We used...

I have made a video, explaining how to remove the body and fit sound to this model. Find the sound decoder here Find the speaker on it's own here