Kato Class 800 DCC Sound Installation - Motor Standard (MS)

Mistakes may damage your locomotive, controller or other accessories. Use a multimeter to make absolutely sure you have completely isolated the motor from the track before testing. Always use the Programming Track for testing. Our guides are provided for reference only, and you proceed entirely at your own risk. Unsure about something - try our DCC Conversion Service instead.

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This guide shows how to install DCC sound into the centre motorized car (designation 'MS') of the Kato N Gauge Class 800 models, including:

• Class 800/0 800021 in GWR Green (5-car set) (10-1671)
• Class 800/0 800010 'Michael Bond' in GWR Green with Paddington Bear branding (5-car set) (10-1673)
• Class 800/2 800209 in LNER white/red (5-car set) (10-1674)
• Class 800/1 800113 in LNER white/red (9-car set) (10-1675)

It is possible to fit a speaker and an ESU LokSound 5 DCC Sound decoder in the motorized centre car. Note that some YouTube videos (e.g. Flint Hills) incorrectly state that the speaker fits without modification. This is not the case, if you do not remove part of the interior then the body will not clip back on correctly.

The standard formation of the five-car LNER and GWR Class 800s is: DPTS-MS-MS-MC-DPTF. This guide shows how to install sound in the centre 'motor standard' (MS) car, which in the Kato model is the motorized one. It is also possible to install sound in the driving cars at either end of the train, i.e. the DPTS (standard class end) or DPTF (first class end). Having three speakers per five car set gives an amazingly realistic effect. The nine-car LNER set really benefits from the additional speakers.

This guide assumes you have already purchased an ESU LokSound 5 DCC Sound decoder with a Class 800 sound file (e.g. Legomanbiffo) loaded onto it.

Step 1 - Install Decoder

Unclip the body from the centre coach, then the underfloor component. Push the ESU LokSound 5 decoder in place, so it sits correctly between the rail pickup strips and the motor contacts. Route the speaker wires up into the coach interior through the provided notches in the plastic. Re-fit the underfloor component.

Step 2 - Create Space For Speaker

Remove the last set of seating / partition with a craft knife. If done correctly, this modification won't be visible through the windows.

Step 3 - Connect Speaker

Fix the speaker so that it does not extend past the end of the floor section. The light diffuser should still sit flush once the speaker is fitted, if it doesn't then remove more plastic using your craft knife until it does.

If you wish, add some plasticard underneath the speaker to support the overhanging end. Once happy with the speaker's location, route the wires through the interior, optionally secure every couple of rows of seats with glue. The wires won't be visible through the windows if routed low down as shown in the photos.

Step 4 - Reassemble

Re-fit the lightbar diffuser, and clip the body back on.

Step 5 - Test

Put the coach on your programming track, and attempt to read the loco ID. Once that comes back, go into 'test drive' mode and make sure you can drive the coach forwards and backwards. If all is well, press F1 to test the sounds.

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