#28 Heljan's Class 07 Shunter: Body Removal & DCC Fitting (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this mini-series examining Heljan's hotly-anticipated Class 07 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunter, we move on to removing the body and fitting a 6-pin DCC decoder.

Body removal involves the disengagement of some handrails and can be quite fiddly. On the version 2 variant with dual braking, additional brake pipes must be removed, and that can easily result in chipped paint.

It must be stressed that it is very easy to damage the model whilst removing the body, so please only do so if you're confident that you can do it well and that you have set aside good time to do it - don't rush!

Despite the finicky nature of the DCC installation process, it's still a wonderful model with some fabulous detailing and a decent (yet a little noisy) motor. The directional lighting is better than on Heljan's Class 05, but still fairly dim.

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Video contents:

00:18 Quick introduction
00:54 Body removal
07:45 DCC decoder installation
13:05 Body replacement
16:30 A run of the rolling road

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You can buy some of the consumables used in this project video via these Amazon affiliate links:

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Thank you very much for watching.

Please comment, like, share and subscribe!

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Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility.

[goingthedogs]

Hi, A bit late to the party on this.
I wanted to thank you for your video as it was really useful, thank you.
My class 07 is now fully chipped up complete with driver!

[randalwilliams]

David.

This is quite fascinating - I have watched it 3 times already. We all benefit from your attention to detail.

Clearly there is a lot of work involved, but you also show how beneficial the chip is in the operation of this fine loco.

My choice will be the Green "D" numbered variant, as that is the period I model. This has to be on any serious layout, to people the local traffic movements and train formation, along with 03's, 05's and various other locos employed in such roles - even class 14's, if they could be kept running for any length of time.

Well done and keep up the good work.

We make less mistakes ourselves, following any that you make in your honest portrayal of you efforts.

Regards,

Randal Williams

[albertoubaldi]

Fab video ! doing the dcc install was hard enough but maintaining a sense of humour was, I suspect even harder so well done for that too !

[unvoffunv]

Very Informative, definitely going to get one. Thank you Sir!

[SimonLivertonCentral]

Another exceptional “how to” video David, very similar to my Oxford Rail GV2012 Janus and Heljan Class17 when I upgraded them to dcc…Simon

[bigfella]

Great informative video.
Very detailed and good looking loco, with some great liveries.
Pity about the difficulties in chip fitting, ordered off various retailers who have refused to supply DCC fitted. .
And with the size of my hands, I don't stand a chance..
x The Bigfella x

[letzterinstanz]

Two truly excellent videos for a lovely model. Many thanks for such clarity of description. Will certainly be using all of the tips here when fitting

[TheGarlee]

Very interesting and informative video. The crank at the front of the driving wheels is an oil lubricator as was seen on the steam locomotive classes Bullied Q1as well . Looking at getting the same model as you have and you have provided a great deal of information for me . Many thanks

[kirktonroadjunction]

I see what you mean by fiddly pipework, best buying myself a small pot of white paint then... Thanks for showing how to do this, you've probably saved me from trying to remove the wrong pipes lol

[ianfriend]

Following your excellent video I have put a DCC chip in mine. With the version one there are only two handrails to relocate in there holes.

[georgewyatt]

Hi two great video's on "how to" it looks a fantastic little shunting loco but boy it does look fiddle to get into, but thanks for your excellent description. Regards George..

[tulyar]

A good video of a much requested prototype. Do the included instructions point out which pipes to remove before removing the body?

Hello there, I bought 2x Heljan class 07s, on your recommendation, and decided to DCC chip them. I noticed even Hattons recommend the Gauge Master 6 pin decoder and not theirs for the Heljan class 07s; this puzzles me because you put the Hattons 6 pin decoder in the Heljan class 05. So why didn't you put the Hattons 6 pin in the class 07???? I have a Z21 system and want some consistency and not a hodg-podg of decoders, so I have decided to put the Hattons decoders in all of my locomotives, now this isn't a cheap exercise DCC decoders for 30 locomotives requires budgeting. So to get some insight I thought I would ask the experts and watch their videos, yours are thorough and explained well, and I enjoy them. Is this the right thing to do? On F.B the groups I am part of have differing views on decoders but as a middle of the road decoder I thought Hattons was a good do you think?? Ant advice is welcome. Cheers hope hope you are feeling well.

[mickedgeleyparkstation]

Can you fit a stay alive to the 6 pin decoder, thanks.

[TBone-bzmp]

I think the forward crank is a lubricator pump, could be wrong though

Hi David I have been watching your Heljan DCC conversions with interest because I have decided to buy a couple of 07s and a 05 for my steel mill or cement works; not sure for which yet. I was wondering however, if you have DCCed a Heljan class 17? I like this locomotive and since my wife wants DCC I thought I would ask, I am looking at getting one. I also need your shop site address because I need to get some of your CD motor conversion kits. Cheers Keep up the good work. Guy

[heaptoncollierymodelrailwa]

Hi mate
Interesting video, really enjoying your videos reviews and 'how to's'.
Great idea to have two cameras set up...can't quite afford to do that at the moment for my channel
Cheers
OR

[medwaypeninsulaMR]

I cannot understand why manufacturers make it so difficult to install a decoder which a lot of owners would want to do.

[timsytanker]

So where would a sound decoder and a speaker fit?

[DungeWoodRailway]

Great video. Im impressed with this model but its not for the faint hearted, impatient or saussge fingered people (sorry) I wish I could afford another in Rail blue livery. Cheers