How To DCC Fit A Hornby J94 Austerity - Model Railway Tutorial

A model railway tutorial on how to DCC fit a Hornby J94 Austerity.
As many of you know by now I have a real soft spot for the classic Hornby J94 / Austerity tank engine. It's definitely a older model now but because of the simplicity of the prototype it holds up fairly well and is still in the Hornby range today.
The one major disadvantage is that these older models don't have a decoder socket for running them on DCC. Luckily hardwiring a decoder into these engines isn't too difficult and in this tutorial I'll walk you through the entire process from start to finish. If you're thinking about moving over to DCC but don't want to leave the humble Hornby J94 Austerity behind then this is video for you.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:00 - Dismantling The Hornby J94
00:00 - Preparing The DCC Decoder
00:00 - Hardwiring The DCC Decoder
00:00 - Hornby J94 DCC Test
00:00 - Reassembling The Body
00:00 - The Final Result!
Thanks for watching!

[@PrinceStreet]

Just a fantastic tutorial. I have one of these that’s still an analog model. As you note it’s just a wonderful running model. I’m not sure why I’ve never opened it up but look at all that space inside the model not just for a decoder but also for a speaker and keep alive. Thanks for this video.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Stay tuned, I may have a sound fitting video on this model coming soon! Thanks for watching 😃

[@adam_fordham]

Very helpful video, I've never known how to hard wire a decoder into an older loco but it looks simple enough and your tutorial really does help, thank you 😀

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure Adam! Yes, while this tutorial was aimed at fitting a decoder to the Hornby J94, the basic steps apply to any loco without a decoder socket really. It can seem a bit scary at first but actually it's not too bad as long as you're careful with the soldering iron. Thanks for watching 😃

[@davephyllosc625]

A really useful tutorial, well explained and with great production values. Thanks for sharing.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure, glad you found it helpful! I actually have plans to make more videos similar to this in the future. Thanks for watching 😃

[@paulisnotonfire]

While I don't/won't be converting to DCC any time soon, this was helpful for taking apart my Dapol J94 for a long over due service. Cheers

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, really good to know it's still useful even to those not concerned with DCC! Thanks for watching 😃

[@speleokeir]

Yet again a very clear, concise and easy to follow 'How to' video. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Very glad you found it easy to follow! It always bugs me when tutorials go on for ages and don't show the process clearly enough, so I definitely try to avoid that with my own videos 😆 Thanks for watching 👍

[@SouthDown]

Another fantastic tutorial. I admire your bravery for performing this level of surgery on a model! Thank you for sharing!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. It looks a bit scary the first time you do it but all it is really is soldering 4 wires to the loco. I agree though you do have to build yourself up a bit to put a soldering iron that close to a plastic loco! Thanks for watching 😃

[@lewiscartwright3609]

Hi I got a Hornby Duchess of Sutherland and a Hornby Burton Hall and I had to take the Hall to be repaired and I should get it back by next Saturday also I bought a mainline Gwr 78xx Manor class No.7823 Hook Norton Manor and a Lima 0-4-0 Diesel shunter which I would like to name "Goliath" or "Bear" or I May name her little but Powerful because it may be small but It pulled a Brake van two Open wagons three Box vans and a mineral wagon and a cattle wagon and a tanker and then another Brake van at the end but I might call her Armistice Day also I thoroughly enjoyed watching the video keep up the informative and inspiring videos. Cheers.Lewis. 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Sounds great 👍 Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching 😃

[@lewiscartwright3609]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy My pleasure and I agree. Cheers.Lewis

[@tagsdm]

Great job, That Model Railway Guy. The end result is certainly worth the effort as the running qualities of the little loco seem excellent. Everything we dreamed of 40 years ago!!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yeah the Hornby J94 Austerities have always been fantastic runners and out perform even some modern models! That’s one of the main reasons I was so keen to keep running them on the DCC layout. Thanks for watching 😃

[@a.r.productions]

Concise, precise and no waffle! Hence why I believe this channel is going to be a great success! Very informative video Sir :D

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thank you, that's really great to hear. I had seen a few other videos on hardwiring locos before but I did feel some of them could be clearer and show things in more detail, which is why I had a go at it myself. Good to know it was worthwhile! Thanks for watching 😃

[@mandbhomestead]

Excellent video on installing the decoder. Love the shunter loco’s. Thanks for sharing, stay safe. Ken

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Ken! Yeah they are lovely locos and hardwiring them for DCC isn't too difficult so I really had no reason not too. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching 😃

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Good to see a decoder installation on a HORNBY J94!! I have two of them and want both of them to be used in the future.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, well I hope you find this video useful. It's certainly not as tricky as it used to be now that decoders are much smaller and you don't have to hack part of the weight off! Thanks for watching 😃

[@nigelcole1936]

I actually bought a Hornby J94 as a result of seeing you running yours. Fortunately it had been converted to DCC but thanks to you and your great video I will know what to do when I buy another.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Ah fantastic, for older models they are fantastic runners in my opinion so I hope you're just as happy with yours. Great that you lucked out with getting one that was already DCC fitted too! Thanks for watching 😃

[@theenigmaticgamer]

Thanks for a very informative video. I have always been nervous of converting a loco to DCC, but you have explained the process so clearly that I think I'll be giving it a try. Especially the with the way loco prices have been rocketing of late. Thanks again. Keith

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure Keith! Yeah it does always seem a bit scary until you see someone else do it. Even then it takes doing it a few times before you really feel comfortable with it but I’m glad this has given you a bit of confidence to try it for yourself. Thanks for watching 😃

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video mate. I have done the same thing to a Hornby Railroad 0-4-0 locomotive I was quite surprised with how simple it actually was! You have done a great job their so well done.- Nicholas.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Nicholas, yeah once you get your head around the basic steps it's not too bad at all. I'm actually doing the same thing to a Railroad 0-4-0 next week for another project that will appear soon 🤫 Thanks for watching 👍

[@mikeshikes587]

Great video and really helped me out. Never hard wired a decoder but followed your procedure on one of my J94’s and it works a treat. I used a Guagemaster DCC92 Ruby. The wiring in the loco is white/black as it’s an old Dapol. Runs great. Just waiting for another decoder for my other J94......cheers

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, really glad to hear this video worked as a guide for you and it all went well! Great that the DCC92 Ruby works well too. I've wanted to try one for a while but they're always out of stock when look. Best of luck with your other J94 and thanks for watching 😃

[@railway187]

Good tutorial 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! 😃

[@rvsjimbo]

Thanks very much for a very helpful video. I used heatshrink tubing instead of insulation tape around the joints, and I also shortened the decoder leads a bit. I've left the lighting leads in, just in case we add lighting in the future. We used a TCS M1 decoder.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad to hear this was helpful. Yep heatshrink works just as well too, I think the only reason I went with insulation tape was because I had it to hand! I'm potentially looking at doing a follow up to this video where I fit sound as well. Thanks for watching 😃

[@rvsjimbo]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Look forward to that!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

It’s good to see how the DCC decoder gets fitted to a small tank locomotive!! The two I use most are both Southern locomotives, an Adams Radial and a Beattie Well Tank. Hopefully, this video will teach me how to install a decoder into a small tank locomotive.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey there, yeah while this tutorial is based around the Hornby J94 the process of hardwiring a decoder into any older locos should be pretty similar. Thanks for watching 😃

[@H_chapman17]

Great video, I've just serviced my j94 which was made around 20 years ago, shame its getting out dated but still a good loco. Many thanks Harry

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it Harry! It is a little outdated but certainly not as bad as some of Hornby's other models. The J94 Austerities were relatively simple locos anyway so the lack of detail doesn't really show up too much when it's next to more modern models - in my opinion at least. Thanks for watching 😃

[@sodorislandstudios]

SUPER helpful thank you so much! Also checked in on it and you dont need to remove the forward screw on the chassis.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome! Really glad to hear you found this tutorial useful - and good to know about that screw too. Thanks for watching 😃

[@sodorislandstudios]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Of course thanks!

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Excellent "how to" as usual 👍. Can I make a suggestion? Instead of cutting off the redundant wires, you carefully remove them from their respective solder pads on the decoder? Saves having to insulate them or worry about them shorting. 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Definitely a valid point. This was aimed more at beginners though who may not be used to hardwiring older locos, so cutting the wires was an easier option to avoid accidental damage to the decoder. Thanks for watching 😃

[@PhilipBallGarry]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Good point well said 👍

[@worthingtonmodelrailway8628]

Great Video - I’ve done a few this looks easier than most! I was always under the impression that wrapping a decoder in electrical tape was not good practice (heat). I always try to secure the decoder with black tac and if I need to isolate the decoder from an area on the loco may use a electrical tape on the loco body as a solution.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I've heard that too although I've never had one overheat. Some of the other Zimo decoders I use actually come with a thick plastic insulation sleeve already in place so if that's ok, a thin bit of insulation tape shouldn't be much of a problem. It may be that other decoder brands are different though and the Zimos are just less likely to overheat. Another potential solution is to use Kapton tape which I have used in an upcoming video but in this instance I just wanted to keep things simple for those who were most likely hardwiring their first loco. Thanks for watching 😃

[@derekmulready1523]

A tip from an old fitter, buy a magnetic bowl from the likes of "Halfords" and put all metal parts safely into it. Just saves hour's looking on thickpile carpet. 🇮🇪🇪🇺

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Brilliant idea Derek! Like I said in the video, I was just putting them inside the little plastic tray the decoder was packaged in but I'm definitely going to have to give this a go in the future. Thanks for watching 😃

[@rohanhalle580]

I am pleasantly surprised at the size of the motor inside the Austerity. I never knew such small motors could be so well performing.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yep and I think it's only a 3 pole motor as well, so just shows a combination of that and decent gearing can make a loco run really well. It does make me wonder why we get a bit obsessed over 5 pole and coreless motors when this mechanism does well and hasn't changed much since the 90s 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@PhilipMorey-dm6wh]

Great video. Have you got any hints for those engines that have a beige capacitor fitted. I have struggled to find consistent information as to whether they can be removed. I even have one engine with 2 capacitors!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Usually they’re TV Suppression capacitors. You don’t need them on DCC since the decoder takes care of that but it doesn’t matter if you leave them in or take them out. I tend to leave them unless it’s really tight for space - or occasionally if the loco behaves erratically it can sometimes help to remove them in that instance too. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@tang622]

Great video as usual! I'm looking to hardwire a sound decoder to one of my old locos. I get that the orange, grey, red and black wires are needed, but do you know which wires we need to use for sound? Thanks!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, usually they are two wires positioned away from the main wiring loom so are pretty obvious. The colour differs between manufacturers though, Zimo use two Purple wires and ESU/Loksound have 2 black wires... I can't remember for other brands specifically but generally they tend to come with some sort of documentation anyway. I'm also hoping to do tutorials videos on sound fitting various locos very soon so stay tuned for that. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 🤩

[@tang622]

Thanks! I’m trying to hardwire a HM7000 so just trying to work out if you need separate wires to the ones in the speaker plug. First time doing it so trying not to blow it! A video on sound fitting various locos sounds great!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

AH! If you're using HM7000 then the decoder has a socket for the speaker to plug into. The decoders also come with a pre-wired speaker ready to plug in so should be nice and easy 👍

[@tang622]

Thanks, I gave it a shot and working well!!! Will add a stay alive at some point. Thanks again!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

@@tang622 Fantastic, glad to hear that! Well done👍

[@okrdrake4196]

Hey that model railway guy do you have any suggestions on where to find a J94 NO.22 in OO it’s mine and my mums favourite livery of the J94 annoyingly hornby doesn’t do NO.22 anymore

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, your best bet is to keep an eye out on eBay in my experience as one may pop up there at some point. Also check out some of the model shops that have secondhand and preowned sections like Rails Of Sheffield or TMC as you never know what they might have in stock. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 🤩

[@haphappy266]

Would a Hornsby 8 pin decoder work I know they suck but I got a select and just realised it’s on the only firmware so don’t work with other decoders

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

In theory yes, the hardwiring process would be the same. The issue would be whether the decoder would physically fit in the space beneath the weight - as I don't have one to hand I'm afraid I can't give you a definitive answer. I would also say though that the Hornby Select does work with some other brands of decoders. Obviously Hornby want you to buy their decoders so they don't really publicise this fact, nor which decoders definitely do/don't work. Just something to consider. Thanks for watching 😃

[@haphappy266]

Thx so much love ur vids

[@DifferentSaturner]

I'm happy to find your channel. YT promoted your channel. See today's 'explore' page.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, I'm very happy you found the channel too! Yes I got a notification about the Explore tab this morning. Things have certainly been blowing up, which is great! Hope you enjoy the videos and thanks for watching 😃

[@DifferentSaturner]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy This is one way I'm finding some good channels, worth subscribing to & watching. Yeah, I liked videos from you. You've got a fan! Thanks.