N Scale Decoder Install Kato SDP40F with a Digitrax DN163K4A

[@melkitson]

This is a really comprehensive video with lovely clear explanations. Thank you.

[@N-Scale]

Thanks , once again !!

[@fredrickmiller5165]

I just installed one in the Amtrak unit. Thanks for showing how to get the shell off. On mine all the interior parts fell out of the shell. Luckily I found them all, the light bars are hard to see on the bench. Also the front walkway falls off. Now I have 3 Santa Fes to do as soon as the decoder backorders are filled.

[@N-Scale]

Glad you got it !

[@sounddude177]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! There's no way I could have figured this out on my own. Most Kato's are pop off - pop on. Not so this time. I felt like I had a mentor looking over my shoulder the whole time. Now I have a beautiful Maersk loco ready to pull some MAXI-I Gundersons full of containers. Great tip with the double sided foam tape, Makes it all nice and snug. It even worked first time! Keep up the great work - your videos are a treasure trove of knowledge!

[@N-Scale]

Thanks so much Brother !!!

[@andyrbush]

You clearly went to a lot of trouble to get that video right. Best demonstration I have seen, thank you.

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Andy. Mike

[@BritishRail60062]

Thanks for this helpful video. I will be invested in one of these models and I now have the confidence to fit DCC into the Amtrak model I am getting :).

[@N-Scale]

Thanks so much !!

[@dacuzzz]

awesome tutorial mike... beautiful locomotive.. thanks for sharing.. vinny

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Vinny , Mike

[@danagibbs3265]

One thing I dislike about Kato trains is that they often have off-colored parts like you mentioned. I just got the Maersk version of this engine and the front plow is a slightly lighter blue. On my SF SD40-2 it's the same as the engine in this video with lighter blue horns and front plow. It seems like it's molded from different plastic and they just can't match the color for some reason, but other colors look fine. Thanks for the video though, I'm about to install a decoder in my SDP40F and this was a great help

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Dana

[@adventuresinmodelrailroading]

I would suggest instead of taking the handrails off, just free the lower ends and swing them up and out of the way. I did wish I had found this video sooner. I did two of these units and the 1st literally too 2 hours to free the hood & the second took an hour and a half. I used business cards between the lock and the chassis as I freed the locks.

[@N-Scale]

I remove the rails because if I do not I usually will lose them. Mike

[@RWSBaden]

Mike, thank you for the excellent install video. The part in your video that made me very nervous was removing the body from the frame. With the amount you have to flex the shell, to release the latch, I'm afraid of cracking the shell or nicking it with the knife. Would it be possible to use several pieces of .005 plastic to pop each latching point on the body, so you do not have to flex the body shell?

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

You need to flex the shell open , no mater how you do it and the shells are much tougher than you think. Thanks , Mike

[@SGTGhost]

great video Mike, i enjoyed the video and I find this video very useful information

[@N-Scale]

Thank You sir, Hope it helps. Mike

[@pongignacio6705]

mike, maraming salamat , this means thank you very much- pong ignacio from the philippines

[@N-Scale]

Thank You Pong

[@pongignacio6705]

mike, do have a video on track cleaning locomotive or track cleaning rolling stock? or how do you clean your track and how often do clean your tracks?

[@N-Scale]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIeZmIihgdigZs0 Thanks , Mike

[@craiglordable]

Helpful, if I ever get round to upgrading.

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

You just need to make up your mind. Not for everyone though. Thanks , Mike

[@roymaynard1205]

Another great video Mike. Your close ups are amazing . Are you still using that Sony camera?

[@N-Scale]

Thanks and Yes Sir . Sony Handicam CX230 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Mike & Robin

[@TrashMan2008]

Mike were those decals of Number boards that we seen on your work bench?

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

Nope they were actually HO automobile Licence Plates. Thanks , Mike

[@BaronvonBavert]

Thank you for showing.

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

Thanks for taking a look Harald. Mike

[@DamonGaskin]

Hi Mike, I know this is an old video, but I picked up one of these locomotives a while ago. I kept the stick decoder in, and all of a sudden, it will move for a little bit and then stop(it had been running great for months), and if I tap it(found out by accident), it will do the same over and over. So my question is, why did you go with the digi decoder over stock, and after this video, I'm wondering if my decoder has, as you mentioned slipped and loosened on the chassis? I could use your advice if you have any ideas. Thanks for the great video, and I'm subscribed..

[@N-Scale]

I would almost bet it has slipped and making intermittent contact. Mike

[@dirkheuen2323]

hey mike good job this video, but i hae a problem. i use a rocco z21 to control the locos. the cv29 is for setting the standard-direction or the loco. what is your setting on cv29.

[@N-Scale]

I have no idea, I use the JMRI software and it simply asks you normal direction of travel. You may need to search Rocco, whoever they are. Thanks , Mike

[@johncanillas8939]

What would be the best sound decoder for this model?

[@N-Scale]

I have no idea , as I do not like sound, but it would likely take milling as space is really limited inside. Mike

[@johncanillas8939]

Okay, thanks though Mike.

[@ronnied9330]

Hey Uncle Mike I got a Challenge or a can Do for us Little Followers that follow your channel, Can you Install in say the MAERSK SDP40F one of those Lok Sound.. Sound Decoders I've been wanting to See this on the Tube and I want see it Done Correctly which I know you can Do it.. When you Do an install it's Done the Right Way.. Can't wait to see it Running on that Great Layout of yours... Take Care, Allen akr3985fan.

[@N-Scale]

Sorry Ron , I do not do any custom sound installs. Mike

[@billvassar7473]

I would paint the plows dark blue to mach.

[@N-Scale]

I have done that and I have seen them black as well. Thanks Bill, Mike

[@colnagocowboy]

so, save a few old dull blades.

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

For Sure, Mike

[@IMRROcom]

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