Kato F-40 PH decoder??

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hello everyone
I just ordered a pair of the F-40PHs that Kato recently released in HO. Can anyone guide me toward a DCC decoder that will allow me to have the cab roof mounted strobes operate like the prototype. I think the strobes were a precursor to the FRA ditch lights found on the later AMD-103’s.
I remember when the F-40’s were the “state-of-the-art” locomotive for Amtrak and I’d like to replicate those flashing white strobes that were a hallmark of these locomotives.
Thanks, Ed

2

Check Tony’s Train Exchange at http://www.tonystrain.com

He has a chart showing the various decoders and locomotives into which they will fit.

3

I used a NCE D14SR.

Do be careful with this Kato model though. Mine had pins 2 & 3 shorted together on the light board which subsequently blew the first decoder I put into it. The only way I found the short was when I took the light board off and found the offending blob of solder.

Other decoder options would be the new Digitrax sound decoder which is designed as a plug in for this model. I’m thinking about putting a Soundtrax DSX decoder and using the built in sound enclosure.

Tim

4

Thanks!
I have not recieved the engines yet so I haven’t had a look under the hood but I certainly will look for any bridged traces on the board.
I’m leaning toward the new A6X from TCS… any thoughts?
Ed

5

From what I’ve seen the TCS is a decoder to replace Atlas / Genesis light boards. There will most likely be a little work to adapt the Kato motor connections to suit this decoder. To me the options with Kato are as follows:

  1. Remove the light board and hard wire a decoder in.
  2. Use a decoder with a NMRA plug - you don;t have to worry about resistors for the lights as the light board takes care of this.
    Actually TCS seem to recommend this with their site - suggest you use the D5PX from them if you wi***o use their line.
  3. The new Digitrax sound decoder will replace the light board or use their their standard Kato replacement board decoder.

I’m a big fan of hardwiring decoders and will most likely do that on future units.

Regards

Tim

6

Thanks, Tim
I have a TCS A 6 X coming that has the 1.5 v output for lights. I already modified the “light pipes” that Kato used to transmit the light to the headlights from the on board LEDs. I drilled out the strobe locations with a .051 hole and inserted micro-lamps. I also drilled the same size hole into the shortened ends of the clear styrene light pipes for the front and rear headlights and I will hard wire the board when it arrives tomorrow.
I’ll let you know the results.
I’m anxious to see the double-blink strobes in action!
Ed

7

I see in MR that Digitrax is advertizing a decoder to Plug n play for the Kato F40ph…with sound!..don’t know about strobes…Tom

8

Thanks for your help! I have the A6X decoder installed and used several of the output pads for the number boards, back-up light and the strobes using 1.5v microlamps. I used a 12v lamp for the headlight.
I have to tweak the CVs to get the functions just right since I’m using JMRI to program this loco and the A6X isn’t fully supported by JMRI (yet).
I DID get the roof strobes to pulse realistically and that was what I was after in the first place! It also looks neat to have a separate lamp for the number boards so they stay lit even with the headlight off!
Looks A-OK to me!

9

Well I just pulled the shell of my F40 off and installed a Soundtraxx DSX decoder with a 1.1" speaker into the supplied speaker enclosure. Works great. I had to set it up so I could disconnect either decoder for programming but there is heaps of space in this loco.

Set it with an address of 391 on the main drive D14SR, a long address of 0091 on the DSX and both decoders with a consist address of 91.

Will give it a test this weekend on the club layout to see how it goes with the Digitrax system down there.

Tim