Older Kato SD 40-2 Question

[jaretos]

I have an opportunity to get a Kato SD 40-2 in CNW markings.  I believe these to be non-dcc friendly compared to the newer releases.  How would I be able to verify this and if so, how difficult would a decoder install be?  I have attempted to search on the Kato website to no avail.

Thanks

John

[Ali Kenneth]

John,

I have never had an issue with the older Kato SD40-2 locos and DCC, the Digitrax DN163K1B is designed to fit them. I have a couple of NS examples from the same era and installation was as easy as it comes.

Since Kato started to re-release all their existing models in various hues of BNSF colours they have taken the previous listings of old, out of production models off the website. I would recommend getting a copy of the Kato Parts Catalogue from their Parts store,(if you can get one) has a full? listing of their old models and the parts that correspond.

Hope that helps

Alasdair

[kiwi_al]

The Parts catalogue only lists prior to 2002 - has the early and snoot variations of the SD40-2. ;D

[bobcat]

All SD40-2s are DCC ready, earliest versions to latest releases.

The older SD40s were not. That might be were any confusion comes from.

[jaretos]

Thanks for the clarification, I just received an email that they were in fact dcc ready!  I am very fired up, I picked up two of them, as I needed them for my roster!  I appreciate the help as always.

John

[u18b]

I prefer TCS decoders.

Here is how to place a TCS hard wired decoder in an early run Kato SD40-2.

It is pretty easy.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/pdf/N_Kato_SD40-2_Early_M1.pdf
(the is a 1.5 meg file)

Ron Bearden

[sundowner]

Same decoder use on most Kato's six axle unit DN163K1b or the one for the newer SD40-2 DN163K1c works as well. Takes about 2 minutes.

[Norm P]

Does it take two minutes even if like me you're completely ignorant about taking the body off the frame, much less installing decoders?  Last week I picked up a BN SD40-2 (to be turned into a FURX rent-a-wreck) and the digitrax decoder, but i don't know anything at all about installing decoders.