Athearn F59 DCC install using ESU LokPilot Direct Micro

[ryan_wilkerson]

My son purchased (at a train show) an Athearn F59 along with 3 passenger cars in the Coaster scheme. He's been asking me to install DCC into it so I after some research, it wasn't going to be a drop in. This is the first version, not the more recent one that has DCC+Sound options.
I had purchased a few of the ESU LokPilot Direct Micro and thought I'd see how it lined up with the chassis.
Surprisingly it had a nice place to sit without having to modify the mechanism. The decoder IS mounted backwards (front is back, back is front) so I needed to change the CV for the direction of travel. I'll be doing lighting separately in the future so the cab doesn't light up, just the headlights and ditchlights.
I removed the stock DC lightboard along with the brass strips. Since the power is routed very closely to the motor tabs, I wrapped them in kapton tape.
I'm not the greatest installer so it isn't as beautiful as some but it wasn't too much work and my son is happy!
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[RBrodzinsky]

Way to go Ryan! Now that you have had a taste, there is no going back.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Well purchased the last of the cheap non-sound Direct-Micro to put in my remaining decoder-less locos. They are mostly Atlas so there is some milling in my future

[tehachapifan]

Did you have to remove the cab interior detail piece for this decoder to fit? I was just looking at mine (also from the first release) and it appears this piece would have to come out. No?

[ryan_wilkerson]

Yes, I had to remove that piece. I forgot to mention that.
I plan to use LEDs at each light location (and disable the onboard).

[tehachapifan]

Ok, thanks for clarifying that.