KATO DCC Project

Modeling Tips & Lessons Learned

By Frank Benenati

A friend needed help installing a DCC decoder and keep alive in an HO scale Kato EMD NW2 switcher they plan to repaint. Given the cost of a TCS (Train Control Systems) M1 small form factor decoder, a TCS KeepAlive, and taking into account the Kato design, shown below, a new or used switcher with factory installed DCC, sound, and keep-alive might have been a better option. The split metal frame would require time consuming milling to fit even the smallest of decoders, plus electrical isolation of the motor from the shell.

We were about to “scrap the project” until I discovered a Lenz Digital Plus Silver decoder in my electronic parts bin. It had previously been installed in an HOn3 steam locomotive and later in an HO Alco RS3. Most importantly, the decoder added no out-of-pocket cost to the project. The downside, it was larger than the TCS M1 and therefore require a larger pocket (more cutting, grinding, and filing). Several wire leads also needed to be replaced and soldered onto the decoder board.

Before I plugged in my Dremel and changed the blade in my hacksaw, I thought it best to test the recycled decoder and my soldering skills.

Modeling Tip

To test, I attached the decoder red and black wires to a Sprog II and the orange and grey wires to a test track. After placing the NW2 on the test track, I used DecoderPro to reprogram the decoder and check the Kato for gear noise, running smoothness, and switching potential. End result, the Kato design lived up to it’s reputation and ran extremely well. We decided to install the Lenz decoder and forego adding a keep alive.

Cutting the decoder pocket, below, in the top of the shell was time consuming.

Installation was a success. A smooth running switcher, limited conversion cost, and a happy friend.

Lesson Learned

While I most likely would not volunteer to do another Kato NW2 conversion, I am looking forward to a crab cake lunch and running this rebuilt NW2 on their model railroad.

If you decide to take on a Kato NW2 conversion, TCS provides detailed instructions for installing their M1 decoder here:<https://drupal.tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1358>.

Business Meeting; 19 May

The May meeting will be hosted by Jay Beckham who lives near Berkeley Springs, WV, on Sunday, 19 May starting at 2:00 PM. Please remember that this meeting is taking place on the third Sunday of the month, as opposed to the normal second Sunday, due to the Mother’s Day holiday.

Déjà vu. When Jay first started a layout in his current location he was modeling the Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend Railroad in the 1960’s but later changed to the PRR theme.When you arrive at Jay’s location you will see that he is again modeling the South Shore. <https://jaysoscalelayout.blogspot.com>

Jay writes, “My new layout concept is to model in O scale the Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend Railroad in the 60s, the time I first saw it in person. I have always had an interest in traction, and interurbans in particular. It was the railroad I modeled when we first moved into this house. I am trying to use as much of the old layout as possible as far as track design but a mid-western railroad is certainly different from the PRR that I was modeling. We have redesigned the CTC to suit the South Shore. Trying to use as many of my many buildings, most of which were scratch built. Also have corrected most of the track to a 60” minimum radius and from #5 to #6 or larger turnouts.”

He says that he hopes to have trains running, by the time of the meeting, partly through some of the old scenery and maybe some of the new.

Following the business meeting Jay will present an overview of the prototype Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend Railroad. This line has an interesting history and parts of it are still in regular use today as a commuter line.

Email southmountaindiv@gmail.com and we will provide the street address. -Ed

Election of Officers

We will be “electing” the division officers at the May meeting.

The candidates are as follows:

Superintendent (president) – Bob Johnson
Clerk (secretary) – Alex Polimeni
Paymaster (treasurer) – Ray Price

These are the only elected positions in the Division. There are numerous other unofficial positions (see listing at end of Wheel Report).

Please note that I have already announced that I will not serve again for the 2025 / 2026 program year, and Alex has stepped up to serve as Clerk, simply because no one else has volunteered. If we cannot get some new candidates for officers for the 2025 / 2026 we will be forced to declare the Division inactive.

From the Desk of the Superintendant

From Superintendent Bob Johnson…

Mini-Con 2024

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the annual SMD Mini-Con at Blue Ridge Summit in April. In my opinion the event ran very smoothly. A special shoutout to Grant Berry for again taking the lead on this ever-popular event.

Bob Johnson looks at a locomotive at his brass loco tuneup table.

John Pursell, D.M.A. talking about improving structures.

Dave Thalman talks about basic scenery forms.

Frank Benenati talks about making wire tree armatures for dioramas and detail scenes.

Ken Mazer talks about fast tracks turnouts.

This year’s attendance was just about the same as last year. We still have not returned to the kind of numbers that we were seeing before the great COVID lock-down but those that attended seemed to be having a good time. Assuming we hold the event again next year I have some ideas for increasing the pre-event publicity that may help attendance.

Election of Officers

We will be “electing” the division officers at the May meeting.

The candidates are as follows:

Superintendent (president) – Bob Johnson
Clerk (secretary) – Alex Polimeni
Paymaster (treasurer) – Ray Price

These are the only elected positions in the Division. There are numerous other unofficial positions (see listing at end of the Wheel Report).

Summer Activity Planning

At a previous meeting we discussed the possibility of setting up a group trip on the Western Maryland Scenic out of Cumberland. The big draw there is of course C&O engine 1309. Unfortunately, I have been informed that the 1309 is currently out of service due to a cylinder issue. We will discuss this more at the upcoming meeting.

FYI, EBT number 16 is also out of service due to a cracked driver hub. It is not a good time for steam in our area.

Mid-Eastern Region Convention Planning

We have been officially asked to host the 2027 MER convention. Assuming we are still an active division I can see no reason not to do so. Under the current convention protocols the MER handles a significant portion of the work involved. I would like to form a small (3 to 4 people) exploratory committee to investigate available facilities, possible prototype tour activities, etc. If you would like to participate in this endeavor please contact me as soon as possible.

For details about the 2024 convention visit, <https://portal.smdnmra.org/2024/05/04/piedmont-junction-2024-registration-now-open/>.

Wheel Report Feature Articles

As previously noted, Alex Polimeni is now working with Division members (and others) to develop feature articles, layout photo tours, written clinics, etc. to supplement the basic Wheel Report content. Please consider reaching out to him and providing content.

Remember, this is your Division and we are depending on you to support us and provide us with content for the Wheel Report. We will not be issuing a regular edition of the Wheel Report until August, so you have plenty of time to work something up.

All submissions will be published on SMDNMRA.org.

Email submissions to southmountaindiv@gmail.com. – Ed.

Piedmont Junction 2024 – Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for Piedmont Junction, the 2024 Mid-Eastern Region Convention, in Durham, North Carolina at the Marriott Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle Park the weekend of October 17-20, 2024, with four full days of model railroading activities.

43 clinics
25 layout open houses
13 operations sessions on 10 different layouts
3 prototype tours
Carolina BBQ Banquet (vegetarian & gluten free options)
Banquet speaker Carl Hollowell, President Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad Co.
Contest evaluations, T-TRAK layout at hotel, and much more!Register Now at the Convention Website: https://piedmontjunction.cpd13.org/
from the home page, click on the registration tab

Early Registration rate of $60.00 for NMRA members
through 8/31/2024

Hotel reservations available at our special rate of $79.00 usd
Marriott at Research Triangle Park
4700 Guardian Drive, Durham, NC 27703

Hotel Registration Link: https://mer-nmra.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ff9c9b60a3019d08c05fb8e92&id=fd75eab596&e=8d5e4e9309
Book your group rate for Mid Eastern Region of the National Model Railroad Association
Or telephone 919-941-6200 to get the special rate

See You in October!

Jack Dziadul, Co-Chairman
Kevin O’Connor, Co-Chairman

SMD Mini Con; 06 April 2024

South Mountain Division (SMD) Mini Con, Clinics Day is 06 April 2024. Doors open at 9:00 AM at the Blue Ridge Summit Fire Hall. The event is FREE! Plenty of parking along side the fire hall. Food truck on-site. On going presentations throughout the morning are informal. Sit and chat with clinicians. Learn something new. Meet new friends. Bring the family. Make a day of it. More details to come.

Please support our sponsor, Mainline Hobby Supply. Their store will open at 9:00 AM also on this day.