Hornby A4 4-6-2 with M1 decoder installation

This photos show Hornby A4 4-6-2 with M1 decoder installed. The Locomotive comes DCC ready with blanking plugs in the socket.  The decoder was hard wired to the blanking plug and stacked on top of the plug using double sided foam pads. The suppressors were removed and the wires soldered and heat shrink applied. This allows the suppressor capacitor to be refitted should the need arise. There is no doubt that the loco runs better without the capacitors.  The blanking plugs are simply modified by cutting between the pads with a razor saw or sharp knife. Some careful checking of which lead goes where is required as all the original wiring is black.  Solder the shortened decoder leads to the top of the plug and cut back the unused leads (blue, yellow, white) and heat shrink them to prevent shorts. Leave enough length on these leads to enable them to be reused if they should be required in a different installation. The decoder and leads are then stacked using two foam pads on top of the blanking plug.  Photos by Bob Dunstone  of Southland, New Zealand. 

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