The engineering of models’ inner mechanics and electronics is most fine. Most modern models are great as they are from the manufacturer. Occasionally, modification is wanted. Such was the case of dapol’s D class SE&CR Wainwright 4-4-0.
A Next18 decoder fits atop a male plug style circuit board through the smokebox. Clever but awkward. I started with the N18 but chose an 1100 instead when I gutted the electronics.The female socket circuit board was removed.This additional circuit board was also removed.While its wires were removed, this little circuit board was left to secure the motor and power supply wires. I added a little solder to these top electrical pads to improve electrical continuity.While the electrical continuity wasn’t great, the fastening mechanism was quite good. I don’t like engines and tenders coming apart, but I don’t mind this mechanism.This shows how the KA-N1 barely fits. It’s great for small N and Z scale models, but this OO model needs greater capacitance with the first set of tender wheels not always contacting the rail tops. A slight vertical misalignment of the drawbar fastener causes this.This shows the SoundTraxx 1100, a mini cube speaker 1, and a TCS KA2 all fit into the tender.This demonstrates the longevity of the KA2.
Dapol’s D class SE&CR Wainwright is a good model, but its minor flaws make it only so good. It’s great after its upgrade! It sounds nice, runs smoothly, and the KA2 maintains plenty of supplementary power.
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