Con-Cor Galloping Goose

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

T4X



This installation of the TCS T4X Decoder is for the HO Scale Con-Cor Galloping Goose and was performed by James Holt.

Shown prior to decoder installation.
Shown prior to decoder installation.
To begin the installation, lay the model on it’s side and locate the notches on the underside of the frame, above the rear axles. Using a small flat-blade screwdriver, lift the side of the wall and release the sidewall from the tab. Repeat on the opposite side, and then remove the shell from the rear frame by lifting upward.
To begin the installation, lay the model on it’s side and locate the notches on the underside of the frame, above the rear axles. Using a small flat-blade screwdriver, lift the side of the wall and release the sidewall from the tab. Repeat on the opposite side, and then remove the shell from the rear frame by lifting upward.
Here, we see the factory light board with the NMRA plug on the left side of the board (the cab of the engine is on the right in this view). NOTE: this board has ten holes—the 8-pin NMRA plug MUST go into the pins marked 1 through 8. THE OTHER TWO HOLES, MARKED 9 & 10 ARE FOR A SPEAKER, NOT A DECODER!!!!
Here, we see the factory light board with the NMRA plug on the left side of the board (the cab of the engine is on the right in this view). NOTE: this board has ten holes—the 8-pin NMRA plug MUST go into the pins marked 1 through 8. THE OTHER TWO HOLES, MARKED 9 & 10 ARE FOR A SPEAKER, NOT A DECODER!!!!
Several ways could be used to connect the T4X decoder to the NMRA plug. TCS makes a short harness for connecting the decoder to the NMRA plug, but I used one I had fabricated myself. I chose the T4X because of some special lighting effects to be used later. A T1 will fit just as easily. As you connect the 8-pin plug, AGAIN, BE SURE TO INSERT PIN 1 OF THE HARNESS TO PIN 1 OF THE BOARD, AND BE SURE THAT PINS 9 & 10 OF THE LIGHT BOARD ARE STILL VISIBLE AFTER YOU MAKE THE CONNECTION. Before testing your installation, make sure that you have not disturbed any of the factory wires to the board, as they are not soldered and do come loose fairly easily! Now, you see the completed connections and the unit is ready for the test track. NOTE: DO NOT RE-INSTALL THE SHELL UNTIL YOU HAVE TESTED THIS ON A test track. Re-install the shell only after a successful test!
Several ways could be used to connect the T4X decoder to the NMRA plug. TCS makes a short harness for connecting the decoder to the NMRA plug, but I used one I had fabricated myself. I chose the T4X because of some special lighting effects to be used later. A T1 will fit just as easily. As you connect the 8-pin plug, AGAIN, BE SURE TO INSERT PIN 1 OF THE HARNESS TO PIN 1 OF THE BOARD, AND BE SURE THAT PINS 9 & 10 OF THE LIGHT BOARD ARE STILL VISIBLE AFTER YOU MAKE THE CONNECTION. Before testing your installation, make sure that you have not disturbed any of the factory wires to the board, as they are not soldered and do come loose fairly easily! Now, you see the completed connections and the unit is ready for the test track. NOTE: DO NOT RE-INSTALL THE SHELL UNTIL YOU HAVE TESTED THIS ON A test track. Re-install the shell only after a successful test!

Important Soldering Tip

Please do not use any flux either liquid or paste on the mother board. Over time, the acidic properties of liquid or paste flux will begin eating away at the fiberglass PCB and will damage it. Use only Rosin-core solder or no-clean flux approved for electronics use.

TCS recommends the use of Kester "44" Sn63 Pb37, .015" diameter Rosin-core solder. Kester part number 24-6337-0007.

You can order this solder from the following retailers:
Digikey - PN:KE1110-ND
Techni-Tool - PN:488SO6775

Other solder tips

When stripping wire, only strip a tiny little bit of the insulation. Strip no more than a 1/32 of an inch. When the wire gets tinned with solder, the insulation will shrink back more. Try to not expose any more wire than half the length of the solder pad at most. In no case should solder or exposed wire wire ever be outside the boundary of the the solder pad you are attaching a wire to.
Click here for important information on properly Stripping and Tinning wire