I had seen the install of this decoder on the Soundtraxx YouTube channel in early 2021 and it looked like something that I could do. When I got the decoder, it was a pretty straightforward install similar to most drop in decoders for Kato engines. There was also plenty of room for the speaker immediately behind the decoder and forward of the high portion of the rear chassis. Because of this, I bought two more decoder kits for installation into an N-Scale E8 A/B set. This is the story of that install in three videos.

Part 1 – Most of the installation into the E8B unit (usually the easiest) is shown except when I discovered that there really wasn't anyplace to put the speaker without some machining to create a pocket for the speaker (which I had never done before).  

Part 2A - Shows an overview of the process and items needed to machine a pocket in the rear section of the E8A chassis for the tiny speaker. In order to accomplish this task, I had to order two items, first, a 1/4 inch machining bit suitable for the soft metal that the chassis is made from. Second, I needed a slide vise that would allow me to use my drill press as the machining device. I have never done this before so this is definitely a learning process.  

Part 2B - This is the final part of the installation and test of the Soundtraxx2 TSU-KN1 decoders that were installed into an N-Scale Kato E8 A/B set. The E8 set was consisted without any additional adjustments to either engine decoder. There is also a short bonus video of a Kato F7A that I had previously installed the same decoder (Jan 2021).

The major difference between the E8 and F7 installs is that the E8s required some machining to make room for the speaker (included in the TSU-KN1 kit) where the F7 has plenty of room just behind the decoder for the same speaker. I would recommend this decoder kit for install into any of the compatible N -Scale Kato engines.

Modeling the ATSF Paradigm Division in N-Scale 

‪https://www.youtube.com/user/tanzj