N&W 2-6-6-4 class A by United (PFM) decoder install.
Got 'burned out' on LED install on cabeese so back to decoder installs.
Made in 1962 and installing a TCS WOW101 steam with 'keep alive'.
Engine made before sound so holes drilled in tender bottom. Holes painted from the other side to make them look 'factory drilled'. First successful sound made in 1972 by PFM.
Also, as with a lot of the tenders, there is a open area under the tender deck so the brass was cut away for routing of the decoder wires. A dremel cut off disk and filing used to cut area. A little paint along the edges to 'dress it up'.
Marker (classification) lights drilled out for LED's.
Brand new #57 drill bit and oil used to drill out marker light. Backside supported with popsicle stick. Sides drilled, first; the front is last and has very little brass to drill through. Oil added about 3 times to insure no heating or binding. Also insures the markers are not broken off the boiler front. Care needed on drilling. I find the PFM (United, Tenshodo, etc) engines are mostly very sturdy in brass thickness and soldering and, usually, can take the drilling. Other importers can have some pretty thin mounts and, sometimes, it's best to remove them, drill and then re-solder them back onto the boiler. I have held them with wire cutters while drilling. The ends of the wire cutters have jaws.
#57 drill bits bulk buying from HD online.
Four holes drilled in boiler for running lights. Installed and glued in place.
Since I, previously, put a back head in the cab, an LED was installed.
Tender light drilled out and LED glued in.
Ditto on the head light.
Holes drilled through front of boiler front to route LED's to marker lights.