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Installing a Digitrax DZ123 in Thomas the Tank Engine Thomas is a small 0-6-0 steam engine made by Tomix for UK 1:148 scale n-gauge railways.
I run Thomas, Henry and James at the Christmas Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, where the Thomas trains are very popular with the children!
There are apparently two different versions of the Tomix Thomas, and I have seen both variants, with different internal design. Mine has the motor extending into the coal bunker at the rear, but leaving space in the top of the cab. The other version has a taller motor, and a small weight in the bunker. For a decoder install in that model, see Joe Ellis'page.   Preparing to Install
Thomas body removed
The body shell is clipped on at front and back, but lifts off pretty easily. The power pickups in this engine are on top of the wheels, and collect dirt very well as the wheels turn! Cleaning under the pickups is required frequently if the track is at all dirty. The power feeds to the motor are easily visible here, and have to be disconnected as the first step. A very brief touch with the soldering iron while applying a little pressure or leverage with a small needle-nose pliers will do it.
Thomas decoder wired
Wiring this decoder requires separating the power from the motor, and then connecting the 4 power wires. The decoder is going to sit right above the motor, and so the red, black, orange and grey wires can be cut to length before attaching. A little slack makes it easy to remove the shell again later. I cut all the wires to the same length, anc coiled the unused lighting wires close to the decoder, in case I get around to installing lights later.
Thomas decoder wired and taped
The contacts need to stay separated, and I used a small square of electrical tape each side. Shrink sleeve could also be used, but restricts the flexibility of the wires somewhat. The decoder is going to sit right above the motor up in the cab, and I covered the bright Digitrax red with black electrical tape.
Thomas decoder in place in the cab
The body shell then clips back and Thomas is ready to roll!

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