Here are the Step by Step instructions on how to install the decoder and all the lights for this engine.
Below there is a short Movie Clip of all the lights in action, just click the link below to start the show.

Athearn F59PH.mpg

Here are the instructions, and remember this is for FUN !


Well here goes nothing!


First step is to remove the shell and then to separate the roof from the shell.

   


Next we will remove the coupler pilot, this just snaps right off.



Next remove the light tube as well as the two small red light gems, next take the light shield out,
next cut the pins that hold the pilot on, you will CA the pilot back onto the engine.



you do not have to do this step but it makes installing the lights much easier, also if you do not do this the two white ditch lights will not look as good,
they sit at an angle because there is not enough clearance behind the ditch light for the bulb and wires. So after you are done the light tends not to look
right because you are not looking at the light head on because it is sitting at an angle.


Now it is time to drill out the holes so the bulbs will fit into the holes, before you can drill out the holes for the regular headlights you have to remove the headlight lens.
You also might have to drill out the holes for the red lights a little more to get the bulbs to fit. Use a #54 drill bit.

   


Now we will install the bulbs into the holes. PLEASE TEST ALL BULBS BEFORE YOU INSTALL THEM! I just use a AA batery.
I glue the bulbs in with CA, miniatronics tells you to use a glue called GE Silicone Glue this will allow greater ease of replacing bulbs, I just use CA.

   


Now you want to cut the two body tabs out, this will give you greater access for putting the wires in the engine later.

   


Now we turn to the mecanism.
First we start by taking the light board out as well as the two contacts for the light board and the motor power.

   



After this we remove the truck by using a small screw driver to pry the trucks off.

   


Next thing to do is take out the motor saddle and mark the bottom of the motor so you know which side is which for the decoder install.




After you mark the motor remove the brush caps so you can solder the wires onto them.




Now remove the copper power pickups this is what you will solder the rail wires to.




Remove the brush caps from the motor so you can solder the motor leads to them. Orange wire goes to what used to be the power comming from the right rail and
the gray wire goes to what used to be the power comming from the left rail.


Here is a tip, stick a tooth pick in the small hole of the brush cap so solder does not flow through it and cause the brush not to seat properly.

As you can see in this picture the brush caps are done as well as the power pickup's. Remember the red wire goes to the pickup for the right side and the
black wire goes to the pickup for the left side. For the pickup's I used the ears that were on the pickup's that used to hit the motor leads. These keep the wires
in line so it is easier to reassemble.


Now we will reassemble the motor in the cradle. Also you need to insulate the frame before you put the engine back together.

The most critical part of the engine to isolate is where the ears come through by the motor. But as you can see by the color of the Kapton tape
where I have pu the insolation.


Last but not least reasemble the loco and test run to make sure all works.




That completes getting the engine running now it's on to hooking the lights up and finishing the project.