After many years's service, I had to replace the MRC 1952 decoder in my Kato GG1. The second decoder went in easier than the original, since the necessary frame modification was already done. As with the original installation, I pre-tested the new decoder with a decoder tester with a motor and everything worked properly. I used caption tape in all of the required spots and installed the new decoder. So far, so good. But the problem that reared its ugly head was that the lights and sounds worked, but the engine didn't move when addressed on address 3, which I had used to test the decoder previously. I had originally planned on replacing the original Kato couplers with Micro Trains. So, I had completely disassembled and reassembled the engine before installing the new decoder. When the engine didn't move, assuming that either the decoder was defective, or more likely, not making contact with the motor brush caps. As far as I can tell, the decoder motor contacts are insulated from the frame by the caption tape where they should be and not covered on their inside bent portion where the they should make contact with the motor brush caps. Before I have a chance to pull the decoder out, can anyone tell me if installing the the motor cradle upside down in this originally DC powered Kato GG1 could be part of the problem? I don't know whether I did this or not, but there's at least a 50-50 chance. Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated. Don
