Last Updated: 9 June 2025
Hornby OO Gauge Tender Drive Steam DCC Conversion
Buy Hornby OO Gauge Tender Drive DCC Conversion for £50.00
This guide covers Hornby OO gauge steam loco models that are driven by the motor in the tender. Examples include the LNER A4 'Bittern' and B17 'Everton'. It also applies to other locos with a similar arrangement:
- Hornby B17/4 'Everton' in BR Green livery (R133)
- Hornby LNER A4 'Bittern' in BR Green livery (R770)
Step 1 - Remove Tender Body
Remote the tender body by unclipping it, and popping it off.
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Step 2 - Isolate Motor
There are two wires coming from the motor, attached with spade connectors. One of the wires goes to another spade connector attached to the chassis. The other wire goes to the tender pin.
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Desolder and remove the capacitor that bridges the motor contacts.
Cut both wires, leaving at least a few centimetres of wire at either side. Solder the orange and grey wires to the wires coming from the motor contacts. Use some heatshrink to cover the joins.
Solder the red and black wires to the other wires that go to the chassis at the top, and the tender pin at the back. Again, use some heatshrink to cover the joins.
Step 3 - Connect Decoder
Solder the four wires onto the decoder as below. There is room inside the body for a 6-pin socket, so you can optionally install one of those for convenience if you wish.
Pin # | Colour | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Orange | Motor |
2 | Grey | Motor |
3 | Red | Track Power |
4 | Black | Track Power |
Step 4 - Reassemble
Tidy up the wires, and replace the tender body.
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