top of page

Auscision 73 Class Diesel Locomotive

DCC Sound Installation with Lighting Modifications

Auscision 73 Class_Install Page.jpg

Now available with a NEW​ Remastered Custom Sound Project

including "Full Throttle - Drive Hold" feature

About the NSW 73 Class Locomotive

The 73 class are a diesel-hydraulic Bo-Bo shunting locomotive built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough, Queensland for the New South Wales Government Railways between 1970 and 1973. There were 20 units built, and these were the only New South Wales locomotives to be built in Queensland. The first unit was delivered in October 1970. When the all the 20 locomotives were delivered, all steam shunting on the North Coast line, at Goulburn and the Sydney Metropolitan area had been replaced. In July 1971 a further 30 units were ordered, and when the last of these arrived in March 1973 it brought to an end all remaining steam shunting operations in NSW.

The New South Wales Government Railways purchased the class mainly for shunting, and their prohibition from mainline use was 'officially' due to the lack of vigilance controls. However, despite its absence, the class was still seen on many suburban trip workings and when mainline operation was a necessity, there seemed to be no hesitation to use them. 

With a reduction in locomotive hauled passenger trains and the closure of a number of yards, withdrawals began in February 1987. By October 1991 only three remained in service with FreightCorp. One was repainted into CountryLink livery for use as a depot shunter at the XPT Service Centre.

Disposals commenced in 1990 with three sold to the Canberra Railway Museum. Four were sold to Manildra Group in 1991, while many were sold to Queensland sugar cane companies. A number have also been preserved 7307, 7320, 7321,7324, 7329, 7335, 7344, 7350. In all 15 remain in service, 8 preserved, 16 stored and 11 were scrapped.

DCC with Sound and Light Modifications

The Auscision 73 Class was released in February 2013 as a DC model only. There was no provision for DCC, and the model required a complete rewire to operate in DCC. Three switches located internally on the board enabled you to turn the headlights, marker lights and number board lights on/off in DC. To operate these lights in DCC, the light boards require extensive modifications as they are not compatible for DCC operation and won't work correctly.

In January 2019, Auscision released a second run as a DC model only. However, this time it was a DCC ready model as they included the European 6 pin DCC socket. Unusual choice as we were able to fit an adapter board with a 21 pin decoder in the rear of the original 2013 release, so it was quite possible for this option to be included in the second release.

So, the 2019 release model is DCC ready with working lights but not DCC Sound Ready.

 

To achieve the best sound for this installation, we recommend the ESU LokSound 5 (Sound) with our Custom Sound Project for the 73 Class. For the DCC only option, the LokPilot 5 (No Sound) is for those not wishing sound.

We have tweaked the motor control of the ESU decoder to provide super slow smooth speed which is perfect for shunting operations, allowing the loco to move ever so slowly towards its rolling stock. Also, for those wanting the locomotive to move off slowly and build up speed like the prototype. You will be impressed with the smooth slow speed motor control.

We offer full individual light control for Auscision's 73 Class to allow more prototypical light operations.

A light modification is available for both 73 Class releases to separate the headlights, numberboards, white markers and red marker lights for a more prototypical operational practices in DCC. Both the white and red marker lights at the front and rear can be controlled individually or directionally, as well as the front and rear headlights and numberboards. That allows for no rear red marker lights to be on when the loco is carrying a load behind it. Or both the front and rear red markers switched on at the same time when the locomotive is standing in a siding or shunting. Plus, you can even run with just the front white markers switched on. You will have full control of what lights you want switched on, depending on how you are running your 73 Class Locomotive. You can also still operate all the lights directional as the way the model was delivered. 

Light Modifications — 2013 and 2019 Release

1) Headlights — directional with 1 function button

2) Marker Lights — directional with 1 function button

3) Numberboards — all on with 1 function button

4) Front Headlight — on/off with 1 function button

5) Front White Markers — on/off with 1 function button

6) Front Red Markers — on/off with 1 function button

7) Rear White Markers — on/off with 1 function button

8) Rear Red Markers — on/off with 1 function button

9) Numberboards — selectable front, rear, both ends with 1 function button

The DCC Solutions NSW 73 Class Custom Sound Project

is packed with sounds and features not found on other sound decoders, especially factory fitted sound

 

So why not get fully featured sound from DCC Solutions

Our Custom Sound Project now includes these fantastic features:

Full Throttle – Drive Hold

This feature allows you to simulate a hard-working loaded train by pressing the F1 function button. When the button is pressed, the motor will remain at a constant speed, while the sound can be controlled independently by adjusting the speed on the throttle, so this can simulate a hard-working locomotive. This exciting feature gives the operator the ability to have the loco crawling in notch 8 or coasting at top speed along the track. Release the Drive Hold function button, and you simply go back to throttle-controlled speed, motion, and sound. Available only from DCC Solutions, our Drive Hold will stop your loco when you reduce the speed to zero, even while the function is still active. Your ESU factory sound or sound from other providers will not stop your loco at speed step 0 with the drive hold switched on, which can damage your model because you ran into something.

Coasting On Demand

This feature allows you to enter coasting mode whenever you want with a press of a button. Often, when coming to a stop, the throttle of a real locomotive is put into idle and the locomotive coasts to a stop. Another situation that occurs is that once a train is up to speed when operating over rolling countryside, the driver can coast to maintain a certain speed. By pressing the coast function button, the sound drops into coasting and remains there. Using the throttle speed control, you can now speed up or slow down the train, with the sound remaining in coasting mode. Press the function button to exit coasting, the sound will return to the speed that's set when exiting.

Working Brake

Press the Brake Function button, and your locomotive will come to a stop at a much shorter distance than if you were to bring it to a stop by reducing the throttle speed. Release the brake and your locomotive will move off again, or choose to have it remain stationary when the brake is released. The brake can also be used while driving to slow the locomotive up.

Brake Squeal on Deceleration

Activate this function and when you reduce the throttle speed, your locomotive will begin braking and slow up quicker as you continue to lower the throttle speed, and you will hear the squeal of the brakes. Accelerating will release the brakes.

Random Start-up Sequences with Move Off and Stopping Sounds

Now, with random start-up sequences, your start-up and shut down will not always sound the same.

As your locomotive begins to move off you will hear the sounds of brakes releasing with random speed activated wheel squeal, rail noises and other sounds. Some of these sounds are random or speed sensitive that will turn on/off automatically depending on your take-off speed. When the locomotive comes to a stop you will hear the squeal of the brakes, air releases and then the compressor will cut in automatically to fill the reservoirs with air until full and will cut out.

Remastered Horn Sounds

A new remastered NSW RVB Hurricane 5 Chime Series playable and short blast horn.

Random Sounds

While the factory fitted sound will only offer you 1-2 random sounds, DCC Solutions will have up to 10 random sounds that will play when either the loco is stopping or moving, to create even more realism to running your model.

And includes all these great features to make your Auscision 73 Class drive and sound impressive

  • Caterpillar D379 Turbo NSW 73 Class Custom Built Sound Project

  • Random Start-up sequences, including Automatic Hot or Cold Engine Starts

  • NSW RVB Hurricane 5 Chime Series playable and short blast horn

  • Air and Brake Release Sounds when loco moves off and stops, including Brake Squeal

  • When the loco stops after braking, the compressor cuts in to fill the reservoir and will turn off when the tanks are full

  • Speed sensitive Wheel Squeal and Rail Noise when the loco moves off

  • Full Throttle Drive Hold - Lock the loco speed, control the sound independently to simulate a heavy loaded or empty train

  • Coasting On Demand

  • Working Brake to bring your locomotive to a stop even when Full Throttle Drive Hold is active, unlike other ESU sound files

  • Directional Coupling and Release with brake line release plus auto active shunting mode to reduce the speed of the loco.

  • Separate Coupling and Uncoupling Functions available in our sound project. (Not Function Mapped)

  • Stop & Drive Random Sounds including, compressor, rail noise, track wheel squeal, air releases and more!

  • Wheel Squeal

  • Brake Squeal on deceleration and off on acceleration.

  • Guard's Whistle

  • And more (See below for full list)

  • Optional light modifications for individual light control for more prototypical operation

  • Low Beam/High Beam Headlight

  • Play 10 different sounds simultaneously

  • DCC Solutions “MICRO” High Performance Dynamic Speaker producing fantastic sound

  • Motor settings and sound volumes tuned to specifically suit the Auscision 73 Class Locomotive Model

  • Slow Speed performance, perfect for shunting

  • Individual sounds slots and master sound volumes can be adjusted by the user to suit personal requirements

  • Full function button remapping to suit your personal requirements

  • Quality Cab Crew installed in the cab for the 1st release (2013) models

DCC INSTALLATION AND MODIFICATION FEATURES

Standard DCC Installation: Non-sound decoder with no lighting modifications.

Premium Sound Installation: ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder with our Custom 73 Class Sound Project. 

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification: Upgrade to 8 Function lighting outputs with the DCC Solutions Light Modification to separate all lighting for individual function control on your DCC throttle, plus our ESU LokSound 5 Custom 73 Class Sound Project.

DCC Solutions SOUND and FUNCTION Labels

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modifications using the ESU LokSound 5

F0    Directional Headlights

F1    Full Throttle Drive Hold

F2    NSW Nathan P5 Horn

F3    High Beam Headlight

F4    Working Dynamic Brakes

F5    Coasting on Demand

F6    Brake

F7    Brake Squeal on Deceleration

F8    Prime Mover Start Up/Shut Down/Mute

F9    Front White Markers On/Off

F10  Rear Red Markers On/Off

F11  Rear White Markers On/Off

F12  Front Red Markers On/Off

F13  Directional Marker Lights

F14  Numberboards On/Off

F15  Fan

F16  Compressor

F17  Coupling /Uncoupling + DCCS Shunting Mode

F18  Wheel Squeal

F19  Guard's Whistle

F20  Sanding Valve

F21  Volume Fader - Reduces Sound 50%

F22  Front Headlight

F23  Manual Handbrake Ratchet

F24  Numberboard Switch - Front Only/Rear Only/Both On

F25  Manual Notching

F26  Notch Up / Short Air Release

F27  Notch Down / Cab Door

F28  Rail Clank

Note: The above functions are for the LokSound 5 Decoder programmed with DCC Solutions Premium Custom Sound Installation with Light Modification.

The functions and sounds will be different from any standard generic ESU Sound Files or other Sound Decoders.

To learn how to use these functions, see the Info & Help page.

bottom of page