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Auscision XPT Class DCC Sound Installation

with Lighting Modifications

Bring your XPT to Life with a Sound Project like no OTHER

Now available with our NEW​ 2023 Remastered Custom Sound Project

About the NSW XPT

The XPT (Express Passenger Train) is the main long-distance passenger train operated on country rail services in New South Wales. Based on the British Rail designed HST (High Speed Train) the XPT entered service in April 1982, running on long-distance regional and interstate North Coast, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales and interstate into Victoria and Queensland.

Each XPT set is made up of two locomotives, one at each end, coupled to between four and seven carriages.

 

In January 1978 the Public Transport Commission invited tenders for 25 high-speed railcars. In August 1979 Comeng was announced as the successful bidder after submitted a tender for a train based on the British Rail-designed High Speed Train.

The High Speed Train design was significantly modified, compare to its British counterpart, with the power cars being 50 cm shorter. The Paxman Valetta engine downgraded from 2,250 to 2,000 bhp (1,680 to 1,490 kW), gearing lowered for a top operating speed of 160 km/h, the suspension modified to operate on inferior track, and air filters and the cooling system modified to cater for hotter and dustier Australian conditions. A different light cluster was also fitted, along with three high-beam spotlights mounted to the roof.

The initial XPT livery was red, black, and orange with Intercity XPT sign writing on the power cars.

On a demonstration run to Albury on 6 September 1981 the XPT set a new Australian speed record of 183 km/h between Table Top and Gerogery in Southern NSW. Then during a run to Albury on 18 September 1992 the XPT broke its own record by reaching 193 km/h.

 

In February 1990, the Brisbane Limited and Pacific Coast Motorail were withdrawn and replaced by XPT services to Brisbane and Murwillumbah. In November 1993. XPTs replaced locomotive hauled stock on the overnight Sydney/Melbourne Express, then in December 1994 an XPT daylight service to Melbourne was introduced by extending the Riverina XPT from Albury.

 

During 2002 the original Paxman Valetta engines were replaced with the V-12 Paxman VP185.

In 2015, the NSW Government allocated $7.5 million to start planning for a new fleet to replace the XPTs

DCC with Sound and Light Modifications

In September 2015, Auscision released the NSW XPT passenger train as a 7 Car Set (2 x Power Cars and 5 x Passenger Cars) which includes a 21 Pin socket for fitting a DCC decoder plus a speaker enclosure that suits a 20x40mm speaker in both Power Cars. As both power cars have motors installed, two decoders are required for DCC operation. There are micro switches under the Power Cars for turning lights on/off in DC. In DCC all lights, (including the strobe lights on the roof) will operate directional. The DCC Decoders require additional programming than usual to be able to run the power cars and lights in the correction direction the train is travelling.


For this installation, we recommend the ESU LokSound 5 (Sound) with our remastered Custom Sound Project for the XPT Class or the LokPilot 5 (No Sound) for those not wishing sound.


Here at DCC Solutions we offer a light modification for the XPT Passenger Train to separate the headlights, white and red marker lights, ditch lights and the roof strobe lights for a more prototypical operation in DCC. This allows the marker lights to be controlled individually as well as the headlights, ditch lights and strobe lights. 

Remember, the real XPT didn't run with all the lights on at once all the time.

The strobe lights are functioned to operate when the short blast or the high/low horns are operated and will remain flashing for a set time then automatically turn off. A working Low - High Beam Headlight function is also an added feature.

The DCC Solutions NSW XPT Class Custom Sound Project

is packed with sounds and features not found on any other sound decoders being offered on the Australian market.

So why not get fully featured sound from DCC Solutions

Our Custom Sound Project now includes these fantastic features:

XPT Sound

The XPT Leading and Trailing Power Cars are programmed with their own custom XPT sound schedules, meaning your XPT will sound different each time you are running it, so both cars won't sound identical all the time to provide you with more realism.

Coasting On Demand - Service Mode

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, and the sound will exit and return to whatever speed is set when exiting. This feature also allows you to follow a real XPT practice and put the trailing car into service mode (coasting) while the leading car can still power along.

Working Brake

Press the Brake Function button, and your XPT 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 XPT 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 XPT up.

Brake Squeal on Deceleration

Activate this function and when you reduce the throttle speed, your XPT 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.

Electro-Pneumatic (EP) Braking

Apply the EP Brakes and the XPT will wind down to idle and begin to slow up automatically under EP braking. 

Disengage EP Braking releases the brakes and the XPT will return to it's notched speed.

Random Start-up Sequences with Move Off and Stopping Sounds

Now with random start-up sequences including hot or cold engine starts, your start-up and shut down will not always sound the same.

As your XPT begins to move off you will hear the sounds of brakes releasing with random speed activated wheel squeal, rail clanking 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 XPT 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.

Random Sounds

While other sound decoders 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 NSW "XPT" Class drive and sound impressive

  • Paxman VP185 V12 Prime Mover Custom Built Sound Project

  • The Leading and Trailing Power Cars programmed with their own sound schedules for added realism

  • Random Start-up and shut down sequences, including Hot or Cold Engine Starts

  • Coasting on Demand. Put either or both Power Cars into coasting, with the trailing car entering service mode.

  • Hear the correct sounds from each of the Power Cars depending on the direction of travel with our extensive programming

  • Short Blast and Playable Horns

  • Two Tone Country Horn or Alternate Horn with working Strobe Lights

  • 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

  • Random Speed Sensitive Rail Clanking (7 car set default but adjustable) and Rail Noises when the loco moves off

  • Working Electro-Pneumatic (EP) Braking

  • Stop & Drive Random Sounds with more sound options to make your XPT not always sounding the same each time it's run

  • Wheel Squeal

  • Brake Squeal on deceleration and off on acceleration

  • Guard's Whistle

  • Station Announcements relevant to XPT passenger services including station departure sequence.

  • And more (See below for full list)

  • Modified Lighting Option for more prototypical light operation

  • Low beam to High beam Headlight operation

  • Motor settings and sound volumes tuned to specifically suit the Auscision XPT Passenger Train

  • Motor Tuned for Slow Speed performance

  • Both Power Cars closely speed matched to provide more consistent running speeds between the cars

  • Play 10 different sounds simultaneously

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

Install the best XPT sound available from DCC Solutions

DCC INSTALLATION AND MODIFICATION FEATURES

Standard DCC Installation: Non-sound decoder in each power car with no lighting modifications

Basic Sound Installation: ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder in No.1 Power Car and Non-sound decoder in No.2 Power Car.

Premium Sound Installation: 2 x ESU LokSound 5 sound decoders with our Custom XPT Class Sound Project. No lighting modifications.

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification: Bring your XPT to life and impress your friends with this setup.

2 x ESU LokSound 5 sound decoders with our Custom XPT Class Sound Project

Strobe Lights to operate with the Horn or separate On/Off function. Marker Lights separate On/Off function. Headlights separate On/Off function with low and high beam and Ditch Lights separate On/Off all using individual function buttons on your DCC System.

DCC Solutions SOUND and FUNCTION Labels

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification using the ESU LokSound 5

F0    Directional Headlights, Markers and Ditch Lights

F1    XPT High/Low Horn with Timed Strobe Lights

F2    XPT Horn

F3    High Beam Headlight

F4    Working Electro-Pneumatic (EP) Braking

F5    Coasting on Demand

F6    Brake

F7    Brake Squeal on Deceleration

F8    Both Power Cars Start Up/Shut Down/Mute

F9    Marker Lights On/Off

F10  Ditch Lights On/Off

F11  Headlights On/Off

F12  Strobe Lights On/Off

F13  XPT Horn with Timed Strobe Lights

F14  Station Announcement with departure sequence

F15  Leading Power Car Fan

F16  Leading Power Car Compressor

F17  Trailing Power Car Coasting (Service Mode)

F18  Wheel Squeal

F19  Guard's Whistle

F20  Individual Power Car Start Up/Shut Down

F21  Volume Fader - Reduces Sound 50%

F22  Trailing Power Car Fan

F23  Trailing Power Car Compressor

F24  Spitter Valves

F25  Shunting Mode - Reduces Speed 50%

F26  Short Air Release

F27  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.

All functions can be reprogrammed to suit your own personal requirements.

DCC Solutions XPT Sound Sample using the ESU LokSound V4.0

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