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Austrains 35 Class Steam Locomotive

DCC Sound Installation with Lighting Modifications​

Now available with a NEW Remastered Custom Sound Project

including "Full Throttle - Heavy Load" feature

Also, suitable for Bergs and DJH Models

About the NSWGR 35 Class

The NSWGR 35 Class is a two-cylinder, simple, non-condensing, coal-fired superheated, 4-6-0 express passenger steam locomotive. 

The 35 Class (originally the NN Class) were an important development of express passenger power on the NSW Railways. Eveleigh Railway Workshops built all 35 locomotives in this class between 1914 and 1923 for the New South Wales Government Railways in Australia. Despite their elegant, somewhat English looking appearance, they suffered a long period of teething troubles and were poor performers, especially on long climbs.


When they entered traffic, the 35 Class locomotives immediately took over the major passenger expresses and became the NSWGR standard motive power for all main-line passenger services, including the Melbourne and Brisbane Expresses. In June 1918, they took over on ‘The Fish’ the then premier Blue Mountains train. In 1932, they began to haul the ‘Caves Express,’ continuing in this service until the mid-late 1930's when they were displaced by the 36 Class. When delivered, all the then NN Class were painted in standard NSWGR unlined black. During the period when the 35 Class were used to haul the ‘Caves Express' however, three of the class, 3506, 3526 and 3535, were painted deep (Oxford) blue, lined in gold (or Light Buff) with matching sets of L-type and R-type cars painted blue and gold used for the Caves Express. A silver star was painted on the smoke box door.


By the early 1940's, the 35 Class locomotives were generally sharing the working of the major expresses with the 36 Class, and were still being used occasionally on the Newcastle Express. With the 36 class (and then the 38 Class) taking over mainline passenger traffic, the 35 class was eventually confined essentially to the North Coast and Main North lines, north of Gosford working both passenger and freight trains. All remaining members of the class were based at Broadmeadow Depot until replaced by diesels in the 1950's. The first was withdrawn in February 1959 and the last was withdrawn in August 1968. Only 3526 was preserved.


Locomotive 3526 was withdrawn from service in 1967 and was the only one retained for preservation. In 1967 the locomotive was painted blue with heavy white lining and was used on enthusiast tour trains until 1973. A subsequent re-paint by the RTM (with NSWGR assistance) in 1971 saw the locomotive gain a livery of deep blue with gold (yellow) lining. The locomotive arrived at Thirlmere in 1975 under its own steam, and did not run again until 2004 following a major restoration in which it was once again returned to its original livery of unlined black.

DCC with Sound and Light Modifications

The Austrains 35 Class was released in July 2008 with a QSI sound decoder and a non-sound DCC ready model with an 8 Pin Socket for fitting a DCC decoder however there is an issue with the wiring, and it needs to be corrected before you can install DCC to avoid damaging the decoder. The locomotive and tender have wheel pick-ups. A front working LED headlight is included.


For this installation, we recommend the ESU LokSound 5 (Sound) with our remastered Custom Sound Project for the 35 Class or the LokPilot 5 (No Sound) for those not wishing sound.

We offer a light modification for the Austrains 35 Class

New Headlight Operation

We have modified the headlight operation to resemble the prototypical operation of a real steam locomotive, where the light generator controls the operation rather than the light function. No more turning off the sound and the light stays on waiting for you to turn it off.

Also, added are:

* Automatic High Beam Headlight Function when the locomotive begins to drive. Bring it to a stop and the headlight will return to dim.

* Low Beam Front Headlight when reversing is also available.

Tender Marker Lights

Here at DCC Solutions, we can install some white and red marker lights to the tender to really enhance the model when running light or shunting. This allows light engine running with the front headlight and rear red markers. White markers for running in reverse.

The DCC Solutions NSW 35 Class Custom Sound Project is packed with

sounds and features not found on other sound decoders

and will have your model sounding just like a real steam locomotive

Factory Fitted Sound only offers you the very basic sound 

So why not get fully featured sound from DCC Solutions

Our Custom Sound Project now includes these fantastic features:

Cold and Hot Start Up Sequences

Select the Cold Start Up and you will activate the cold boiler preheat long start to hear the water being pumped into the boiler, the light of a match to start the fire, the sound of the fire crackling, coal shovelling and the sounds of the pressure building up to reach the correct level before commencing to move off. Now that's something you won't hear from other sound decoders!

Select the Hot Start-Up to activate the hot boiler quick start to skip the preheat assuming the correct boiler pressure is almost reached.

Shut down your 35 Class and the sound just doesn't stop. Steam releases and other sounds will be heard as the locomotive shuts down.

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 changes into an intense chuff, so this can simulate a hard-working steam locomotive. This exciting, new feature gives the operator the ability to have the train crawling along the track while producing an intense chuff. 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.

Coasting on Demand

This feature allows you to enter coasting mode whenever you want with a press of a button. The loco will enter the coasting mode and remain in coasting until you turn it off, regardless of changes in the speed. Experiment with turning it on and off while the loco is moving at speed to hear the sound changes of a steam locomotive when you want. With this feature, you can have your model sounding like a real steam locomotive.

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.

Coupling and Release with DCCS Shunting Mode

Activate coupling or release and your locomotive will automatically reduce its speed to allow for a more realistic coupling or release operation. Once the coupling operation is completed, your locomotive will automatically stop while once uncoupled will continue to run at slow speed for a few more seconds before returning to the speed set on your throttle.

Prototypical Headlight Operation

We have also modified the headlight operation to resemble the prototypical operation.

In the past you would have turned off the sound (Pressing F8) and all the sounds including the generator would stop playing, but your headlight would remain on, and you would have to turn it off separately. Well not anymore...

Press the headlight button (F0) to turn on the generator. The headlight won't turn on until enough power has been generated to turn the light on, dimmed. While the generator is on, the headlight stays on. If you press F8 to shut down and turn the loco sound off which will include the generator, then the headlight will also turn off even if you haven't turned the headlight off itself using the headlight button.

Also, added for lighting are:

Automatic High Beam Headlight Function when the locomotive begins to drive. Bring the loco to a stop, and it will return to a dim state.

Low Beam Front Headlight when reversing is also available.

Selectable high to low beam while driving.

Remastered Whistle

A new remastered 35 Class whistle that includes user selectable options

  • Playable with varying starts and ends to the whistle.

  • Three additional versions of the playable whistle

  • A reversing whistle

And includes all these great features to make your Austrains 35 Class drive and sound impressive

  • NSWGR 3526 recorded steam sounds

  • Cold Boiler Start Up Sequence including boiler water fill, fire up sequence, boiler pressure reached before moving off

  • Optional Quick Hot Start Up Sequence - Straight to waiting for boiler pressure to be reach before moving off

  • Full Throttle Heavy Load - Lock the loco speed and control the chuff sound independently to simulate a hard-working locomotive

  • Coasting On Demand

  • Working Brake

  • Brake squeal on deceleration and turns off on acceleration

  • NSWGR 35 Class Whistle with variations including a reversing whistle

  • NSWGR 35 Class Compressor

  • Playable Stop Sounds including boiler/steam sounds, safety values, blower and more

  • Random Drive Sounds including track squeal, compressor, injectors, coal shovelling, and more

  • Individual Coupling and Release Options depending on the locomotive's direction with shunting mode

  • Water filling tender sounds

  • Generator controlled Headlight. The headlight is controlled by the generator sound

  • Automatic High Beam Headlight Function when the locomotive begins to drive and returning to a dim state at stop

  • Optional low beam headlight when reversing or while driving

  • Guard's Whistle

  • Wheel Squeal and Rail Clanking

  • Can play up to 10 different sounds simultaneously

  • Sound volumes tuned to specifically suit the Austrains 35 Class Locomotive Model using the DCC Solutions speaker

  • Motor settings tuned to provide Slow Speed motor performance

  • 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

  • DCC Solutions High-Performance Speaker delivering impressive sound

  • This Sound Project is also suitable for other brands of 35 Class Model 

DCC INSTALLATION OPTIONS

Standard DCC Installation: Non-sound decoder

Premium Sound Installation: ESU LokSound 5 programmed with the DCC Solutions Custom NSW 35 Class Sound Project

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification: ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder programmed with the DCC Solutions Custom NSW 35 Class Sound Project with dual red/white LEDs for operating red and white marker lights on the rear of the tender

Factory QSI Sound Decoder Replacement: Replace the original factory sound decoder using the ESU LokSound 5 programmed with the DCC Solutions Custom NSW 35 Class Sound Project

DCC Solutions SOUND and FUNCTION Labels

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification using the ESU LokSound 5

F0    Headlight - FWD-Bright_REV-Off_STOP-Dim

F1    Drive Hold - Heavy Load

F2    Playable Whistle

F3    Low Beam Headlight while driving

F4    Cylinder Steam Release

F5    Coasting On Demand

F6    Brake

F7    Brake Squeal on Deceleration

F8    Boiler Start Up Sound On/Off/Mute

F9    Directional Rear Marker Lights

F10  Rear Red Markers

F11  Rear White Markers

F12  Reserved (Light Mods)

F13  Headlight - FWD-Bright_REV-Dim_STOP-Dim

F14  Reserved (Light Mods)

F15  Blower

F16  Compressor

F17  Coupling /Uncoupling + DCCS Shunting Mode

F18  Wheel Squeal

F19  Guard's Whistle

F20  Sanding

F21  Volume Fader - Reduces Sound 50%

F22  Headlight On/Off (No Generator for Silent Running)

F23  Tender Water Fill

F24  Injectors

F25  Safety Valves

F26  Coal Shovelling

F27  Shunting Mode

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.

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