Auscision 73 Class DCC Sound Installation
with Lighting Modifications
Auscision 73 Class DCC Sound Installation
with Lighting Modifications
About the NSW 73 Class Locomotive
The 73 class are a diesel-hydraulic locomotive built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough, Queensland for the New South Wales Government Railways between 1970 and 1973.In October 1969 the New South Wales Government Railways placed an order for 20 Bo-Bo shunting locomotives. These were the only New South Wales locomotives to be built in Queensland. The first unit was delivered in October 1970. When the all of the 20 locomotives were delivered, all steam shunting on 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 New South Wales.
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. Multiple unit operation was common and a number of units were fitted with exhaust gas scrubbers for use on Eastern Suburbs Railway construction in the 1970s.
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.
7301 & 7344 were placed on RailCorp's Heritage & Conservation Register. However, 7301 was subsequently scrapped in January 2014.
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 requires 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 suitable for DCC operation and won't work.
The model is small and space is limited so for this installation we recommend the ESU LokSound V4.0 (Sound) with our Custom Sound Project for the 73 Class or the LokPilot V4.0 (No Sound) for those not wishing sound. We offer several different options of DCC installations for this model to suit all budgets and can supply the decoders only for the DIY installers.
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 a light modification for this 73 Class to separate the lights for a more prototypical operation.
We can separate the front headlight, 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. 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 and you can even run with just the front white markers switched on. You can control 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.
For a Standard Light Modification we can separate the lights as follows:
7) Rear Red Markers - on/off with 1 function button
Our Custom Sound Project is now available
The NSWGR 73 Class Custom Sound Project includes:
Two new features have been added to our Custom Sound Project. Coasting on demand and a working Independent Brake.
Coasting on Demand
This feature allows you to enter coasting mode whenever you what with a press of a button.Often when coming to a stop, the throttle of a real locomotive is put into Idle and the engineer coasts to a stop. Another situation that occurs is that once a train is up to speed when operating over
rolling terrain, the engineer can coast to maintain a certain speed. By pressing the coast function button, the sound drops from wherever you are to idle and remains there. Using the throttle speed control, you can now speed up or slow down the train with the sound remaining constant, at idle.
Press the function button to exit coasting and the sound will exit idle and return to whatever speed is set when exiting.
Independent Brake
Simply press the Independent Brake Function button and your loco will come to a stop at a much short distance than if you were to bring the loco to a stop by reducing the speed throttle.Press the function button to release the brake and your loco will move off again.
SOUND and OUTPUT FUNCTION LABELS
Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification
Options Available
ESU LokSound V4.0 Sound Decoder programmed with DCC Solutions Custom 40 Class Sound Project
ESU LokPilot V4.0 (Non Sound Decoder)
DCC Solutions upgraded 6 Function Light Modifications
Supply only Decoders and Speakers for DIY Installations
Adding quality crew figures in the cab