DCC Solutions

Auscision 73 Class DCC Sound Installation

with Lighting Modifications

Now available with our NEW Remastered

ESU LokSound 5 Custom Sound Project

with the "Full Throttle - Drive Hold" feature.

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.

In January 2019, Auscision released a second run as a DC model only. However, this time it is a DCC ready model as they have 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 release so it was quite possible for this option to be included in the second release. So, now this new 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 V4.0 (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.

DCC with Sound and Lighting Modifications

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 and 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

So why not get fully featured sound from DCC Solutions

Our Custom NSW 73 Class Sound Project now includes these great features:

Full Throttle – Drive Hold

This feature allows you to simulate a loaded or empty 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. This exciting, new feature gives the operator the ability to have the train crawl in notch 8 or coast at 100 km/h. Release the Drive Hold function button and you simply go back to throttle-controlled speed and motion. 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 fitted sound or downloadable ESU sound file will not stop your loco at speed step 0 with the drive hold feature on.

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 and the sound will exit and return to whatever speed is 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.

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 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.

Coupling and Release with Shunting Mode

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

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 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 Prime Mover
• Random Start-up sequences including Automatic Hot or Cold Engine Start s.
• 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 and 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 for shunting.
• 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.
• This Sound Project is also suitable for other brands of 73 Class 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. No lighting modifications.

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 controller plus our ESU LokSound 5 Custom 73 Class Sound Project.

Here is the selection of sound and function labels using the ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder with 8 Function Lighting Outputs.

SOUND and OUTPUT FUNCTION LABELS

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification

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

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

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

Options Available

ESU LokSound 5 Sound Decoder programmed with DCC Solutions Custom 73 Class Sound Project

ESU LokPilot V4.0 (Non Sound Decoder)

DCC Solutions upgraded 8 Function Light Modifications

Supply only Decoders and Speakers for DIY Installations

Adding quality crew figures in the cab for the 1st Release (2013) Models.