Trainorama 44 Class DCC Sound Installation
Two New Remastered Custom Sound Projects
including "Full Throttle - Drive Hold"
now available for the 44 Class Mk1 and Mk2
including "Full Throttle - Drive Hold"
now available for the 44 Class Mk1 and Mk2
The locomotives were fitted with Alco 12-251B engines, developing 1343 kW and were built in two batches. The first 60 between July 1957 and April 1961 and the second 40 between October 1965 and December 1967. The last 40 had Associated Electrical Industries as opposed to General Electric generators and traction motors as well as illuminated segregated number boxes at the No.2 end.
During their career these locomotives have served every part of New South Wales and operated every type of train.
They have driving cabs at both ends with the front (No.1 end) of the locomotive having a rounded nose (however not as round as the Clyde/GM "Bulldog nose" type) and the No.2 end was flat faced.
While most were scrapped, a number saw service with other freight operators. Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia, Great Northern Rail Services, Independent Rail of Australia, Silverton Rail and Southern Shorthaul Railroad all operated the 44 class locos with most ending up with Qube Logistics until their withdrawal in 2014.
A number of preserved examples are main line registered and as well as operating heritage trains, periodically operate services for other operators.
There are 10 of the 44 class locos preserved 4401, 4403, 4420, 4464, 4465, 4468, 4472, 4473, 4486, 4490 with a further 9 stored 4458, 4461, 4463, 4471, 4477, 4483, 4488, 4497, 4498 and the remaining 81 scrapped.The Trainorama 44 Class was released in 2005 and includes an 8 Pin socket for easily fitting a DCC decoder plus a 4 pin sound ready speaker socket with two 8 ohm speakers making it a simple solution for sound.The model featured incandescent light bulbs to light up the front and rear headlights along with the front number boards.
For this installation we recommend the ESU LokSound V4.0 (Sound) with our Custom Sound Project for the 421 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.
This sound project is also suitable for the Bergs 44 Class "O" Scale Model.
The DCC Solutions NSW 43 Class Custom Sound Project - ALCo 12-251B
is packed with sounds and features not found on other Sound Decoders
The DCC Solutions NSW 43 Class Custom Sound Project - ALCo 12-251B
is packed with sounds and features not found on other Sound Decoders
Two Sound Projects for the 44 Class Mk1 and Mk2
We now have sound projects for the:
44 Class Mk 1 (4401-4460) which includes the GE Electric Magnetic Governor that causes a "rhythmic surging" or "hunting sound" at idle.
44 Class Mk 2 (4461-44100) which includes the Woodward Electro Hydraulic Governor giving a smooth more stable idle.
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
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.
Working Dynamic Brake
Apply the Dynamic Brakes and the Prime Mover will wind down to idle while the Dynamic Fans engage to assist with cooling. Reduce the throttle and the decoder's dynamic motor logic will reduce your speed faster than normal. Disengage Dynamic Braking and the primer mover will returned to it's notched speed and the fans will turn off.
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.
And includes all these great features to make your 44 Class drive and sound impressive.
- ALCo 12-251B Turbo Prime Mover.
- GE Governor for Mk 1 or Woodward Governor for Mk 2
- 4465 Class Short Blast and Playable Horn. (Also available - Wabco A/B Horns or Nathan P5)
- Random Start-up sequences including Automatic Hot or Cold Engine Start.
- 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
- Proper Working Dynamic Brakes: The prime mover winds down to idle, fans activate and brakes faster due to Dynamic Brake motor logic
- 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 with auto active shunting mode to reduce the speed of the loco for shunting
- Stop & Drive Random Sounds including fans, compressor, rail noise, track wheel squeal, air releases and more!
- Low beam to High beam Headlight operation
- And more (See below for full list)
- Motor settings and sound volumes tuned to specifically suit the Trainorama 44 Class Locomotive Model.
- 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
- This Sound Project is also suitable for other brands of 44 Class Models.
Standard DCC Installation: ESU LokPilot V4.0 Non sound decoder
Premium Sound Installation: ESU LokSound V4.0 sound decoder with our Custom ALCo 12-251B Sound Project with speaker enclosures.
For the best quality sound we reconfigure the factory installed speakers and their wiring to include custom speaker enclosures specially designed for this model, to eliminate the sound waves produced from the back of the speaker, mixing with the sound waves produced from the front of the speaker. Avoiding this will produce sound that has less volume, lower bass and will sound “tinny”. The sound difference is remarkable.
SOUND and OUTPUT FUNCTION LABELS
Premium Sound Installation
Note: The above functions are for the LokSound V4.0 Decoder programmed with DCC Solutions Custom Sound File. The functions and sounds will be different for the LokSound Select or any other Sound Decoder. To learn how to use these functions see the Info & Help page. All functions can be remapped for personal preference.
Options Available
ESU LokSound V4.0 Sound Decoder programmed with DCC Solutions Custom 44 Class Sound Project
ESU LokSound Select Sound Decoder programmed with ESU generic sound file
ESU LokPilot V4.0 (Non Sound Decoder)
Alternative brands of Sound and Non Sound Decoders of your choice.
Supply only Decoders and Speakers for DIY Installations