Trainorama 44 Class DCC Sound Installation

Now available with our two NEW Remastered
ESU LokSound 5 Custom 44 Class Mk1 and Mk2 Sound Projects
including the "Full Throttle - Drive Hold" feature.Get the right sound for your 44 Class only from DCC Solutions
ESU LokSound 5 Custom 44 Class Mk1 and Mk2 Sound Projects
including the "Full Throttle - Drive Hold" feature.


The locomotives were fitted with Alco 12-251B engines, developing 1343 kW and were built in two batches. The first 60 (Mark 1) between July 1957 and April 1961 and the second 40 (Mark 2) between October 1965 and December 1967. These Mark 2 units 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 included an 8 Pin socket for fitting a DCC decoder plus a 4 pin sound ready speaker socket with two 8 ohm speakers making it a perfect solution for sound. The model featured incandescent light bulbs to light up the front and rear headlights along with the front number boards.
Trainorama will release a 2nd run of their 44 class model in late 2019 that includes a 21 pin socket for fitting a DCC decoder and will feature LED headlights and marker lights. We may offer a light modification to separate the lights for more prototypical light operations once we have more details about the model.
For this installation we recommend the ESU LokSound 5 (Sound) with our remastered Custom Sound Projects for the 44 Class or the LokPilot V4.0 (No Sound) for those not wishing sound. We can offer several 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 44 Class Custom Sound Project
is packed with sounds and features not found on other sound decoders especially factory fitted sound.
is packed with sounds and features not found on other sound decoders especially factory fitted sound.
Factory Fitted Sound only offers you the very basic sound for your model
So why not get fully featured sound from DCC Solutions
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.
This is something you won't find elsewhere.
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 will not stop your loco at speed step 0 with the drive hold 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.
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 braking 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 and 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.
- Brake squeal on deceleration and turns off on acceleration.
- 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 Braking 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.
- Manual Notching - manually control the notching rather than letting the decoder do it
- Directional Coupling and Release with brake line release plus 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!
- Full Lighting Options for more prototypical light operation on the 2nd Release models.
- Low beam to High beam Headlight operation
- And more (See below for full list)
- Play 10 different sounds simultaneously
- 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. No lighting modifications.
Standard Sound Installation: Alternate brand of sound decoder with factory generic sound. No lighting modifications.
Premium Sound Installation: ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder with our Custom ALCo 12-251B Sound Project to suit GE Governor for Mk 1 or Woodward Governor for Mk 2 NSWGR 44 Class. No lighting modifications.
Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification: ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder with our Custom ALCo 12-251B Sound Project to suit GE Governor for Mk 1 or Woodward Governor for Mk 2 NSWGR 44 Class plus our light modification for 6 Function lighting outputs on the 2nd Release models, that allows you individual control of the Front and Rear Headlights, Front and Rear White Markers, Front and Rear Red Markers using the function buttons on your DCC throttle
SOUND and OUTPUT FUNCTION LABELS
Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification
Options Available
ESU LokSound 5 Sound Decoder programmed with DCC Solutions Custom 44 Class Sound Project
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