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Trainorama 44 Class Diesel Locomtovie
DCC Sound Installation 
with Lighting Modifications

Now available with a NEW​ Remastered 

Custom 44 Class Mk1 and Mk2 Sound Projects

including “Full Throttle - Drive Hold” feature

Get the right sound for your 44 Class only from DCC Solutions

About the NSWGR 44 Class Locomotive

The 44 class are a class of diesel-electric locomotives based on the Alco DL500B model built by AE Goodwin, Auburn for the New South Wales Government Railways between 1957 and 1967 with a total of 100 locomotives built.

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.

 

Some earlier 44 Class locomotives were withdrawn from service in the late 1980s due to the need of rewiring, however many survived into the 1990s, with the last being withdrawn in July 1997. The State Rail Authority still had over forty on its books that were auctioned in December 1994. 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.

DCC with Sound and Light Modifications

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 wired for 16 ohm operation. The model featured incandescent light bulbs to light up the front and rear headlights, along with the front number boards. This model did not include marker lights.

 

In February 2020, Trainorama released a 2nd run that included a 21 pin socket for fitting a DCC decoder with two 8 ohm speakers, wired for 4 ohm operation. The model featured LED headlights and marker lights, with some models having illuminated segregated number boxes at the rear of the loco.

 

For this installation, we recommend the ESU LokSound 5 (Sound) with our remastered Custom Sound Project for the NSW 44 Class or the LokPilot 5 (No Sound) for those not wishing sound.

 

DCC Solutions offer a light modification for the Trainorama 44 Class (2020 Release)

A light modification is available for the 2020 release that allows individual DCC control for the headlights, white markers, red markers and numberboards. You will have full control of what lights you want switched on, depending on how you are running your 44 Class Locomotive for a more prototypical operation.

The DCC Solutions NSW 44 Class Custom Sound Project

is packed with sounds and features not found on other sound decoders 

being offered on the Australian market, especially factory fitted sound

So why not get fully featured sound from DCC Solutions

Our Custom Sound Project now includes these fantastic features:

Two Sound Projects for the 44 Class Mk1 and Mk2

We now have sound projects for the:

44 Class Mk 1 (4401-4460) with 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, giving your 44 Class the correct sound.

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 can be controlled independently by adjusting the speed on the throttle, so this can simulate a hard-working locomotive. This exciting feature gives the operator the ability to have the loco crawling in notch 8 or coasting at top speed along the track. 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, which can damage your model because you ran into something.

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, the sound will return to the speed that's 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. The brake can also be used while driving to slow the locomotive up.

Working Dynamic Brake

Apply the Dynamic Brakes and the Prime Mover will wind down to idle and slow up, then 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 return to it's notched speed and the fans will turn off.

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.

Random Start-up Sequences with Move Off and Stopping Sounds

Now, with random start-up sequences, 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.

Remastered Horn Sounds

A playable and short blast horn recorded from 4465 (The 44 class had numerous variations of horns during its life span)

Also included will be the remastered NSW Nathan P5 and the WABCo A/B Series playable and short blast horns.

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, to create even more realism to running your model.

Includes all these great features to make your Trainorama 44 Class model drive and sound impressive

  • ALCo 12-251B Turbo NSW 44 Class Custom Built Sound Project

  • 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

  • Full Throttle Drive Hold - Lock the loco speed, 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

  • Proper Working Dynamic Brakes: When activated, automatically slows down with Dynamic braking, cooling fans operate

  • Directional Coupling and Release with brake line release plus auto active shunting mode to reduce the speed of the loco

  • Stop and Drive Random Sounds including fans, compressor, rail noise, track wheel squeal, air releases and more!

  • Wheel Squeal

  • Brake Squeal on deceleration and off on acceleration

  • Guard's Whistle

  • Manual Notching - manually control the notching rather than letting the decoder do it

  • Modified Lighting Option for more prototypical light operation

  • Low beam to High beam Headlight operation

  • Motor settings and sound volumes tuned to specifically suit the Trainorama 44 Class Locomotive Model

  • Motor Tuned for Slow Speed performance, perfect for shunting

  • Play 10 different sounds simultaneously

  • 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

DCC INSTALLATION OPTIONS

Standard DCC Installation: Non-sound decoder

Premium Sound Installation: ESU LokSound 5 programmed with the DCC Solutions Custom NSW 44 Mk1 or Mk2 Class Sound Project to suit your model.

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modification: ESU LokSound 5 programmed with the DCC Solutions Custom NSW 44 Mk1 or Mk2 Class Sound Project with the DCC Solutions Light Modification to separate all lighting for individual function control on your DCC throttle (2020 Release Only)

DCC Solutions SOUND and FUNCTION Labels

Premium Sound Installation and Light Modifications using the ESU LokSound 5

F0    Directional Headlights

F1    Full Throttle Drive Hold

F2    NSW 44 Class Horn

F3    High Beam Headlight

F4    Working Dynamic Brakes

F5    Coasting on Demand

F6    Brake

F7    Brake Squeal on Deceleration

F8    Prime Mover Start Up/Shut Down/Mute

F9    Front White Markers On/Off

F10  Rear Red Markers On/Off

F11  Rear White Markers On/Off

F12  Front Red Markers On/Off

F13  Directional Marker Lights

F14  Numberboard Lights

F15  Fan

F16  Compressor

F17  Coupling /Uncoupling + DCCS Shunting Mode

F18  Wheel Squeal

F19  Guard's Whistle

F20  Sanding Valve

F21  Volume Fader - Reduces Sound 50%

F22  Front Headlight

F23  Numberboard Light Switch - Front_Both_Rear

F24  Spitter Valves

F25  Manual Notching

F26  Notch Up / Short Air Release

F27  Notch Down / Cab Door

F28  Rail Clank

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

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.

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