Tyneside IECC

Sunderland Workstation

Introduction

This workstation covers the Durham coast area from Gateshead (exclusive) to Sunderland. It features the main line running of the Metro system, currently operated by Nexus. As well as TPWS for the main line trains, it also has train stops for the Metro units. Configurations of both exist at junctions to limit the risk of Metro trains and non-Metro trains going where they shouldn't, though this is largely invisible to you as a signaller.

From Pelaw Metro Junction to South Hylton the line is electrified for the Metro trains only. Main line trains are all diesel through this workstation.

There have been minor alterations to the signalling over the life of Tyneside IECC in the Boldon area and Wardley interface but mostly insignificant to actual operation.

Signalling Notes

Sunderland

Sunderland station has overlaps that overlap each other. That is, when setting a main route from 6222 to 6208, the overlap will extend past the following signal, 6206. Setting a route from 6208 to 6206 then sets an overlap over the same track plus more. The same applies for the other platform, and in the opposite direction.

Signals 6206/6212/6209/6215 will not show proceed unless a route is set towards them, or their berth tracks are occupied. This prevents read-through, i.e. a train further down the platform seeing this signal show proceed while the signal immediately in front is still at red.

Trains should be held at signal T6203 instead of T6205 to prevent being stopped in a tunnel with diesel fumes.

Sunderland - Classes 0, 3 (freight), 4, 6, 7, 8

Inadequate TPWS provision for the above classes of train mean special rules apply at Sunderland to prevent such a train stopping at the platforms. These are as follows:

Signal 6224 must not be cleared unless 6222, 6208, and 6206 *or* 6222, 6214, and 6212 are showing proceed aspects
Signal 6203 must not be cleared unless 6205 and 6207, *or* 6205, 6213, and 6215 are showing proceed aspects
Signal 6211 must not be cleared unless 6207 and 6209, *or* 6213 and 6215 are showing proceed aspects

Sunderland Sidings

Only siding 2 is wired for trams.

Sunderland Park Lane

The overlaps at signal 6299 do not time out.

Sunderland - Pelaw

While on most of this section speed limits for passenger trains are between 60 and 70 mph (80 km/h / 50 mph for trams), freight train speed limits between Sunderland and Pelaw are severely limited, ranging from 20 to 30 mph only north of Monkwearmouth Jn and reaching as low as 10 mph through the St. Peter's area. This needs to be taken into account when having to regulate between freight and passenger trains.

East Boldon

There is a CCTV crossing at this station. Both directions have a non-stopping control which also affects the two AHB crossings to the north (screen right). The non-stopping or stopping controls are determined by which route is set: signals T6243 and T6242 have additional grey exit triangles. The exit triangles should be used for stopping trains while the signal itself should be used as the exit for non-stopping trains.

Tyne Docks

The shunter at Tyne Docks will phone you to inform you that the line is clear into the docks. Do not send another train in that direction until you have received the line clear call, and don't send a train if you have accepted a train from Tyne Docks.

Pelaw

Run-rounds at Pelaw must be handled manually. There is no ACI for the run-round loco. Check the timetable but generally a down train will arrive in the Down Goods Loop (top line), detach the loco, the loco will move forward past signal T5318, reverse and pass along the Down Sunderland to signal T5310, over pointwork towards signal T6278, reverse behind signal T5313, and then back on to the train in the Down Goods Loop.

Train Describer Notes

Generally, setting a route out of a siding or yard without a train description present will cause a NDSD to appear. This acts as a reminder to correctly describe the train before it gets too far. This is per real life.

Metro trains are described with the prefix 2I followed by a two digit number. This maps to train numbers 100 to 199 when on the Metro itself, such that 2I34 is Metro train 134, while Metro train 176 will enter Tyneside as 2I76. Even empty (non-passenger) trains will have the 2I prefix.

Note that some trains terminate at Sunderland / Park Lane and form the same headcode back again, under a different schedule. ARS does not interpose these new headcodes as it sees the original headcode already existing (i.e. it does not interpose 2I45 if it sees 2I45 already in the same platform). After the train has arrived, right-clicking on the berth and selecting "Make ARS" should suffice in making ARS recognise its next working.

Interlockings

There are four interlockings in this area:

SUNDLAND - South Hylton through Sunderland
BOLDON - St. Peter's to Boldon AHB
PELAWEAS - Boldon East Jn to Pelaw Metro Jn
PELAW - Pelaw

Tyneside Contents

Last edited by GeoffM on 25/02/2021 at 23:06