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| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 10:39 #126611 | |
Adam2606
3 posts |
Hi Apologies if this is in the wrong place on the forums I am new here! I am currently at signalling school working for network rail and wondering if the sim sig software would be suitable for me to practice at home what I am learning each day (the infamous Hornby Junction). I am learning Absolute Block. Thanks for any help 
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| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 13:34 #126617 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
Hi Adam, SimSig isn't really an absolute block simulator, although we do have simulations which give a representation of AB they're not in anyway similar to Hornby Junction. Ask your WDS as they should be able to give you a link to the web based Hornby Junction / Gatestown simulators. I'm not sure how things are working during COVID-19, but try and get as much revision done of a night with your group (Use something like Zoom, Skype, Houseparty to assist with the social distancing), and as much use of the real simulator as you can manage. Above all else, don't be afraid to ask questions if you're not sure of something, all of the WDSs will be happy to help you, and I guarantee you won't be the only one wondering about the question you ask. "Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Adam2606 |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 13:48 #126620 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
As headshot already said, SimSig isn't really great for AB. If I could get more information about Gatestown (I've got a panel image but no locking tables or TC lengths) then I'd be tempted to do a Gatestown sim with Hornby Junction as a lever frame attached to it. If your school is willing to provide some technical information then we'd love to do it (quite possibly for free, if they find that an incentive). At least one sim was commissioned by the relevant PSB manager so that it could be used by signallers to practice on, so the concept isn't completely far-fetched. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Adam2606 |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 14:51 #126623 | |
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Adam2606
3 posts |
Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I am making sure I do all of the revision on a night I was hoping that SimSig would give me a chance to do a little bit of more practical practice as well if that's makes sense. Apologies I don't have any of the information on gates town I believe that is only used on the circuit block course, it is mentioned on our sim but we only 'control' Hornby Junction Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 16:42 #126626 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
Adam2606 in post 126623 said:When a group of us had a visit to the signalling school in Leeds, we were told that students did 6 weeks of AB on Hornby Junction followed by 2 weeks of TCB on Gatestown. Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 17:02 #126628 | |
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Late Turn
699 posts |
clive in post 126626 said:Adam2606 in post 126623 said:When a group of us had a visit to the signalling school in Leeds, we were told that students did 6 weeks of AB on Hornby Junction followed by 2 weeks of TCB on Gatestown. It always used to be the case that you’d do the AB course (13 weeks-ish?) followed by a short (1 week?) TCB conversion course if necessary. They were planning to start running TCB-only courses at the time, which seems a sensible choice for those going into powerboxes or ROCs. I did spend one quiet afternoon writing an intensive timetable (“Project X”?) for Gatestown and I often wonder whether it’s still on the system somewhere! Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 17:04 #126629 | |
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TUT
534 posts 
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I'm not sure how things were or when they changed, but to my lasting regret, a (I'm told quite recent) change of company policy has separated AB and TCB training such that you don't learn AB unless you will work AB. Back in the day everyone learned AB and then you did TCB if you needed to know it, but with the dwindling of AB boxes the decision was taken not to teach people all this stuff 'they'll never use'. Of course, if you have to signal out-of-gauge trains between boxes, signal by bell or telephone (TS2 reg 3.5) or if you simply feel you'd like to really 'get' why things are the way they are, you might feel there's some merit to seeing where GE/RT8000 came from, but alas neither management, nor necessarily all TCB signallers quite have the same attitude I do. In late 2018/early 2019 it was a 12 week TCB course, although the first week had a lot of modern guff dreamed up by people who clearly went to university, where time was devoted to things like 'learning to learn' and manual handling (moving a box). The last week was just your final practical exam on whichever day you happened to have it. There was an AB course running roughly parallel to the TCB course at the time. They started one week earlier and their course was a week longer than the TCB course I believe, although I can't remember whether that includes the one-week TCB conversion course or whether that was a second additional week. Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 20:51 #126633 | |
Steamer
3985 posts |
Just googled Gatestown panel. Looks like a copy has just entered service: https://twitter.com/networkrail/status/1252207651494100992 "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 22:37 #126641 | |
Hap
1039 posts
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That looks like the panel that was sitting in the back of a Luton van, stolen from Perth back at the start of Feb ;-) Post has attachments. Log in to view them. How to report an issue: www.SimSig.co.uk/Wiki/Show?page=usertrack:reportanissue Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 23:31 #126642 | |
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Ron_J
331 posts |
The Perth NX simulator was relocated (not ‘stolen’) to the new Scotland Route signalling school at Shettleston, along with the AB sim. The NX sim in turn had come from the old Leeds school in 2013; I was the one who brought it, and most of the other contents of the Leeds school, up the road.
Last edited: 08/05/2020 at 23:33 by Ron_J Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 08/05/2020 at 23:38 #126643 | |
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TUT
534 posts
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All Gatestowns are pretty much the same
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| Using simsig for Signalling School 09/05/2020 at 00:12 #126645 | |
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Ron_J
331 posts |
TUT in post 126643 said:All Gatestowns are pretty much the sameEach of the AB and NX simulators (“Hornby Junction” and “Gatestown”) are all identical. I think there are 10 of each. Interestingly the GSM-R fixed terminal simulator kits also exist in the same universe - “Gatestown East”, “Gatestown West”, “Stopham East”, “Stopham West” & “Hornby Jn”. Last edited: 09/05/2020 at 14:20 by Ron_J Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 09/05/2020 at 00:48 #126646 | |
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Hap
1039 posts
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I suppose the lighthearted joke of 'stolen' has gone amiss. apologies, I thought the wee winky face at the end would've cleared that one up. Though it is interesting to know that it only went to Shettleston as it was a Manchester hire van. Granted that doesn't mean jack, but did put 2 and 2 together that it would've been headed down by. How to report an issue: www.SimSig.co.uk/Wiki/Show?page=usertrack:reportanissue Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 09/05/2020 at 01:25 #126647 | |
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Woodhead Signalman
64 posts |
Hi Adam, I wish you luck in learning the AB signalling system. I learned back in 1978 on the training layout at Manchester Victoria signalling School, which is now located in the NRM in York I really enjoyed the 6 week course (as it was back then) and hope that you have a really enjoyable time on your course and are located in a lovely box somewhere
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| Using simsig for Signalling School 09/05/2020 at 01:33 #126648 | |
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TUT
534 posts
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Ours had the little red signal box legend on the wrong side of the track  But yes, they're all the same in every way that matters
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| Using simsig for Signalling School 09/05/2020 at 09:01 #126650 | |
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Adam2606
3 posts |
Hi we are on 10 weeks of AB using only Hornby Junction followed by an additional weeks TCB conversion course if it goes ahead with the current craziness around corona. Thanks to everyone for the replies, very helpful
Last edited: 09/05/2020 at 11:54 by Adam2606 Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 09/05/2020 at 14:19 #126654 | |
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Ron_J
331 posts |
Hap in post 126646 said:I suppose the lighthearted joke of 'stolen' has gone amiss. apologies, I thought the wee winky face at the end would've cleared that one up.It was the manufacturer who took it to bits and moved it. The other two signalling simulators in Scotland Route are at Larbert (AB) and downstairs in the old Glasgow Central box (TCB). Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Hap |
| Using simsig for Signalling School 09/05/2020 at 22:12 #126670 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
When we went on an official visit to Cambridge PSB, we were asked to wait in a side building. In it was a Hornby Junction lever frame, waiting to be collected.
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