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| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 06/01/2022 at 17:57 #143383 | |
ajax103
1120 posts |
I see you've added Bescot, that would make a certain member very happy especially as they used to work there.... 
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| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 25/01/2022 at 09:00 #143810 | |
elltrain3
369 posts |
It's been a while but i'm back with another small one....Telford! Covering the line from Wellington - Wolverhampton Over a period of approx 8-10 Years We Start back in the 1973 era just after major rationalisation has taken place, Our first stop after leaving Shrewsbury is Wellington a small town, it once bosted 4 boxes, Wellington No1,2,3 & 4 with 1 & 4 controlling the junctions either side of the station and 2 & 3 controlling the station itself though as of 1973 Nos 1,3 & 4 were abolished with both diverging routes having already gone and their function rather useless. The box that remained was the former No2 box built-in 1953 by BR with a 71 lever frame, which was modified to control the entire station with 2 "fast" lines 2 through platform loops and a sole remaining bay for shuttles to Walsall also at this time the box gained a box code of "WN" Next up Is Madeley Jn, (Plated MJ) a relatively new box opened by BR in 1969 and fitted with 40 Levers and whose main purpose was to control the junction for coal trains to Ironbridge Power Station which kept the box busy! Next, we look along the branch to Ironbridge to Lightmoor Jn a small box also built by BR in 1951 and fitted with 30 levers though only 5 were in use, it the former junction for the GWR line to Shrewsbury via Ironbridge or Craven Arms via Ironbridge, the route we know today as the closed portion of the Severn Valley Railway From Bridgenorth to Shrewsbury Back on the Main Line, we reach Cosford, (Plated CD) Home of the RAF Museum, the box was also fairly new, though was a GWR 1938 Build with 39 Levers and it had 2 goods loops as well as a siding and connection to the RAF though was largely out of use at the time. The next box is the simplest at Codsall (Plated CL) and is by far the oldest on the line being built in 1929 and was really only retained to break the block section, it had 25 Levers and 3 signals each way plus a trailing crossover. Finally, we reach Oxley, (Plated OY) which opened in 1969, and replaced 3 GWR boxes in the area at Oxley Carriage Sidings North, Middle & South, the box had 60 Levers and fringed with Wolverhampton PSB which only opened in 1965 so wasn't the original fringe box! it has a complex layout though retains 1 semaphore OY36 Guarding Exit from CS18. Now for the next era In December 2002 the then brand new Network rail closed Wellington No2 and control passed to a VDU in the neighbouring box at Madeley Jn all new signals plated "MJ 3XX" in line with the scheme that would eventually take over the entire route! The signal box was demolished completely though all equipment was recovered. The other boxes saw no major changes. However..... In 2006 Everything Changed, On the 26th October 2006 Madeley Jn, Lightmoor Jn, Cosford and Codsall sent 7-5-5 and the boxes closed and overnight all signals were disconnected and Cosford Box Demolished, then the new signalling went in, state of the art VDU screens were installed in Madeley Jn and all signals between Wellington and Codsall plated "MJ 3XX" In terms of layout changes, Madeley Saw little change other than the replacement of mechanical with Electric The Bay at Wellington also was rendered useless with the introduction of through services from Shrewsbury and beyond meaning the bay became very underused. Lightmoor Jn was abolished altogether the entire line being singled, though the box was saved and is now in use by the Telford Steam Railway as they hope to one day re-connect their line to NR via the signal box. Cosford saw the goods loops unusually retained (including the 5mph speed limit in/out of them) and the RAF siding was re-layed and had a 2nd track added to form 2 tamper sidings. Codsall also saw its crossover retained and signalled!, the box here I also believe was saved by the dean forest railway and is now I believe operational again! Though 1 box survived the 2006 re-signalling and that's Oxley! the box managed to solder on fringing with Madeley Jn and Wolverhampton though lost its AB and reverted To TCB for the next 4 years. The Final Era from 2010 Shows the full "digital" Layout as Oxley CS box was abolished (and quickly demolished), ending semaphores on the line, the layout was changed considerably and the BI-DI of the DGL, all 4 wash roads signalled with main aspects. The area didn't pass to Madeley Jn it instead went to the West Midlands Signalling Centre In Saltley under the new code "OS" - Meaning Oxley To Shrewsbury Section, The lines also changed from "Down Main/Up Main" To the "Down Wellington/Up Wellington" In 2012 The signal box at Madeley Jn also closed with the WMSCC taking control though keeping the "MJ" code, meaning the "OS" seems rather useless now unless the WMSCC is itself absorbed which is when they'd change the "MJ". Then in 2015 Wolverhampton PSB closed too meaning the entire line (bar Shrewsbury) is in the WMSCC. plus as of 2022, it's now 20 years since the changes first began up in Wellington. The sim is largely simple, and wouldn't be terribly interesting but with older TT's (with shunting at Oxley) it could be made a fun solo sim. I do have a larger mock in the works, which will most likely be the next mock following this :)   
Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Last edited: 25/01/2022 at 09:00 by elltrain3 Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 25/01/2022 at 12:22 #143812 | |
bill_gensheet
1413 posts |
A few thoughts: Your 'Hollinswood' shown as 'Oakengates Castle Cement' in Quail 1990, and was a simpler trailing point & fixed diamond not a ladder. Wellington was a general goods yard, used mainly for running round trains for MoD Donnington and also tanked wine from Italy. Some domestic coal too. See https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/70626-goods-yards-and-freight-handling/page/5/ which has several posts containing details of train workings, timings, images etc. Lightmoor Jn was not for the GW Bridgenorth - Shrewsbury line. It was a line from Wellington. The SVR route was south of the river, joined at the power station site then splitting at Buildwas Jn for Shrewsbury or Craven Arms. http://www.npemap.org.uk/tiles/map.html#366,304,1 See http://www.ironbridge-railway-trust.org.uk/index.html Service wise, 1922 was separate Worcester - Bridgnorth - Buildwas - Shrewsbury and Wellington - Buildwas - Much Wenlock - Craven Arms. Madeley - Lightmoor looked freight only. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: elltrain3 |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 25/01/2022 at 12:48 #143813 | |
Meld
1111 posts |
Quote:The sim is largely simple, and wouldn't be terribly interesting but with older TT's (with shunting at Oxley) it could be made a fun solo sim.Thinking about it, any era would be pretty busy on the Oxley panel/box - currently everything arrives at the down side has to do CETs on either Down Roads 5 & 6 then shunt to Down Siding 1 for the Washer. After washing then hey need to be stabled for the next days services in both Up Sidings 3-7 or on the Down Wash Roads Earlier eras using LHCS would have shunting throughout the day as well. Passed the age to be doing 'Spoon Feeding' !!! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: elltrain3 |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 26/01/2022 at 10:59 #143820 | |
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elltrain3
369 posts |
Thanks all changes made, and yeah Oxley would be a challenging panel prior to and after the Morn/Eve Peaks! Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 27/01/2022 at 00:14 #143834 | |
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Class415
6 posts |
Good Early morning everyone (or whatever ever time of day or night it is for you, I have attached a mock-up I did for the Line Between Aberdeen to Inverness around the late 90's. I have also added my interpretation of how Scottish Region Tokenless block machines could look in SimSig. I have also tried to represent the arrangement at Nairn With effectively three boxes with the Booking office having a frame that slots the starters for both direction and also houses the token machine for the line towards Forres, A few notes, I have not added any of the foot or AHB crossings yet, I might do a post 2000's era with Nairn Being Colour Lights but with the Majority of the line still being single track with semaphores. I have effectively split the Mock-up into two halves with the Left hand end from Eglin West to Dyce being Tokenless Block and the Right hand end From Eglin to The booking office at Nairn being EKT Any Comments or constructive criticism would be helpful as this is the first mock up I have ever done (Of a real Location) 
Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Last edited: 27/01/2022 at 00:20 by Class415 Reason: None given Log in to reply The following user said thank you: elltrain3 |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 27/01/2022 at 11:53 #143837 | |
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Class415
6 posts |
Here is the 2000-2017 version with the Boxes at Nairn being closed along with a 2017-2019 version with the line between Nairn to Elgin being controlled from Inverness and Forres being completely rebuilt. I have also done a slight track layout alteration at Nairn, basically I forgot to add a siding. I'm probably not going to to a 2019-Present version as I cant find any decent maps of the new signal arrangements between Inverurie and Aberdeen.    Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 29/01/2022 at 13:01 #144890 | |
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harrogatesignaller
21 posts |
Well done, looks really good. Interesting era's you've chosen - I really like the one with Nairn Mechanical Boxes still open, it was interesting arrangements with the Token Instrument in the Booking Office and the Signalman using a bicycle to ride to each Signal Box to set the route. I would really like to see this being made. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Class415 |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 29/01/2022 at 17:48 #144892 | |
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Class415
6 posts |
Thanks, If this is ever made I suppose the best way to simulate the bike at Nairn would basically to have every time you release a slot or a token having a 2 minute release timer on the Signals in East and West Boxes. It would also be fun if this is ever made to see how a post 2017 timetable would work. Or is that just me... Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 29/01/2022 at 18:24 #144893 | |
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Ray
211 posts |
Track from Aberdeen to Inverurie has been recently doubled to improve journey times. Track is single for a short section at Aberdeen but doubles after tunnel at Hutcheon Street. Layout at Kittybrewster has been altered. The signal box at Dyce now has been demolished.
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| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 29/01/2022 at 18:38 #144895 | |
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Class415
6 posts |
And Kintore has been repoened
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| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 11/02/2022 at 16:30 #145129 | |
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elltrain3
369 posts |
Hey All, Next Mock is another Biggie! It's Glasgow Central PSB! The P.S.B. here opened in 1961 in readiness for the WCML modernisation, whereby the full route was electrified and 15 New Power Signal Boxes Built at Euston, Willesden Jn, Watford Jn, Bletchley, Rugby, Nuneaton, Norton Bridge, Hartford Jn, Weaver Jn, Warrington PSB, Preston PSB, Carlisle PSB, Motherwell PSB and Glasgow PSB with the only mechanical boxes retained were that of Tamworth L.L., Hademore Crossing, Litchfield TV, Colwich Jn, Stafford No4, Stafford No5, Madeley, Betley Rd, Crewe Basford Hall,Crewe Sth, Crewe Nth, Crewe Coal Yard and Winsford The Power boxes resulted in the closure of 100s of smaller signal boxes, and Glasgow PSB did just that! It took over plenty of boxes up until 1984 when it reached its fullest form. As in 1961 it only took over the areas of Bridge Street Junction, Eglinton Street, Eglinton Street Junction, Glasgow Central, signal boxes. Though by 1984 it controlled most of the Glasgow area. However, on the 17th December 2008, the box closed, and control passed to the WOSSC (Or West Of Scotland Signalling Centre) To which it remains to this day. We Now go through the panels So the Panels! Old Era First, up Central Station and the layout here is rather impressive clearly built for Loco Hauled stock as were most of the 60s PSBs, the layout is complex and the panel would be never be boring with local EMU/DMUs heading in/out plus the long distance Expresses to deal with. After Passing the Famous Gantry the lines spread into plenty of Carriage Sidings, again representing the sheer amount of Loco-Hauled stock there was. Plus an Engine Line for the many engine changes required here. New Era In Post 2008 Times, the layout was kept virtually the same, the shunts for Loco's were removed and platforms 12 & 13 re-added, a few of the Carriage Roads Vanished but not much else changed, bar the complete lack of Loco Hauled stock in most TTs post-2008. Bridge St Old Another Busy Panel now, in charge of directing trains on the right lines for the Station signaller, plus has the fun task of diverging most Local services towards the Cathcart Circle, G&SW etc, the panel also has slotting with the shields panel, for the No1 & No2 branch lines. We also pass the PSB here, which sits in the centre of it all! New Post 2008 the layout here also changed little, as with station, the shunts were removed and track simplified, the slotting also changed with smithy lye CS becoming useless with coaches going out of fashion, and FULL BI-DI now appearing The lack of Auto buttons is one thing it did retain from the PSB due to the busy nature of the panel. Next, Muirhouse The Box Only Claimed this area in 1967, though Bushby Jn and East Kilbride survived till 1974 before being absorbed Old The original panel from 1974 onwards, was a simple but busy one, with the Cathcart circle diverging and joining here Plus the terminus and Larkfield curve's leave here, to their respective panels, the G&SW Mainline also heads off here through Barrhead and towards Kilmarnock and Dumfries and back onto the WCML at Carlisle! the Line was also worked by almost solely 156 units New In 2008 the layout wasn't majorly altered though the GF's removed, a new "splitting distant" added on the approach to Muirhouse North Jn, plus a turnback signal provided at Pollokshields East, and the Barrhead line signalled more densely. Although the line is diesel only, the masts are up and the electrification of East Kilbride & Barrhead isn't far away! Another fun panel that would see constant traffic during the day. Next Up, Polmadie! By Far one of the most complex and largest Panels on the mock! The Panel Appeared in 1973 with the closure of 11 boxes in the area Old Starting where we come of Bridge St, we Pass Larkefield Jn where the lines from Shields and Muirhouse appear, and then almost immediately disappear to another panel! again complex slotting is there! Back on the Mainline, we reach the TMD where the bulk of Locos, Stock and EMU's for the Expresses are stored and would involve plenty of shunting in the older era's We also have the Rutherglen Jns with a small set of sidings plus the Surburban (or Argyle) Lines joining from the Low-Level Lines. they all re-join then control passes quickly to Motherwell PSB. The oddity of this panel is the Auto buttons done in the Western style of "grouping" with one button for most of the panel's signals for Fast & Slow. New In the modern-day, the main change was the increased Bi-Di, lack of shunts and the Clydesdale lines becoming Goods Lines. The Auto's are now placed the standard way, and Rutherglen East Jn was re-modelled to enable faster divergences. other than that little else changed! The sidings are now also little used, with the NR Snow-Blower stabled there! Finally is Shields. covering the lines west of Glasgow, which appeared in 1967 with the closure of the Shield Jn Boxes, but the panel didn't Gain Corkerhill till 1984 when Corkerhill No1 Closed! Making it the last place to be added to the panel Old The older era, shows a post rationalisation layout, with smithy lye still in use but most other lines simplified, such as the former G&SW route to Paisley and Ayr, formerly 4 tracks, now just 2, the lines from Yoker and Muirhouse also join here and converge at Shields Jn before diverging again, either towards, Paisley, a route where delays could have some quite Disasterous consequences! we also pass shieldhall F.D. The Route would deal with plenty of traffic though, both Express and Local The other route is the one towards Paisley Canal where we first pass Shields TMD, the home of pretty much the entire EMU/DMU Fleet of Suburban units so would get very busy in the mornings and evenings, the line to Paisley Canal was un-electrified and worked by 156 DMUs New Post-2008, the layout changed a lot! FULL BI-DI Was introduced on the lines from Bridge St to Shields Jn, and as can be seen, the former 4-track Route To Paisley was upgraded to 3 FULL BI-DI -Tracks allowing for a lot more flexibility, the route to shieldhall F.D. was also retained! The Corkerhill line was also minorly upgraded with electrification added plus a few new signals. Smithy Lye CS vanished too. Since 2008, The 4 Fringe Boxes have also changed! Barrhead Still Fringes and is going strong. Yoker IECC is also still around. Paisley SCC Opened in 1966 and was upgraded in 1985, so was another PSB Scheme absorbing all the local boxes in the area, but it closed On Christmas Day 2011 and control passed to the WOSSC Motherwell was a late opener on the 17th December 1972, replacing numerous smaller boxes and it only stopped absorbing in 2003, it closed On Boxing Day 2019 control passing to the same WOSSC as Its fellow PSBs at Paisley and Glasgow, Though plenty of PSB's survive in Scotland the biggest being Edinburgh PSB/SCC, with Dundee, Perth, Inverness and Aberdeen being some of the others! So another mock and a big one at that! the next mock is one that will chain to this! As usual any issues or mistakes shout me and I'll get them edited. (if it's to do with Pollokshields/Shaws then I can only apologise they confused me while making this xD)   Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 11/02/2022 at 17:46 #145131 | |
bugsy
1766 posts |
Looks like it would make a great sim. Great bit of work on your part. Just a couple of very minor queries on the two era layouts. Firstly there appears to be an "entry/exit" point "to/from" Shields labelled "E" shortly after Bridge Street Junction. (see screenshot) Is the "E" label actually necessary as it doesn't show on the Shield Panel at the same location. ... Secondly (and this could be something to do with my eyesight), I can only see one entry/exit location labelled "D" (second screenshot). Perhaps you could put me straight by advising me where the other location "D" is situated on the layout. Thanks.   Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Everything that you make will be useful - providing it's made of chocolate. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: elltrain3 |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 11/02/2022 at 18:03 #145133 | |
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elltrain3
369 posts |
Thank you! and yep, apologies! the E boundary isn't needed due to the TD anyway and the "D" Boundary goes to the Clydesdale lines on the shields panel just above Shields Jn I've removed the Boundary as it doesn't really work either! The boundaries were the most confusing part when making it! It's such a complex area.   Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 11/02/2022 at 20:32 #145134 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
One tiny criticism: I wouldn't have had breaks A and F, I'd have just put in U-turns. I've seen that on real panels before now.
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| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 11/02/2022 at 21:21 #145135 | |
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bugsy
1766 posts |
elltrain3 in post 145133 said:Thank you!There's certainly no need to apologise. I'm pleased, as I'm sure many others are, that you have taken the time to produce the two layouts. All good stuff 
Everything that you make will be useful - providing it's made of chocolate. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: elltrain3 |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 12/02/2022 at 09:45 #145151 | |
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kbarber
1742 posts |
Sorry to be pedantic, especially with such a superb tour de force. The resignalling of the WCML came in several tranches. There was a Glasgow Central Powerbox in 1960-ish, but it had a much smaller control area and O. S. Nock records that it was an OCS panel, with a (perhaps unique?) method of routesetting in the Clyde Bridge area - after selecting the exit required, the signalman used an outer ring on the switch to select which line across the bridge would be used. Weaver Junction was a little earlier than the other south end powerboxes (because the electrification proceeded north - south, I imagine). The boxes south of Crewe were commissioned progressively starting about 1962/63 until Euston in 1965 (and I believe New Street was then '66 or thereabouts). Warrington - Motherwell were built for the electrification north of Weaver Junction, which took place in the early 1970s; the panel in Glasgow Central was replaced by an NX panel and the control area extended at the same time. Absolutely brilliant piece of work though! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: elltrain3 |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 12/02/2022 at 17:59 #145167 | |
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ajax103
1120 posts |
Always good to see those mockups, I wonder what's next....
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| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 12/02/2022 at 20:10 #145169 | |
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elltrain3
369 posts |
clive in post 145134 said:One tiny criticism: I wouldn't have had breaks A and F, I'd have just put in U-turns. I've seen that on real panels before now.Yeah, the layout on this is over-confusing I'll bear that in mind! bugsy in post 145135 said: There's certainly no need to apologise. I'm pleased, as I'm sure many others are, that you have taken the time to produce the two layouts. All good stuffThanks They certainly take a fair while to make especially the larger onesand I have a few in the works, but the next one will chain to this AJ but don't worry still a few big ones to come! Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 12/02/2022 at 20:20 #145172 | |
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ajax103
1120 posts |
elltrain3 in post 145169 said:clive in post 145134 said:I did send you a massive PM with some suggestions One will be lets say rather interesting to see as a SimSig mockup as it's a area that I am slightly bias to.... And no it won't be a modern era for those who are wondering....One tiny criticism: I wouldn't have had breaks A and F, I'd have just put in U-turns. I've seen that on real panels before now.Yeah, the layout on this is over-confusing I'll bear that in mind! Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 12/02/2022 at 23:38 #145178 | |
elephant_train
2 posts |
What do you use to make these mock ups?
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| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 18/02/2022 at 17:28 #145257 | |
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elltrain3
369 posts |
Hello all, so with storm Eunice howling away and me being unable to get to work, I've had some time on my hands to finish my next Mock! This time it's the turn of another Scottish route, The G&SW! The Mock includes the entire G&SW (Glasgow & South-Western) Route from the British Border in Gretna all the way to the edge of the Glasgow Suburban network at Barrhead. The sim had 3 era's to show the Major changes in the route The Boxes then: Starting in England we see the TD From Carlisle PSB before we traverse Gretna Jn and enter Scotland! Our first box is Annan (Plated AN), Built in 1876 by the G&SW to their Type 1 Design making it 146 Years old at the time of writing in 2022! and contains a 20 lever frame. During the 90s The area is relatively simple and the reason for it being retained is clear, BR Rationalised the trackwork along this line in the 70s & 80s and this section of double track between Annan and Gretna was a casualty, and so Annan works to Carlisle and requires a slot to send trains, The box also has a small fan (about 2) of sidings, used during the 80s but declined rapidly after, they still exist but not used very much. also in the section is Eastriggs MOD, All released from Carlisle 2008 Onwards Post 2008 the layout here drastically changed, to help provide a more frequent service on the line multiple changes were made, the most notable is the re-doubling of the Annan - Gretna section Gretna Green Station also Re-opened in full (having re-opened with 1 platform in 1993 by BR), having closed in 1965 with the "Beeching cuts", the signalling also changed, the Gretna - Annan section was added onto Dumfries's workload and the line transferred from Carlisle, through a 2nd OCS Panel though more strangely Annan was retained and now fringed with Dumfries in both directions, one through TCB and one AB! Next up, Dumfries South (Plated DS) Dumfries was a complex area, once boasting 3 signal boxes, a large Yard, a 6 road shed and was a major junction for the lines to Lockerbie, Manavie and most importantly Stranraer! Dumfries South was a more modern BR Structure being a BR (Sc) Type 16c Design, built in 1955 and fitted with 32 Levers It controlled the once busy entrance's and exit's to Dumfries Yard, though, in the era's we see it, it was more-or-less a simple "pass trains through" box with the yard not being as busy as it once was. The box closed in 1997 and was demolished soon after. Next Dumfries Station (/North) (Plated D/DS, DE - Eastriggs Interlocking) The box here is the same design as south and was built in 1957 and had 30 levers. Although 30 levers remained in the frame the only working levers were 27 & 28 acting as the Up and Down Detonators. The box had a large OCS Panel fitted and was showing its age by 1997, and the panel & frame were replaced by a separate panel in 2000, to which the same panel survives today. The "old" layout was one that once screamed loco-hauled, it had a centre road, goods sidings and access to the yard, plus the Maxweltown branch which served an ICI Chemical works, and was all that remained of the "Port Road" to Stranraer after it's closure in 1965 the box also featured a sole remaining pair of stacked shunts, to which in 2022 Perth is the only place to see these in use! They were an LMS idea and were a colour light equivalent of their Mechanical Counterparts. In the "modern" era things become a lot simpler, the centre road vanished, Yard reduced to a sole ent/exit road and the ICI Works returned to nature (the works have since ceased all rail-links and the connection is now severed), the box also absorbed Dumfries South's area though nothing else changed. A Wrong road starter also appeared on the Down Dumfries to allow for Carlisle - Dumfries shuttles in the new TT Now we head away from the busy town of Dumfries and reach Holywood (Plated HW) The box here is a G&SW Type 7+, one of the last built by the company before being absorbed by the LMS, and shows how the line gained "new" boxes even before transfer to the LMS, it is fitted with 23 levers and a gate wheel. The box is also the one panel that doesn't change over all 3 eras! It retains a fine pair of G&SW Block Instruments (like most boxes on the line) and has the only wheel-worked gates in Scotland, as well as being one of only a handful to retain gate wheels in the country! Next is Thornhill (Plated TH) The box here has a fun story! The present box was opened by the LMS in 1943 to their "ARP" design (Type 13c) and is fitted with 30 Levers The box starts in the oldest era with an Up Goods Loop and small siding and was probably busy during wartime with recessing freights, but the box in the 80s wasn't overly busy. Now we go into the 90s and a dark time for this box, with rationalisation underway and the line becoming quiet the box sadly lost its loop and siding, just retaining the trailing x-over. The box was switched out and remained this way for a lot of the 90s, It's future looking bleak! However......in 2000 with coal traffic on the rise, the loop was re-instated and was laid to Passenger standards, and the box again became regularly manned! We see in the last era, the box retains its closing switch and although coal traffic has largely ceased the box remains open! Next is Carronbridge The box opened in 1871 by the G&SW and was fitted with 13 Levers and a closing switch the box was a simple affair and went about its job until 1983 when Box and Station closed and the block section extended to Kirkconnell Kirkconnel is another G&SW Type 7+ Structure Dating from 1911 and fitted with 42 levers The box's area has changed a lot over the era's Starting in the early 80s: The box has loops in both directions, plus a yard and 2! Co-acting signals the Down Starter and Up Home, the station also managed to survive the 1965 cuts and was the only one between Carlisle & Kirkconnel to do so, with Sanquar re-opening in 1994 In the 90s we now see the box has gained a closing switch, and both loops have gone the Down loop becoming a long siding. Now in the final era that closing switch is still there but thankfully not used as much as it was, and bar a few replacement signals little has changed! Next up, New Cumnock (Plated NC) The box here is one of the few that managed to not do too badly after the cuts, It opened in 1909 by the G&SW to thair 7+ design again, and had 40 Levers. The box has a simple layout and over the 3 eras's the only major change is the replacement of Up Co-acting No2 starter 37, and the fringe boxes. The box also has a smaller panel to control Bank Jn and the lines to Greenburn and Knockshinnock collieries. Next Auchinleck, Which only opened in 1957 to the same design as the Dumfries Boxes, and replaced 2 boxes. The New box had 60 Levers, and a large area full of shunting, though by the 80s it only retains 1 set of sidings and a headshunt Plus a closing switch. The box closed in the late 80s along with Barony Jn. Barony Jn (Another late 80s Closure) was Built by the G&SW in 1916, and by the 80s had been switched out for a number of years as the colliery's it served (Pits 1,2,3&4) slowly closed. It closed with Auchinleck and was demolished soon after. Next is Mauchline Jn (MA till 2003 when it became MM) Opened by the G&SW in 1887 to their Type 1+ Design, and fitted with 23 levers, making it one of the oldest on the line along with Annan. The box boasts the first Junction to survive the 1965 cuts after Dumfries, and the diverging line heads to Newton-On-Ayr on the Paisley Sim and works the line through Tokens, the box also has a closing switch. In the modern era, the box now works to the West Of Scotland SCC, though still uses the token system! Next Up Hurlford (Plated H till 2003 when it became HF) The box here was opened in 1924 By the LMS to their distinctive Type 12 Design and had 20 levers The box's purpose was to control access to the various industry's that required a rail connection, though by the 80s & 90s none survived and the siding retained was out of use. It Worked TCB To Kilmarnock Panel. Sadly in 2007 Kilmarnock box suffered a fire, and to save costs, Hurlford was fitted with a closing switch and switched out Permanently, the section extended from Kilmarnock - Mauchline Jn, since then the box has been raided for spares and boarded up so is unlikely to ever re-open :( Next up, Kilmarnock (Plated K) Opened by BR in 1976 the panel here replaced numerous boxes in the area and coincided with track rationalisation. The box's layout has changed surprisingly little since opening, the most major change being the addition of AB to Hurlford The box suffered a large Fire in 2006 though was back up and running by 2007 and the changes at Hurlford happened a year later. The layout is nice and simple, with all lines BiDi platform 4 & 3 for Glasgow Via Barrhead services and then 3 for through services to Ayr, plus 2 Bays and plenty of sidings, in the modern era's with coal traffic careful planning is needed when chained to Paisley as accepting a through service from Barassie means you need P3 empty and the line clear all the way through the Panel! The box works TCB To Paisley SCC/WOSSCC & Hurford (Pre-2008), AB To Hurlford (Post-2008), and Sc Tokenless Block to Lugton! We also now meet a new system, Scottish Region Tokenless Block! To which many explanations can be found online and in the SimSig forum! Next, Lugton! (Plated LU) Another LMS Type 12+ Box Opened in 1929 and fitted with 35 Levers, controlling the former double track from Kilmarnock through a passing loop and then onto Barrhead, plus a small branch to the MOD Munitions Factory at Giffen. The box prior to 2008 was a simple affair, a simple passing loop with Scottish Tokenless Block both ways, plus an Up Siding However in 2008 Plans were underway to Re-Double Stewarton - Lugton! and later that year those plans were completed, Lugton gained a longer loop and full Bi-Di working of both Main & Loop lines. The box also retained the Tokenless Block using a Tail Lamp Camera at Stewarton, the MOD line was also disconnected. From here we leave the former G&SW Lines and join the G&SW/Caledonian Joint Lines for the run into Glasgow, so our next box at Barrhead is a Caledonian Type S4 opened in 1894 and has 25 Levers. The box here supervises the limit of Glasgow Surburban services and is electrified, though the points are still mechanically operated! Since 2008, Some things have changed, Barrhead is slated for closure with the rapidly Expanding WOSSCC The Sc Tokenless Block Between Kilmarnock & Lugton has been abolished, Replaced by TCB and Paisley SCC has gone, replaced by the WOSCC Paisley Desk(s) and Hurlford is now looking increasingly worse for wear. aside from those, all the boxes are going strong and all remain open and pulling levers! So there is another Mock, linking to Paisley, Glasgow Central & Carlisle! Hope You Enjoy it! Of note are the "closing switches" which I've included as it'd allow the sim to be run solo but also replicated real-life when most boxes were switched out, as you could have some lengthy sections such as Holywood - New Cumnock (90s)    Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 06/03/2022 at 12:47 #145619 | |
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elltrain3
369 posts |
Hello all! It's time for my next mock! This time we head to the centre of the country! I've Named the mock "Calder Valley" though I feel there are multiple possible names for it! Compromising 5 panels In the old era's this would be a quiet mundane little sim, though a good one for chains to "fill the gaps" The Panels then! First, the biggest panel at Mill Lane Junction, the L&Y Box here opened in 1884 and fitted with a 55 lever frame and the area was rather complex! the current Interchange station was once Bradford Exchange and was split into 2 halves being operated jointly by the L&Y and by the GNR with each having their own box, though Mill Lane Jn is where the 2 companies merged to form their routes to Leeds (GNR) and Halifax (L&Y) respectively, though in 1976 the 2 station boxes were abolished, along with (L&Y) Bowling Jn, Low Moor No1, No2, No3, Wyke and Lightcliffe, plus Numerous boxes between Mill Lane Jn & Leeds, including the former junction at Laisterdyke towards Halifax. The box took control of this area from an IFS Switch Panel, and a much-simplified layout. The once-grand 10 Platform Station (5 L&Y, 5 GNR) was reduced to a 4 platform interchange with buses. Though small labels hint at the history, the line names "W", "E" & "M" stand for "West" - Referring to the Ex-L&Y Lines "Middle" - The former Centre road "East" - Referring to the Ex-GNR Lines and these Letters even made it into the York ROC! I have made the IFS (Individual Function Switch) Panel in SimSig for authentic operation, meaning each point and signal must be operated like a lever frame would, just with a simple click rather than the pull of a lever. In the older era, the through siding associated with springmill st (the L&Y Goods Depot) still existed, and the former loco shed also survived though these were both largely OOU by 2009, Macintyres siding however does survive (Ableit overgrown) in all 3 eras! The panel also has the sole crossing on the simulation at Duckets. Next is Halifax SB The box here opened as Halifax East in 1884 with the opening of the line to Bradford, it started with 52 levers, though by 1892 the box had 70 and was one of 3 boxes in Halifax, though from the 1960s the area was starting rationalisation, Halifax Goods Yard was converted to a ground frame in 1968, with Halifax West closing in 1969, upon this change Halifax East became just plain Halifax and had it's 70 Levers replaced by an IFS Panel. In 1970 Dryclough Junction SB Closed and Halifax expanded to include the area formerly controlled by Dryclough Jn. The box remained in that form for all its life, again I've made the IFS Panel here for authentic operation. IT's worth of note the use of AB between here and Mill Lane Jn! Next, we take the Branch Line and reach Greetland Signal Box We are now on the L&Y lines between Wakefield & Manchester, and Greetland No2 is a recent addition being built in 1941 by BR and fitted with 55 levers, the box was changed in 1966 to control emergency replacement of an automatic signal on the Up Branch, following the closure of Halifax West, at this time it also became plain Greetland when No1 box closed, During the 1990s the box was largely switched out, though in 2000 it was switched in again, and became regularly staffed until 2009 when the lever frame was closed and a small panel added temporarily prior to the area going to the York ROC Along with adjacent Elland and Healey Mills Signal Boxes, the box closed in late 2009 with York ROC Taking over under the "HM" Prefix Again A lever frame has been made to make it authentic. Next up is my personal Favourite on the route, Milner Royd Junction The box here is one of the oldest in the area opening in 1878, 10 years prior to the ones at Halifax & Bradford as this box opened with the line to Wakefield, the Halifax lines added in 1888 the box has 20 lever's and as can be seen does a simple job, and would be a fun box to operate, with (in the old era) 2 AB Sections and 1 TCB. when Greetland Closed in 2009 the "Branch" Lines became the Up L&Y Down, quite appropriate to their original builder, operationally nothing changed, the box was then reduced to 1 block instrument, and like the one at Hebden Bridge, it was the last original L&Y Instrument left on network Rail! The Box closed in October 2018, ending 140 YEARS! of signalling at this small junction! It's also worthy of note the 2nd route to open (that towards Halifax & Bradford) became the "Main" when the new route opened with the original L&Y route to Wakefield became the "Branch", So the L&Y clearly saw the Bradford Line as their "Main" Line with the original Wakefield as the "Secondary" Route! Next and Finally it's Hebden Bridge! The box here opened in 1891, presumably replacing the original box and opened with 38 Levers, the box has led a simple life and fits in nicely with the immaculately restored station next door, the block section's haven't changed largely either with Mytholmroyd (West) & Sowerby Bridge (West) being the only intimidate boxes, both closing in 1985, although clearly, that wasn't the correct choice as in the early 2000s MR8 & HB7 were commissioned as IB's to shorten the block section between the boxes! The Other fringe was originally to Hall Royd Jn SB, Though that closed in 1972 when Preston PSB Opened and the box was absorbed. All 4 of the main Boxes, (Hebden Bridge, (127y) / Milner Royd (140y) / Halifax (East) (134y) & Mill lane Jn (134y)) closed in 2018 ending mechanical signalling on the L&Y's main corridor, it also ended the use of L&Y Block instruments on Network Rail! The modern layout is mich simplified though other than the additional signal's the track layouts are largely the same, all 4 of the boxes remain (3 as listed buildings), though fittingly the route from Rochdale - Wakefield has become the Up L&Y Down, with the former "main" route becoming the Up & Down Halifax, fitting the original L&Y route has reverted to its original name!   
Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Last edited: 06/03/2022 at 12:52 by elltrain3 Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 06/03/2022 at 13:13 #145620 | |
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ajax103
1120 posts |
Just one obvious thing to point out, have a look at Bradford Interchange area and tell me what's wrong please? It's the same issue on all the maps btw.... Log in to reply |
| A little Mock-SimSig Fun! 06/03/2022 at 13:18 #145621 | |
jc92
3685 posts |
Rather than being uneccesarily cryptic.... Stabling siding is misspelt, as is Stanningley tunnel "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |