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Manchester South Manual

Official Files

Title	Version	Released
Simulation (Payware)	1.12	18/04/2023
08/04/2015 WTT (Midnight, 0400 & 1400 starts included)	5.1	27/11/2022

Additional user-written timetables are available to download here .

Introduction

The simulated area is that of both Manchester South signalling centre, an Ansaldo product, and Macclesfield signal box.

Due to the nature of the style of signalling centre at Manchester South, there are some unusual features. While most will be documented within the manual, there may be a few not noted.

Start-Up Options

Scenarios

Normal running

A normal day; no line closures.

Bi-Directional line closure

A random section of line within the bi-directionally signalled portion of the route from Sandback to Cheadle Hulme is closed. For example, the Up line may be closed between Sandbach and Goostrey crossovers.

Other Options

Scale of problems: Select 'None', 'Low', 'Medium' or 'High' to set the probability of late running and equipment failures.

Features

ACI

Automatic Code Insertion is provided at Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Macclesfield (the stations most likely to see terminating trains).

Electrification

All lines in the simulation are electrified with 25kV overhead, with the exception of the Up/Down Middlewich. The Down Middewich is electrified for a short distance to permit an electric loco to reverse behind Signal 3820.

Panel Notes

Manchester South SCC

Bi Directional Working

Manchester South Signallers need to change the direction of travel before they can take advantage of the bi-directional working. This has been simulated by requiring the user to cancel any routes in the current direction of travel before clicking on the relevant direction-of-flow arrow to select the opposing direction.

You are not required to carry out the above procedure to cross an Up train into the Down platform at Alderley Edge, or into Platform 3 at Wilmslow.

SGRCs

There are a number of Signal Group Replacement Controls through the sim. Each one of these replaces any signals which are within the red line to either side.

The SGRCs are Right Click to activate, and Left Click to replace.

Sandbach

When routing towards Crewe, be sure that you have the correct route set. The line to Crewe Salop Goods bypasses Crewe Station, and vice versa. Although these lines are shown together in sim, in reality they split just short of Crewe, with no further opportunity to switch trains between lines.

A Flashing Yellow sequence is provided from the Up Main to Platform 3 at Sandbach; note that one isn't provided from 4048 to 3722.

Middlewich

At Middlewich, when sending a train to Northwich, you control the route into the loop, Greenbank controls the route out of the loop. When receiving a train from Northwich, Greenbank sends you a train, they route into the loop, and you route from the loop.

Wilmslow

It is not possible to route from Signal 3893 to 4135 while a route is set Signal 4136 to 4134 and vice versa.

Alderley Edge

Signals 4105, 4107 and 4109 form triple red protection. These will clear as expected with the normal passage of trains.

Cheadle Hulme

There are restrictions on which routes can be set simultaneously over the junction. This is down to the positioning of Points 5250. When trying to set such routes, you will get a message along the lines of “No Overlap Available”, or “Subroute Locked in Opposite Direction”.

For example, if you have a route set, Signal 385 to Signal 391, along with the route, Signal 4390 to Signal 4388, you cannot set the route, Signal 4125 to Signal 4395.

A SPAD indicator is provided for signals 391 and 3887.

Macclesfield

All platforms are permissive .

Multiplayer & Chaining

The simulation is ideal for a single player.

The simulation chains at all fringes:

Simulation	Location
Cheshire Lines	Northwich South Jn
Crewe	Crewe
Crewe	Salop Goods Junction
Manchester Piccadilly	Styal
Staffordshire	Kidsgrove
Stockport	Edgeley Junction No.1

Provision exists for the simulation to chain at other fringes, should the corresponding simulation be developed in the future.

Hot Keys

In addition to the standard shortcut keys , the following are available:

Key	Panel Area
1	Left hand side
2	Right hand side

Acknowledgments

Simulation by: James Pedrick (Pedrathome)

08/04/2015 WTT by: John Mills (Meld)

Reference Section

Signal Number Plan

Manchester South Signal Number Plan

This is an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer you can get a free download of the latest version from the Adobe website . Use the built-in Find function (Ctrl+F) to locate signal numbers.

Signal Box Prefix Codes

Code	Box
CE	Crewe PSB*
EY1	Edgeley Jn No.1*
GK	Greenbank*
MD	Macclesfield
MP	Manchester Piccadilly*
SJ	Salop Goods Jn*
SOT	Stoke-on-Trent SCC*

*Fringe box, signals not controlled in this simulation

Non-prefixed signals are controlled by Manchester South (MS)

Platform, Loop & Siding Lengths

Platform Lengths

Location	Platform	Length (m)
Adlington	All	168
Alderley Edge	Down	172
	Up	128
Bramhall	Down	141
	Up	183
Cheadle Hulme	1	167
	2	167
	3	121
	4	183
Chelford	Down	125
	Up	167
Congleton	Down	151
	Up	171
Goostry	All	167
Handforth	All	165
Holmes Chapel	All	167
Macclesfield	1	305
	2	268
	3	268
Poynton	Down	167
	Up	168
Prestbury	Down	124
	Up	168
Sandbach	1	165
	2	168
	3	168
Wilmslow	1 (Down)	302
	1 (Up)	266
	2	222
	3	320
	4	275

Loop Lengths

Location	Loop Name	Length (m)
Chelford	Down	849
	Up	905

Splash Screens

A collection of photographs from the real-life Manchester South SCC

Version History

Version History

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Last edited by Steamer on 18/04/2023 at 16:07