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Cheshire Lines

Official Files

Title	Version	Released
Simulation (Payware)	1.3	17/04/2023
08/04/2015 WTT (Midnight, 0400 & 1400 starts included)	5.2	27/11/2021
09/01/2019 WTT (Midnight, 0400 & 1400 starts included)	5.1	27/11/2021

Additional user-written timetables are available to download here .

Introduction

Cheshire Lines covers the route between Stockport and Hazel Grove and Mickle Trafford along the Cheshire Lines route.

Start-Up Options

Eras

Post Metrolink (Post 1991)

In the early 1990s, Altrincham to Deansgate Junction was remodelled significantly for the introduction of the Manchester Metrolink. After the resignalling, Deansgate Junction controlled what was previously controlled by five mechanical signal boxes into one SSI panel.

This re-signalling work removed any access between Metrolink and National Rail with the exception of a single set of points between the two sides.

Pre Metrolink (Pre 1991)

The pre-Metrolink is not a full era but is a representation for timetable compatibility.

Before the re-modelling of Altrincham to Deansgate Junction in the 1990s, there was a regular passenger service which came from either Chester or starting at Altrincham, proceeding towards Manchester via Sale.

Represented in this era is a representation of the three immediate boxes in which the area received significant alterations which would otherwise prevent older era timetables from working.

Other Options

Level Crossings

It is possible to disable level crossings on startup.

When disabled, you will still see the locations of the crossings, but you will have no controls, phone calls or workstation indications.

Difficulty

Choose the scale of train delays and infrastructure failures. The normal SimSig options of “None”, “Low”, “Medium” and “High” are available. Select which one you wish to play from the drop-down menu. Note that through the manual, “None” and “Low” will be referred to as Easy, and “Medium” and “High” referred to as Difficult.

TORR

The only box which is fitted with TORR is Deansgate Junction. When TORR is disabled, routes on Deansgate Junction will still release, but not on the other boxes.

Features

ACI

ACI has been provided at Altrincham on the Metrolink platforms Only. There is no ACI in either the pre-1991 era at Altrincham or anywhere else in sim.

Absolute Block

Absolute Block is simulated between Plumley West and Mobberley. Please see the Absolute Block manual for operating details.

Panel Notes

Northenden Junction

Here you control the two single line sections, one to Hazel Grove High Level Junction (Shortened to HLJ in sim), and the single line to Edgeley Junction No.1 and Stockport.

Hazel Grove will just send you a train. If you wish to send a train to Hazel Grove, you’ll need to obtain a slot first.

Edgeley Junction No.1 will request a slot to send you a train, and you will need to obtain a slot to send a train to Edgeley Junction No.1. It is not possible to have both slots granted at once, and once given, appropriate points are locked in place to maintain a clearing point.

Deansgate Junction

At Altrincham, Signal DJ25 is a fixed red and thus has no routes available.

Signals DJ505, DJ506 and DJ508 have an auto working facility available. Platform exit signals DJ506 and DJ508 have got priority over signal DJ505. This is triggered by a TRTS on the platform. Signal DJ505 will set routes in the preference of Platform 1 (Main), Platform 1 (Call On), Platform 2 (Main), Platform 2 (Call On). It is however understood that although still present, it is not used by signallers, quite possibly because it is busier these days than it used to be. Additionally, the preference to set a call-on into Platform 1 rather than use an empty platform 2 frequently renders the system incompatible with Metrolink's timetable.

There are no signalled routes between the Manchester tram network and national rail. In reality, the connection can only be used during an engineer's possession, hence the points are collared by default. To send a train across the boundary points PDJ603 will need to be called reverse manually, and train authorised to pass the signal at danger.

Metrolink designate their lines as 'Inbound' and 'Outbound', with respect to central Manchester. For simulation purposes, Inbound is displayed as Up in the train list, and Outbound as Down.

ACI has been provided on Platforms 1 and 2 at Altrincham for tram services.

Metrolink lines are electrified with 750V DC overhead, 'Tramway Overhead' in SimSig. There is no other electrification within the simulation.

In the Pre Metrolink era, your main route through the box is Altrincham, Deansgate Junction, Timperley, with the line to Skelton Junction being the branch.

Skelton Junction to Partington One Train Working

The section between Skelton Junction and Partington is operated by the One Train Working system. The OTW will allow a single train onto the single line section to Partington. When the indication is at CLR, it is not possible to have a train enter from Partington. Likewise, you cannot send a train to Partington when the indication is at OCC, even if the train has left the simulation.

The OTW indications may be reset to CLR to bring the branch into use, or after a track circuit failure has been fixed. To reset the OTW indication from OCC to CLR:

1. Left click the OTW Reset button. It will begin flashing.

2. After 120 seconds, the OTW Reset button will stop flashing. Right click the OTW Reset button to reset the OTW section to clear.

To cancel the reset sequence, left or right click the OTW Reset button whilst it is flashing, or left click the OTW Reset button when solid. If either of the track circuits at the entrance to the branch become occupied, the reset sequence will be cancelled.

Mobberley

Mobberley level crossing contains a split track circuit on the Down Line. This means that the crossing will rise when the track is seemingly occupied. This is per reality.

Plumley West

It is not possible to accept a train from Mobberley with your crossover reversed, nor can you reverse the points unless then block is at Normal, or a train proven to be at a stand at signal PY25.

Signal PY2 to PY3 will only clear with signal PY3 showing a proceed aspect, or berth track occupied. The same applies with signal PY25 requiring PY24 showing proceed, or its respective berth track occupied.

Greenbank

Here you control many of the junctions within the sim.

There is little warning for a train entering from Hartford Junction. The simplifier will assist in preparing for these trains.

The line to Sandbach is a considerable distance, mostly with a line speed of 20mph. It should, therefore, be noted that trains will take a considerable amount of time to transverse this section.

If a call is received from a person wishing to use Forest House Farm crossing, you should place a call to Mickle Trafford Signal Box requesting that trains be held at Mouldsworth before giving permission for the person to cross. The Emergency Alarm should not be used for this purpose.

The section between Hartford CLC Junction and Hartford Junction is vert short, and is further restricted by a single lead junction at either end. It is recommended that two trains longer than 320 meters are not allowed to pass on the section, but rather you hold your train back. This is especially important when chained to the Crewe simulation.

Timetable Notes

4th April 2015

9th January 2019

Level Crossings

Name	Type	Panel
Deansgate Lane	MCB	Deansgate Junction
Field House Farm	TEL	Plumley West
Forest House Farm	TEL	Greenbank
Hale	CCTV	Deansgate Jn
Mercer's	TEL	Mobberley
Mobberley	MCB	Mobberley
Navigation Road	CCTV	Deansgate Junction
Woods Tenement Farm	TEL	Plumley West
Worths Accomodation Crossing	TEL	Greenbank

Multiplayer & Chaining

Cheshire Lines is an ideal single player simulation with a very busy Deansgate Junction panel controlling the Manchester Metrolink. Surrounding areas are quiet in comparason, allowing your much of your focus to be on Deansgate.

The simulation chains at the following locations:

Simulation	Location
Chester	Mickle Trafford
Crewe	Hartford Jn
Stockport	Edgeley Junction No.1
Manchester South	Sandbach

The simulation will not chain to Peak District, due to that simulation requiring an update.

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 (pedroathome)

08/04/2015 and 09/01/2019 WTTs by: John Mills (Meld)

Reference Section

Signal Number Plan

• Cheshire Lines Post 1991 Signal Number Plan

• Cheshire Lines Pre1991 Signal Number Plan

Signal Box Prefix Codes

Code	Box
DJ	Deansgate Junction
EY1	Edgeley Junction No.1
GK	Greenbank
HK	Hazel Grove
MT	Mickle Trafford
MS	Manchester South
MY	Mobberley
NJ	Northenden Junction
PY	Plumley West
WD	Winsford

Platform & Loop Lengths

Platform Lengths

Location	Platform	Length (m)
Altrincham	1	145
Altrincham	2	145

Loop Lengths

Location	Loop Name	Length (m)	Era (Where appropriate)
Altrincham	Up Goods	380	Pre Tram Era Only
	Down Goods	340	Pre Tram Era Only
Skelton Junction	Down Goods	390

Timetabling Details

Generally speaking, if you wish to reverse a train at a shunt signal, the location will be the location plus the signal number, For example, "Plumley Rev PY19". The only exception to this is for trains reversing at Northenden Junction where a reversal behind signal NJ16 counts as Northenden Junction

Version History

Version History

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Last edited by Steamer on 18/04/2023 at 16:00