Table of Contents
SimSig Victoria Central Panel 2APanel 2A covers a short section of the Brighton Main Lines through Clapham Junction and Pouparts Junction, and the whole Kensington Olympia branch towards Mitre Bridge Junction. It also features access to the (now former) Eurostar Depot at North Pole.
Four tracks pass through your panel from Battersea Park to Balham. Trains will typically only be under your control for an average of a couple of minutes; slightly more if stopping at Clapham Junction.
At Pouparts Junction a branch extends off towards Longhedge Junction. This is typically not used by passenger trains but empty coaching stock and freight trains may use it from time to time.
Clapham Junction sees a branch off the Kensington Lines join, forming platforms 16 and 17 at Clapham Junction. Trains from the Latchmere direction can turn around here. Trains from the Balham direction through platform 16 can also reverse via VC595 signal and return via platform 17.
From Latchmere Junction to Mitre Bridge Junction, both lines are signalled for fully bi-directional working. Normally left hand running should be observed but right hand running can be permitted. Right hand running is only very rarely used for regulation purposes in normal working - i.e. without any disruptions or failures it would rarely be used.
White Direction of Flow indicators adjacent to each line show the current direction the section of line is locked into, or grey if not locked. It is not possible to set a route into a section if the Direction of Flow indicator is lit in the opposite direction.
The automatic signals will default to red until a train is signalled onto the line, whereupon they will "tumble down" to proceed aspects, as conditions permit. The signals will return to red once the train has passed, and won't re-clear unless another route is set into the section.
Four reception roads exist on the Down side of the lines. When routing into the reception roads, you may use any of the four roads, however, a slot must be requested from the appropriate entry signal (VC813 or VC815).
Trains can also be routed into the Departure Road. There are two exit arrows on the screen. The white arrow gives a shunting aspect to the driver at VC813 or VC815 signals, and does not specifically give permission to enter the depot itself, but as far as the security gate. In later eras this facility is used to turn trains that terminate at Shepherds Bush, run empty to North Pole Turnback Siding, reverse, and return back to Shepherds Bush to form a new passenger service.
Trains to enter the depot via the Departure Road require a slot to be given from either VC813 or VC815 signals, as appropriate. Routing should then be to the grey exit arrow.
For both the Reception Roads and Departure Road, a security gate exists due to the international nature of the depot. The gate is shown across the railway when closed, flashing when opening or closing, and shown away from the railway when open. Routesetting will automatically open the gate, and then they will automatically close after the passage of a train or if all routes are unset through the gate.
Each gate is also provided with a switch to manually open or close the gate, or left to work automatically. To open the gate, left click on the centre circle of the switch. Left click again to return the gate to automatic working. Right click to close the gate. Right click again to restore the gate to automatic working.
North (to the right) of North Pole the track is electrified via the 25kV overhead AC system. South (to the left) of North Pole the track is electrified via the DC 3rd rail system. Around North Pole itself, including the depot reception/departure roads, both systems are in use.
Electric trains that need to stop to change traction power will stop just before the junction to lower or raise the pantograph. This should be a short stop, indicated by a stopping time (rather than passing time) in the train's timetable.
Some trains, such as Eurostars, can change traction power whilst on the move. Eurostars don't actually need to though, since the depot reception/departure roads have both power supplies.
No additional signalling features exist on this panel that haven't already been mentioned.
| Identity | Description |
|---|---|
| PPRTS | Pouparts Junction |
| CLPHMJ | Clapham Junction |
| LTCHMRJ | Latchmere Junction |
| KNOLYM | Kensington Olympia |
| NPOLEJ | North Pole Junction and Depot |
(Also called the Willesden fringe in earlier eras, but referred to here as Wembley Mainline only to avoid clutter)
Both lines are signalled bi-directionally between North Pole Junction and Mitre Bridge Junction. However, certain Down trains must use the Down line, such as trains towards Willesden High Level, as that is the only track with access.
Sending a train on either line towards Mitre Bridge Junction requires permission from Wembley Mainline. However, Wembley Mainline only requires permission from you to send an Up train on the Down line. This permission is granted by setting a virtual route from a fictional signal. A flashing slot indication is provided that shows when Wembley Mainline is requesting such a move.
Both lines are bi-directionally signalled. A slot is required from Wimbledon for the appropriate line from the appropriate signal (VC680 or VC682).
Try not to hold trains at VC637 or VC639 signals, especially Eurostars, as the connection is not very long and they will overhang onto Wimbledon's Windsor Lines.
Note that, in SimSig, this fringe will not chain to the Waterloo simulation; only Wimbledon.
A slot is required from Wimbledon from VC680 or VC682 in order to send trains towards Clapham Junction (Windsor Lines and platform 2). This is true even in the 2014 era, in which the line has been redoubled.
Note that, in SimSig, this fringe will not chain to the Waterloo simulation; only Wimbledon.
The Up line is signalled in the Up direction only so Victoria South Eastern can only send you trains on the Down line. However, the Down line is signalled in both directions and so you can send trains towards Longhedge Junction on the Down line. A slot from VC680 or VC682, as appropriate, is required in this case. Victoria South Eastern do not need a slot to send a train on the Down line, nor do you need one for an Up train on the Up line.
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Last edited by Jan on 30/05/2018 at 18:56