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Wembley Mainline

Official Files

Title	Version	Released
Simulation (Payware)	1.5	22/06/2022
15/10/2009 WTT (Midnight and 0445 Start included)	5.0	23/04/2021

Additional user-written timetables are available to download here .

Introduction

Welcome to SimSig Wembley Main Line! The real life box was built in 2000, entitled Wembley Main Line Signalling Control Centre, and is located near Stonebridge Park LUL station (near Railnet Jn on the simulation). Four NX panels operate the layout, utilising desk control panels and a rear indications panel. Fourteen SSIs control the area.

Also shown in the simulation is the Royal Mail Terminal at Willesden. In real life Wembley Yard controls this area but as it's just a short stub into a "station", it has been included on this simulation for interest.

Wembley Main Line simulation is arranged for four signallers, as per the real area (ignoring the Royal Mail Terminal for now), but on quieter timetables it is even possible for one player to manage (just!).

The pre-2000 layout at Euston station forms the Euston PSB simulation. The Watford DC lines, which run parallel to the WCML and are drawn on Wembley Main Line's panel, are simulated in Wembley Suburban .

The Future

In December 2014 control of Watford Junction PSB is to be transferred to a new panel at Wembley Main Line SCC. Strangely, this means that the Watford desk in Rugby SCC will not control any of Watford as originally envisaged many years ago!

Start-Up Options

Scenarios

Easy Mode

No delays or equipment failures.

Normal Mode

A normal day, with some late running and chance of equipment failures.

Line X

Due to flooding, the Line X dive-under is closed all day. Traffic from platforms 1-7 will need to cross all incoming traffic on Lines A and B to access the Down Fast or Down Slow, requiring careful planning. Line X remains available through Park Street Tunnel.

Wembley Fast

Engineering work at Wembley Central has closed the Up & Down Fast lines between Willesden North Jn and Wembley North Jn, requiring all Fast line traffic to use either the Slow or Relief lines between those two points.

Park Street Bridge

Emergency engineering work on Park Street bridge has closed Lines A and B. Take care- without planning, a bottleneck can easily develop at Camden South with DC trains having to use Line C. Remember that Line X can be used in both directions.

Features

Electrification

Virtually all lines on the simulation are electrified with standard 25kV AC overhead wires. The exceptions are the lines from Willesden to Acton Canal Wharf and Acton Wells junctions, and the DC line from Camden Jn to Queens Park.

The 'DC' line from Queens Park to Euston platforms 9 and 10, and Camden Jn to Camden Road, are electrified with 750V DC third rail. Trains running on DC can only be routed to/from signals with a pink marker next to them. The relevant lines are dual voltage where they overlap with the AC electrification detailed above.

Panel Notes

Euston Panel

Introduction

Controlling the Euston station throat and immediately vicinity, the Euston panel has the busy platforming to deal with. That said, it is not as busy as some other London termini, despite its size. A variety of platform lengths means any re-platforming must be considered carefully to ensure an inbound train will fit.

Despite a number of possible alternative routes between signals/platforms, the interlocking is only programmed with one possibility per pair, as in real life. Some theoretically parallel moves are thus not possible with this restrictive programming. The theory goes that this was done for reasons of cost, although one wonders to what cost to the train service in the years since installation.

Train Describer at Euston

Each platform at Euston has either two or three TD berths. The leftmost berth is prefixed A followed by the signal number, so platform 1 is A001. The next berth is Bxxx, and the final berth (in platforms 8 to 11) is Cxxx.

Train descriptions will recess to the emptiest berth to the right, so an inbound train coming into an empty platform 1 would step into B001. The second train in would arrive into A001. If there are insufficient TD berths for the number of arrivals then the inbound train will overwrite whatever is in A001.

If a route is set out of a platform then the leftmost TD will step up to the signal (the Axxx berth) if that berth is empty. If the route is cancelled without a train departing then the TD will step back to the right until an occupied berth is found.

If the platform tracks become clear (the one by the exit signal being the trigger) then all TD berths for that platform will empty out.

Note that this TD stepping is fairly unusual for bay platforms / termini, at least outside the Scottish region.

Euston

• There are no routes to signals WM475 and WM501. These signals are fixed red and are there for protection against wrong-direction moves.
• Signals WM17 and WM18 will not show a proceed aspect until WM101 is showing a proceed aspect.
• There are no alternative or non-preferred routes in the Euston station throat. Each path between platform and inbound/outbound line has exactly one route (ignoring main/call-on variations).
• As long as only the track circuit next to the buffer stop is occupied, a calling-on aspect will be displayed automatically. If both track circuits (or in the case of platform 17, more than one track circuit) are occupied, you need the operate the relevant

  track circuit override next to the buffer stop before a calling-on aspect will be displayed. However before doing so, check that the train being called on will fit into the remaining space in the platform.

General

• DC trains to/from South Hampstead must use signals prefixed with a pink wiggly line indicator. The other running lines are not equipped with 3rd rail.
• The Euston panel signals trains in the Up direction from signals WM490/WM308/WM286/WM104/WM512/WM610.
• The Euston panel signals trains in the Down direction as far as signals WM107/WM605/WM289/WM311.

Strategies

Watch the Camden panel as well as your own: not just to see what's approaching, but what might help or hinder regulation on your own panel. For example, it is theoretically possible for two trains to block each other, such as a train from Camden Washer/CSD waiting at signal WM512 and destined for the Backing Out Roads while a train from Euston waits at WM107.

If you need to re-platform a train, consider what might be scheduled to use that platform. Check the platform lengths are suitable.

Camden Panel

Introduction

Perhaps the simplest panel to operate, this is nonetheless still fairly busy. Once Euston sets the route as far as Park Street bridge/tunnels, you will want to be giving the approaching train clear signals as soon as possible. Outbound trains (in the Down direction) will generally be on lines C, X, and E, and will need to be routed to the Down Fast, Down Slow, or Down DC lines.

Up trains should generally be routed towards Euston on lines A, B, or D.

The trackwork around Camden Junction involves flyovers and tunnels - even pointwork inside tunnels! Routing from Primrose Hill to South Hampstead, for example, involves clicking on signals WM801 and 903 with the line entering a tunnel, ducking under the slow lines, joining the Down DC line underneath the Down Slow, and then crossing back under the slow lines before running alongside the slow lines while still in tunnel.

General

• DC trains to/from South Hampstead must use signals prefixed with a pink wiggly line indicator. The other running lines are not equipped with 3rd rail.
• The Camden panel signals trains in the Down direction from signals WM107/WM605/WM289/WM311.
• The Camden panel signals trains in the Up direction as far as signals WM490/WM308/WM286/WM104/WM512/WM610.
• Signal WM313 is capable of showing a single flashing yellow aspect when WM315 is routed towards South Hampstead. Signal WM291 is not capable of this because this signal has feather route indicators which would cause confusion for the driver with a flashing aspect.

Strategies

Up Fast trains may be timetabled for line A but use a more central platform; similarly they may be scheduled for line D but use a lower numbered platform. Consider use of other lines from WM110 if there is congestion and the train can still get to the assigned platform.

While most trains can use the Slow Lines instead of the Fast Lines with very little impact on timekeeping, note that the crossovers at Willesden West London Junction are only 15mph so they could lose time here.

Willesden Panel

Introduction

Willesden Panel is probably the most complex panel in the signalbox. While passenger trains on the fast and slow lines generally head straight through without changing lines, there are a number of freight trains and other trains which have to be routed carefully through the various junctions. The panel also has a number of fringes with other signalboxes - four signalboxes and five fringes to be exact.

Wembley Intercity Depot

• When sending trains towards Wembley Intercity Depot, it is preferable to use the Down line. The Up line can be used but the slot needs to be requested first which may take a longer time for the depot to set up the route.

Royal Mail Terminal

• The Royal Mail Terminal is controlled by Wembley Yard in real life. However, in the simulation you control it. Note that the High Level Goods around the depot is short even though it looks longer on the panel. The distance between WM774 and WM767 is under 200 meters.
• Platforms 4 and 5 are out of use in the Royal Mail Terminal as of 2014.

Kensal Green High Level Junction

• Track 'A' lights up when a train is approaching or crossing over Kensal Green High Level Junction on the Up line.

Acton Canal Wharf

• Track 'J' lights up when a train is approaching or crossing over Acton Canal Wharf Junction and is approaching signal WM661.
• Signal WM859 is a slot. Set the "route" from WM859 to WM661 in order to allow Acton Canal Wharf to route to signal WM661. WM869 will show white when the slot is given.

Acton Wells Junction

• Track 'K' lights up when a train is approaching Acton Wells Junction and is routed towards signal WM626/WM744/WM748/WM1260 on the Up line.
• Track 'L' lights up when a train is crossing Acton Wells Junction and is routed towards signal WM626/WM744/WM748/WM1260 on the Down line.
• Signal WM628 is a slot. Set the "route" from WM628 to WM626/WM744/WM748/WM1260 in order to allow Acton Wells to route towards these signals. WM628 will show white when the slot is given.
• Track 'M' lights up when a train is reversing at Acton Wells Junction (signal AW372) and is routed towards signal WM1260 on the Down line.
• Track 'N' lights up when a train is crossing Acton Wells Junction and is routed towards signal WM1260.
• Signal WM1264 is a slot. Set the "route" from WM1264 to WM1260 in order to allow Acton Wells to route to signal WM1260. WM1264 will show white when the slot is given.
• Signals WM623 and WM743 are approach controlled from red unless signals AW149 or AW150 are off respectively. This is due to the very short section between these pairs of signals.
• There is no route from WM623 to AW150.

North Pole Junction

• Track 'R' lights up when a train is approaching North Pole Junction and is routed towards signal WM811.
• Track 'U' lights up when a train is approaching North Pole Junction and is routed towards signal WM913.
• Track 'V' lights up when a train is crossing North Pole Junction and is routed towards signal WM913.
• Track 'Y' lights up when a train is crossing North Pole Junction and is routed towards signal WM811.
• Signal WM809 is a slot. Set the "route" from WM809 to WM811 in order to allow Victoria Central to route to WM811. WM809 will show white when the slot is given. This signal/slot can be left in auto to allow consecutive trains to arrive from Victoria Central without re-requesting and re-granting the slot.
• Signal WM911 is a slot. Set the "route" from WM911 to WM913 in order to allow Victoria Central to route to WM913. WM911 will show white when the slot is given.
• For trains reversing at WM913/WM811, use the white exit arrows adjacent to signals VC818/VC816. The TD will step to WM913/WM811 instead of transferring to Victoria. Do not use the white exit arrows when trains are heading towards Victoria.

Mitre Bridge CCTV Crossing

Note that the barriers will not raise until the rear of a down train on the Down West London / Down Willesden Relief has cleared the crossover track circuit. This is one track circuit later than what would perhaps be expected.

General

• This is quite a short panel geographically. Trains will approach quickly, and will pass through your area in under 2 minutes when at speed. Plan ahead.
• Signals WM823 and WM925 at Wembley Yard South Junction are controlled by the Wembley panel. Signals WM826 and WM928 are controlled by the Willesden panel.
• Trains reversing behind WM1198 to head towards Acton Canal Wharf will need their TD re-interposing at ACW21 as no berth step exists from WM1198 to ACW21.
• WM334 has a consecutive double yellow with WM332, WM334 will only clear to a green if WM332 is green.

Strategies

Where possible, for trains coming out of yards, sidings, RMT etc, don't set route on to the main lines until the train is seen to be moving. In most cases it will not alter the speed and thus timekeeping due to the low speeds in such areas.

Trains from the Kensington area towards Watford Junction may be scheduled to run on the Willesden Relief lines. However, if the train is late, or the Reliefs are congested/blocked, it may be worth using the Fast/Slow lines instead which will gain the train a few minutes due to the much higher speed limits.

Wembley Panel

Wembley Yard

Wembley Yard contains the European Freight Operations Centre (EFOC). Not to be confused with the Euroterminal which is closer to Willesden.

• When a train is approaching Wembley Yard, click on the "transfer description" buttons to copy the appropriate TD to Wembley Yard. They will then grant a slot based on that description. There is no obvious indication that the request has been noted until a slot has been given, as per real life.
• The word 'BLOK' can be interposed into berths WM791 or WM793 (Wembley Yard North) to tell Wembley Yard SCC to route outbound trains on the other line instead.
• The word 'BLOK' can be interposed into berths WM786 or WM784 (Wembley Yard South) to tell Wembley Yard SCC to route outbound trains on the other line instead.

General

• The word 'BLOK' can be interposed into berths WM342 or WM138 (North Wembley Jn) to tell Watford Jn PSB to route trains on the other line instead.
• If a train is past WM340 and approaching WM338, and a route is set from WM392, then WM392 will be held at red until the train has entered platform 6. This is to avoid the driver from WM340 misreading the signal.
• WM341 will be held at red if WM343 is at red, or a train is nearly stopped at WM341.
• Signal WM392 will not show a proceed aspect if the route was set while an up train was approaching WM338. This is to avoid that approaching train from reading the wrong signal. WM392 will show proceed once the approaching train is close to WM338.
• The white exit arrows on the Willesden Relief lines allow freight trains to call-on, i.e. for more than one train to be in section at a time. Do not use for passenger trains.
• Signals WM823 and WM925 at Wembley Yard South Junction are controlled by the Wembley panel. Signals WM826 and WM928 are controlled by the Willesden panel.
• Signals WM781/WM783/WM785/WM787 will not show a proceed aspect until WM825 is showing a proceed aspect.

Strategies

Watch out for freight trains that stop right on top of Sudbury Jn (RP) for a crew change. They may be there for some time.

Crossing trains at Sudbury Junction is faster than via WM933/WM936. However, trains will be using the Slow Lines for longer - and beware of crew changes at the relieving point (RP)!

Level Crossings

There is one CCTV crossing, at Mitre Bridge Junction.

Multiplayer & Chaining

The simulation can be played by one experienced player, but is better in multiplayer, where four players can be kept pleasantly busy.

The simulation chains at the following locations:

Simulation	Location
Victoria Central	North Pole Junction
Watford Junction	Watford Junction

The simualtion does not chain to Wembley Suburban at present; an update is required to that simulation.

Hot Keys

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

Key	Panel Area
1-8	From left to right
E	Euston area
C	Camden area
W	Willesden area
R	Royal Mail Terminal area
Y	Wembley Yard area
N	North Wembley area

Acknowledgments

Simulation by: Geoff Mayo

15/10/2009 WTT by: Unknown

Many thanks to PP (Guts) for his invaluable help in getting the simulation as true to life as possible. Thanks also to my ICT group for their input, timetabling, and testing.

Reference Section

Signal Number Plan

Wembley Main Line 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 .

Signal Box Prefix Codes

Code	Box
ACW	Acton Canal Wharf*
AW	Acton Wells*
CR	Camden Road*
HL	Willesden High Level*
VC	Victoria Central*
WJ	Watford Junction*
WS	Wembley Suburban*
WY	Wembley Yard#

*Fringe box, signals not controlled in this simulation

#Partial control area simulated here.

Non-prefixed signals are controlled by Wembley Mainline (WM)

Platform, Loop & Siding Lengths

Platform Lengths

Location	Platform	Length (m)
Euston	1	398
	2	376
	3	325
	4	321
	5	275
	6	273
	7	292
	8	254
	9	197
	10	194
	11	258
	12	293
	13	304
	14	306
	15	402
	16	334
	17A	209
	17B	284
	18	245
Harrow & Wealdstone	All	245
Queens Park	All	194
Wembley Central	3	181
	4	148
	5	146
	6	155
Willesden RMT	All	302

Loop Lengths

Location	Loop Name	Length (m)
Acton Canal Wharf Curve	(ACW21-661)	380
Brent	Up & Down Goods No.1	1083
	Up & Down Goods No.2	1083
Kilburn	Up & Down Goods	617
Wembley Yard	Down Willesden Relief (827-829)	439
	Down Willesden Relief (933-936)	261
	Down Willesden Relief (936-934	461
	Down Willesden Relief (829-933)	427
	Up Willesden Relief (931-830)	261
	Up Willesden Relief (929-931)	439
	Up Willesden Relief (936-830)	464
	Up Willesden Relief (931-933)	498
	Up & Down Willesden Relief (933-936)	294
Willesden TMD	Loop	93

Siding Lengths

Location	Siding Name	Length (m)
Acton Lane Recption Sidings	No.1 Rec	410
	No.2 Rec	419
	1192-1186	211
	1190-1186	198
	1189-1191	175
	1214- points 2442	26
Brent Sidings	R&D 1	243
	R&D 2	243
Euston Backing Out Roads	Neck	180
	Road 1	240
	Road 2	141
Euston Middle Sidings	MS1	259
	MS2	255
	103-1002	23
Euston Up Sidings	US1	236
	US2	236
Wembley High Level Goods	779-767	620m
	767-772	250
	772-774	430
	774-779	440
Wembley North LHS	L	32
	M	32
	Neck	132
Wembley Yard	Loco Sidings Neck (788 to buffers)	30
Willesden Euroterminal Depot Line	1189-742	26
	1191-1186	114
Willesden Railnet Reception	All	248
Willesden South West Sidings	Goods (741-624)	171
	Thru Siding	237
	U&D SW Reversible	163
	1185-622	344
	738-622	237
	622 to buffer stops	152
	621-622	415
	624-622	235
	741-622	419
Willesden TMD	Neck (724- buffer stops)	125

Timetabling Details

Timetabling Details

Line Speeds

A broad overview of the speed limits in the area follows. Note not all speed changes are listed.

• 20/25mph in Euston station area
• Up to 50mph in Camden Jn South area
• 75mph Slow Lines past South Hampstead; 80mph Fast Lines
• 75mph Slow Lines past Willesden West London Jn; 90mph Fast Lines; 110mph for EPS on the Fast Lines
• Varying speeds of 20mph to 40mph on the Willesden Reliefs
• 90mph Slow Lines north of Willesden North Junction; 110mph Fast Lines; up to 125mph for EPS on the Fast Lines
• 50mph North Wembley Jn crossing from FL to SL and vice versa
• 15mph WM338 to WM936
• 25-30mph WM336 to WM828/WM932 and WM825/WM927 to WM339
• 15mph crossing FL to SL and vice versa over Willesden North Jn
• 15mph most crossovers in Willesden West London Jn area
• 15mph-20mph Camden Jn to Camden Road.

(Right click and select 'view image' to see full size)

TIPLOC Codes

TIPLOC Codes

Splash Screens

Splash1	Euston station (platforms 1-17) on the real panel
Splash2	Euston station (platforms 1-MS2) on the real panel
Splash3	Wembley Central on the real panel
Splash4	Camden Junction on the real panel
Splash5	Euston station (platforms 10-18) on the real panel
Splash6	Wembley Yard South Jn on the real panel
Splash7	Harlesden Jn, Willesden No.7 Jn and the south end of the Wembley depot complex on the real panel
Splash8	Controls for Willesden No.7 and Willesden South West on the real panel
Splash9	Controls for Euston station on the real panel
Splash10	Controls for the south end of Willesden Railnet on the real panel

External Resources

Pictures

Peter Bennet's photostream

Detailed panel photos of Wembly SCC

Videos

87005 London Euston - Watford Junction Driver`s Eye View	YouTube video taken over the driver's shoulder
London Euston station Rush Hour!	Video of various trains at London Euston
Scotrail Caledonian Sleeper : Inverness to London Euston	Video on board and looking out of the window of the southbound sleeper
The Railway - Keeping Britain On Track : West Coast Mainline (S01E04)	Part of a documentary series with this episode focusing on the West Coast Mainline
Northampton to London Euston | DRIVERS EYE VIEW	Driver's eye view of most of the route from Northampton to London Euston
87005 London Euston - Watford Junction Driver`s Eye View	Filmed during the resignalling of the area, this features a fast train on the slow lines out of Euston, crossing to the Down Fast at Willesden West London Junction

Route Data

Route Listing

Version History

Version History

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Last edited by y10g9 on 22/06/2022 at 20:08