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Woking

Official Files

Title	Version	Released
Simulation (Payware)	1.3	10/02/2024
Woking SX 2019 WTT (Midnight, 0400 & 1400 starts included)	1.4	06/09/2023

Current versions only shown; old versions listed in Version History

Additional user-written timetables are available to download here Link to simulation's TT download page .

Introduction

Woking ASC opened in August 1997, replacing a number of smaller signalboxes, some of which dated from the 1930s. The signalbox consists of a raised rear supervisory dias with two routesetting panel positions and a large rear indication panel visible to everybody. The train describer features the same style cutouts for the headcode displays as Wimbledon ASC which has ARS: Woking ASC, however, did not get ARS (but the simulation did get it!).

In 27th August 2013 another panel was added, controlling the Aldershot area. This panel is different to the main panels as it is a single, combined routesetting and indications panel. This panel is also included in this simulation, giving three signaller positions.

Start-Up Options

Scenarios

Easy

No failures and limited delays.

Normal

A few possible failures at any one time, and moderate delays.

Hard

Several possible failures at once, and some heavy delays.

Other Options

Bad Weather

Trains accelerate more slowly due to slippery rails, and brake earlier as a precaution against overrun.

Level Crossings Enabled

All MCB/CCTV crossings are under your control if this is enabled.

ARS enabled

While the real life signalling centre does not have ARS, we have provided it for you here as an aide.

(There is junction routesetting in two places but this is not implemented because we have ARS)

Features

The area is nearly fully electrified by 3rd rail DC.

The only significant gradients are on the branches such as the summit at Oxshott, the summit at Fox Hills tunnel, and the Aldershot branches.

Panel Notes

The real signalling centre has one main indications panel, one routesetting panel for two signallers, and a separate third combined indication and routesetting panel for a further signaller. The main panel has a couple of cut lines to reduce width but the simulation shows the main line in one long continuous swathe. Likewise, the third panel has a cut line but the simulation does not.

At the top centre of the simulation is a list of which options are set (from start-up). There are two orange buttons beside this:

- EXT: Toggle external signalbox connections on/off

- IXL : Toggle interlocking boundary lines on/off

Surbiton Panel (Panel 1)

The Down Hampton Court line is bi-directional. The automatic signals will be held at red unless a route is set towards them.

Up trains stopping at New Malden or Berrylands must use the Slow line before Surbiton as there is no platform on the Fast lines nor a way to access the Slow lines after Surbiton.

Signals WK335 and WK134 at Hampton Court Junction have two options to reach the other line (Fast to Slow or vice versa). The default route in each case is a high speed route; the non-preferred route is slower.

Hampton Court has an auto-working facility. The ARS subarea must be switched off and all points not keyed in either position. For Down trains the interlocking will select platform 1 at Hampton Court if clear; otherwise platform 2. The Up trains, a TRTS with the route clear to WK522 will trigger the interlocking to set the route out of the station. In all cases, the level crossing must still be attended to (if level crossings are enabled in the options).

Platform 1 at Weybridge has a similar automatic working facility to Hampton Court, albeit with only one platform available. Note that this will only route from WK901 into the bay, and from WK902 to WK904. Addlestone Junction is not included.

Cooks CCTV crossing has an auto-lower function (AUL). When this is enabled, a train on the approach to Oxshott in the down direction, or approaching Cobham in the up direction, will trigger the lowering. You are still required to operate the Crossing Clear (CLR) button. Routes across this crossing can be left in auto for auto-lowering purposes, but due to a limitation of SimSig, the barriers will not raise with routes set. However, penalties have been disabled for this crossing.

Woking Panel (Panel 2)

Woking features a lot of two-way running on most lines, and plenty of opportunity to get yourself into a mess. Think several moves ahead and, if in doubt, hold trains back until a platform is available. Platform 2 in the Up direction has a warner route option: this should be used in abundance as a lot of trains cross from platform 1 to the Up Fast which is not possible with a full, main route into platform 2.

The Down Guildford line was intended to be bi-directional but was never commissioned. Signal WK612 is thus almost redundant.

Aldershot Panel (Panel 3)

A warning is provided for trains approaching Farnham crossing to remind you to lower the barriers.

A "long" route can be set from WK443 at Farnham to WK449 at Bentley, going via the Up line and past WK1383. This is useful in case a train is waiting at WK445 for the depot.

A "long" route can be set from WK449 at Bentley to WK457 at Alton, going via platform 1 at Bentley.

There is no route from any signal at Bentley into Holbourne Oil Sidings. All trains needing to use that facility must proceed to Alton, run-round, travel back towards Bentley, and then reverse behind WK1391. The train must be signalled into platform 2 at Alton whereupon it will leave the wagons at the up (left) end of the platform and the loco will approach WK459. Release ground frame ''B' by left clicking on the green F circle. Right-click on the N circle to bring up the ground frame control window. Reverse levers 1 and 2 in that order. The loco may ask you for permission to proceed - grant it if safe to do so. The loco will cross over into platform 1. Set the route from WK454 to WK448, and restore the ground frame by repeating the earlier instructions in reverse order. The loco should now be behind signal WK1393, so set a route from that signal into platform 2 with the waiting wagons. The loco will re-join the train and will shortly be ready to depart to Holybourne. Set the route from WK456 to WK448. The train will proceed to WK1391 whereupon it will reverse into Holybourne Oil Sidings, after a brief stop at the stop board at the entrance.

Points 2331 at Farnham are locked normal unless released by the shunter in the depot. You do not need to do anything as the shunter will automatically release the points once a correctly described train is approaching WK445, WK1383, or WK440.

Signal FD803 at Farnham depot is controlled by the shunter. You do not need to do anything if a train is correctly described and routed down to that signal and is scheduled to enter the depot.

Signal FD804 at Farnham depot is controlled by the shunter but requires the signaller to grant a slot. If the WK1382 slot requested lamp is flashing, and it is safe and appropriate to do so, set a virtual route from FD804 to WK436 - this actually grants a slot rather than setting a route. Farnham depot will then release FD804 to allow the train to proceed to WK436.

Moves into Farnham depot are not controlled by ARS and will report "Route set to end of path". Phone the depot to ask for a slot. The depot will respond with one of two destinations - the DEP/REC line or the CSD. Once the slot is given, signal into the appropriate depot arrival road manually. The train will show as non-ARS but this is not a penalty, just a "heads-up" that it is no longer under ARS control.

The Mid-Hants area is simplified due to conflicting information and a change from a ground frame to controlled points at some point. To send a train to the Mid-Hants railway (MHR), bring it into Alton platform 2. Click on the green circle adjacent to signal WK459 to request the slot from MHR. Left-click on the green F circle for ground frame 'A'. Right-click on the white N circle to bring up the ground frame control window. Reverse levers 1, 3, and 2 in that order to swing the points. Now set a route from WK459 to the exit arrow on the MHR. Once the train has cleared all the visible tracks to the MHR, restore the ground frame by normalising levers 2, 3, and 1 in that order. Finally, right-click on the green F roundel to lock the ground frame.

To accept a train from the MHR, wait for MHR to request the slot at AT55 and then grant it by left-clicking on the slot. Left-click on the green F circle for ground frame 'A'. Right-click on the white N circle to bring up the ground frame control window. Reverse levers 1, 3, and 2 in that order to swing the points. Now set a route from AT55 to WK456. Once the train has cleared all the visible tracks from the MHR and is fully in Alton platform 2, restore the ground frame by normalising levers 2, 3, and 1 in that order. Finally, right-click on the green F roundel to lock the ground frame.

Signal WK428 approaching Aldershot has automatic working available for the warner route but not the main route.

The track sections approaching signals WK415 and WK408 at Ash Vale Jn are very short. In the case of WK415 it may be better holding a train back at WK409 if a delay is expected at WK415 with an Up train approaching for Frimley and beyond.

Alton station has an auto working facility. Turn off the ARS subarea before enabling auto control. Similarly, to restore to ARS working instead, turn off the auto control before activating the subarea.

Frimley Bridleway crossing is also known as The Hatches crossing.

Timetable Notes

The included timetable contains a description page.

Level Crossings

Name	Type	Panel	Located Between	Number
Addlestone	CCTV	Surbiton (1)	Addlestone Junction and Virginia Water
Cooks	CCTV	Surbiton (1)	Hampton Court Junction and Effingham Junction
Farnham	CCTV	Aldershot (3)	Aldershot and Farnham
Frimley	Bridleway	Aldershot (3)	Ascot and Ash Vale Junction
Hampton Court	CCTV	Surbiton (1)	Hampton Court

Line Blocks

Interposing BLOK into berth WK323 will cause trains entering from New Malden to use the Slow line instead of the Fast line. Similarly, WK121 can be used for Slow to Fast.

Interposing BLOK into berth WK398 will cause trains entering from Farnborough to use the Slow line instead of the Fast line. Similarly, WK196 can be used for Slow to Fast.

Multiplayer & Chaining

With ARS on and delays minimal, this simulation is very playable for a single player. Woking is the area which must be constantly monitored. Without ARS, the three panels each need their own signaller as they are all very busy.

The simulation chains at the following locations:

Simulation	Location
Basingstoke	Basingstoke
Feltham	Ascot
	Virgina Water
Wimbledon	New Malden

Provision exists for the simulation to chain at other fringes, should the corresponding simulation be developed in the future. These would be Guildford (three connections) and Basingstoke.

Hot Keys

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

Key	Panel Area
W	Woking
S	Surbiton
A	Aldershot
F	Farnham
M	Alton (Mid Hants railway)
B	Byfleet/Weybridge
P	Pirfleet Junction

Keys 1 to 6 focus on the main panel, Surbiton to Pirbright Junction. Keys 7-9 focus on the Aldershot panel, Ash Vale to Alton.

Acknowledgments

Simulation and 2019 timetable by Geoff Mayo with assistance from John Mills, Andrew James, and Nath Ottley.

Reference Section

Signal Number Plan

Woking Signal Number Plan

1xx signals are on the Up and Down slows between Surbiton and Pirbright Junction. 3xx signals are on the Up and Down fasts between the same locations. 7xx signals are on the Cobham lines. 52x and 53x signals are on the Hampton Court branch. 8xx and 9xx signals are on the other branches. 4xx signals are on the Aldershot panel. There are exceptions to this generalisation, especially around Woking.

Signal Box Prefix Codes

Code	Box
AT	Alton (Mid-Hants Railway)*
BE	Basingstoke (West of England)*
F	Feltham*
GD	Guildford*
W	Wimbledon*
WK	Woking

*External signalbox, signals not controlled in this simulation.

Platform, Loop & Siding Lengths

Platform and Loop Lengths

Location	Platform	Length (m)
Aldershot	1	247
Aldershot	2	252
Aldershot	3	252
Alton	1	167
Alton	2	170
Alton	Run-round moves	215m (max length of wagons/carriages; subtract loco lengths for both ends)
Bentley	1	466 (clear of pointwork)
Bentley	2	344 (clear of pointwork)
Farnham	1	268
Farnham	2	249
Farnham Dep/Rec		269
Hampton Court	All	208
Surbiton	All	243
Weybridge	1	205
Weybridge	2	233
Weybridge	3	250
WK408 (clear of Ash Vale Jn)		107
WK415 (clear of pointwork)		45
Woking	1	253
Woking	2	254 down; 251 up
Woking	3	255
Woking	4	254 down; 256 up
Woking	5	289 down; 275 up
Woking	6	127
Woking Dn Yard Rec Road		270
Woking East End Siding		265
Woking Hurdles (WK1207)		89
Woking Neck (WK1209)		45
Woking Up Yard Nos 1 & 2		340
Woking Up Yard Rec		171 (WK1211 to WK1204

Timetabling Details

Parts of the Up Fast around Woking have a special speed class to allow HSTs and WES units to run at 100mph instead of the 90mph PSR for all other trains. The Sectional Appendix should be consulted as to the exact classes of trains allowed to use this - don't use WES or HST if the specific class to be scheduled is not allowed this easement. The additional speed saves around 30 seconds of running time in this area.

Special Decisions

None.

Splash Screens

Filename	Title	Source	License	Notes
Splash1.jpg	Woking station	Flickr	CC BY 2.0	Resized from original
Splash2.jpg	Surbiton station	Flickr	CC BY 2.0	Resized and cropped from original
Splash3.jpg	Hampton Court station	Flickr	CC BY 2.0	Resized from original

Additional Information

None.

External Resources

Woking to Redhill cab ride

Wandsworth Road to Woking cab ride

Staines to Woking Up Yard cab ride

Addlestone Jn to Woking Down Yard cab ride

Version History

Version History

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Last edited by Steamer on 28/07/2024 at 17:38