Lancing Simulation Manual

I would like to thank the following people, in no particular order, without whose help and patience, this simulation would not have been possible: Thanks to Geoff Mayo for creating SimSig and allowing me to become part of the development team, Noel Young for preparing the default TTs, and the (very) testing team Neil Brady, Howard Potter, Chris Lord, Andy Greenland, Dave McCormick, Noel Young, Matt Cooper, Ben Woodward, James Nelhams and Daniel Wilson. The staff at Lancing signal box for allowing me access to their place of work and putting up with numerous questions, and anybody else I have missed out.

The current Lancing simulation allows you to control the area controlled by one of three signallers in Lancing signal box. This version of the sim controls from between East Worthing and Lancing to just to the east of Portslade where a fringe is made with the Brighton simulation. All lines in the simulation are worked according to the track circuit block regulations for train signalling.

Our journey through the Lancing simulation starts at Worthing, located at the top right. With the up and down Brighton and the up loop in the station area. You have a choice of three entry points here with the entry from platform 3 only being for trains that have terminated at Worthing and are re-starting in the up direction. All signals in the station are controlled automatically by the simulation and as such are not part of your control. Working east the train passes through East Worthing, which is little more than a halt to arrive at Lancing. Here the first of many CCTV crossings is encountered. As you pass over the crossing you pass the box on the up side of the line. Between Lancing and Shoreham-by-Sea you pass the flight path of the airfield at Shoreham to cross over the river Adur. As you cross the river bridge coming in from the left is the former line that linked Shoreham with Horsham via Beeding Cement works, the line between Beeding and Christ’s Hospital was closed in 1966 while the remaining stub between Beeding and Shoreham closing in 1980. As you enter Shoreham-by-Sea station you pass over the station level crossing, one of two CCTV crossings at Shoreham to enter the station itself. Leaving towards Hove you pass over Shoreham Ground frame and almost immediately pass over Shoreham East CCTV level crossing and head through the stations at Southwick and Fishersgate to pass over the last CCTV crossing at Portslade. Leaving Portslade you now head out of the control of Lancing signal box and pass into the control of Three Bridges Panel 6. On the approach to Aldrington you pass the site of the former Devil’s Dyke branch and finally arrive at Hove. Hove station like Worthing is set up with three entry points and all the signals are worked automatically by the simulation. Apart from Hove and Worthing all stations are two platforms and up and down lines.

The simulation is laid out in the same orientation as the panel in Lancing signal box with up trains running from left to right on the sim.

The following features are included in the Lancing simulation.

1. Numerous CCTV level crossings within 6 simulated miles.
2. Realistic route setting on the controlled signals within your area.
3. Ground Frame at Shoreham East.
4. All controlled signals are one button control, there are no ‘exit’ signals.

1. The daily telephone test between Shoreham Airport and Lancing signal box

The following user selection options are provided on the Lancing simulation.

• Beginner – This option allows the simulation to run in easy mode, and everything should run perfectly.
• Standard – A standard simulation with a small chance of the odd trackside failure and possibly some delays to the days service. This option will also enable easy mode.
• Difficult – A difficult shift, you should expect a reasonable amount of disruption, both in terms of failures and also delays.
• Leaf Fall – The leaf fall season is now with us, the leaves are falling en mass and the drivers are now driving according to the prevailing conditions.

The following scenarios are included as part of the Lancing Simulation.

• Timetable Developer – No Simulation problems or delays, this should be selected along with the Beginner option.
• Standard - Normal running, no lines or platforms closed. Limited temporary speed restrictions, trackside failures, delays and disturbances. This is designed for use with the Beginner or Standard simulation option

The simulation of Lancing Panel 1 includes the realistic display that the real signaller gets in his day to day job of signalling trains on this part of the Coastway West lines. When you set a route from any signal the only indication you get that the route has set is that the signal stem will light up in white. All signals in Lancing will TORR as the train goes past them and there is no option available to turn TORR off. Users please note that in the easy mode that the route lights will work as normal. This portion of line is very busy and as such you will find that times to get the level crossing barriers up is very limited, so take note of the calling pattern of each train that runs. Stopping services may give you a window of opportunity to get those barriers up.

For the purpose of timetable writers the following locations are Mandatory.

• Hove. The timetable must include platform allocations.
• Shoreham-by-Sea.
• Worthing. The timetable must include platform allocations.

1. An overview of the whole length of the panel, You are controlling the right hand end of this.
2. Lancing Station looking west (Towards Worthing), Passengers are awaiting an up service. In the foreground is the level crossing with LG18 signal visible.
3. Unit 377127 operating a down West Coastway service. The 377 units share duties on this line with the class 313 units.