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March Meet Simulation Speculation

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March Meet Simulation Speculation 28/01/2018 at 18:26 #105554
headshot119
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From the meet thread...

As we are just under 5 weeks away from the Birmingham meet, I am please to announce that 3 brand new, never before seen simulations will be on display at the Birmingham meet. Two of these will be open to people being able to play them, and it is hoped that the third will also be available for playing, though it may be limited to testers only, and we'll aim to update you all on that as we go along.

If you haven't signed up for the meet please do so, it will help us gauge the setup.

This thread is for speculation over what the simulations could be. Any meet discussion should be in the other thread.

UPDATED 2nd February

You will have noted in the opening post that I mentioned one of the three new simulations may be limited to testers only... Well the developer and his team of testers have put in a huge amount of effort this week to make me look like a liar! I'm pleased to say that all three simulations will be available for anyone who attends the meet to play on the day.

As an added bonus, if you attend the meet and are the first person to have guessed one of the simulations on show in this thread, you can claim a free pint off of me.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
Last edited: 02/02/2018 at 16:31 by headshot119
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 28/01/2018 at 18:47 #105556
HST125Scorton
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Hmm speculation as you mentioned three never seen before so.. Also I'll stay local in my area ish..
1- Manchester South?
2- Crewe?
3- Warrington?

Aaron (AJRO) | Timetable Writer
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 28/01/2018 at 19:38 #105558
Joe S
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I always like these sort of threads.

I'll add a few I'd like to see:

1) As we've had a few IECCs come up that were previously on the 'cannot simulate' list of old, I'll go with Sandhills.
2) From my local area: GEML Inner & Outer as the Liverpool Street sim now has the option to chain to 'GE Inner' rather than Stratford.
3) Purely for the relaxed nature: Liskeard to Penzance.
4) For the single player: Island Line.

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March Meet Simulation Speculation 28/01/2018 at 19:47 #105559
JamesN
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Machynlleth (Testers Only)

Reading
Guildford

Or am I not allowed to play?

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March Meet Simulation Speculation 28/01/2018 at 20:08 #105560
y10g9
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Reading and Slough?
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 28/01/2018 at 20:35 #105561
ajax103
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y10g9 in post 105560 said:
Reading and Slough?
I'm sure though that we have actually seen screenshots of the above sims in fact I'm sure it was 2016 at the latest when we saw them.

I think that it's never been seen sims before that they are Doncaster (to chain to Peterborough and York/Leeds), Woking (to chain to Wimbledon) and Preston (to chain to Carlisle and Manchester?) with the wildcard being Leicester.

I'm probably wrong but as headshot119 stated and I quote:

headshot119 in post 105554 said:
I am please to announce that 3 brand new, never before seen simulations will be on display at the Birmingham meet.
This would rule out existing simulations even these converted to loader as well as sims we know are in production.

Still as I've not been to a meeting in a while, I am especially excited to learn what these sims are!!!

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March Meet Simulation Speculation 29/01/2018 at 19:55 #105569
DaveHarries
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headshot119 in post 105554 said:
[url=https://www.SimSig.co.uk/Forum/ThreadView/47171]Two of these will be open to people being able to play them

If I was a betting man, which I am not, then I reckon these will be the Australian ones which were seen, albeit not played, at the London meet

headshot119 in post 105554 said:
[url=https://www.SimSig.co.uk/Forum/ThreadView/47171](...)and it is hoped that the third will also be available for playing.

Hmmm. Thinking of what I would like to see I would hope for, but not bet on, one of the following:
- Far West (Plymouth to Penzance, incl. branches)
- Port Talbot (or something else Welsh)
- Stourbridge Junction
- Manchester South
- Manchester East
- Preston
- Walsall

I will wait and see.
Dave

Last edited: 29/01/2018 at 23:44 by DaveHarries
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 29/01/2018 at 20:22 #105571
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Dave - manchester south is located at edgeley (behind no1 and 2 boxes) and controls cheadle hulme to crewe plus other bits. Manchester east covers the former ashburys, romiley and guide bridge boxes. Both are in the same building but in seperate sections.

I'll manchester east too though. It would make a good link to the peak district and huddersfield and manchester north (if it includes stalybridge and ashton moss)

And how about port talbot or hereford/welsh marches.

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 29/01/2018 at 22:00 #105573
Steamer
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DaveHarries in post 105569 said:

- Manchester South (Ashburys ROC)
Thus far, Ashburys ROC controls the former Manchester North area, the Oxford Road/Castlefield/Ordsall Lane area that used to belong to MP, Huyton (per workstation boundaries on the Huyton simulation) and has just taken control of the Blackpool lines.

Most of the boxes in the Liverpool area from Ditton inwards are due to go in when Lime St remodelling is completed.

As JC92 says, Manchester South is a different entity entirely.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 29/01/2018 at 23:46 #105574
DaveHarries
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Steamer in post 105573 said:
DaveHarries in post 105569 said:

- Manchester South (Ashburys ROC)
Thus far, Ashburys ROC controls the former Manchester North area, the Oxford Road/Castlefield/Ordsall Lane area that used to belong to MP, Huyton (per workstation boundaries on the Huyton simulation) and has just taken control of the Blackpool lines.

Most of the boxes in the Liverpool area from Ditton inwards are due to go in when Lime St remodelling is completed.

As JC92 says, Manchester South is a different entity entirely.

Thanks. Not knowing the Manchester setup in any way I thought they were the same. List edited to remove the reference to Ashburys. Manchester South or Manchester East would be great in order to have one whole city (Manchester) in SimSig as well as giving the potential for chains.

Dave

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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 13:16 #105582
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With Preston being a option voiced above, can anyone confirm the existing boundaries of Preston PSB as it is at the moment and from April 2018 if there will be any changes?

It would be interesting to see Preston being simulated with or without the Blackpool branches however for a single player it may be too much?

Still I look forward to seeing the sims

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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 13:58 #105583
headshot119
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ajax103 in post 105582 said:
With Preston being a option voiced above, can anyone confirm the existing boundaries of Preston PSB as it is at the moment and from April 2018 if there will be any changes?

It would be interesting to see Preston being simulated with or without the Blackpool branches however for a single player it may be too much?

Still I look forward to seeing the sims :)
There will be no changes in April 2018. The Blackpool workstation in Manchester ROC was signed in time for services to run to Blackppol South from the start of service on the 29th of January 2018. As far as I know the boundary with Preston PSB didn't change, or if it did it was only by a very small amount.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 13:59 #105584
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Preston boundaries are pretty much the same
Manchester Picc
Manchester ROC (Todmorden and Blackpool Fringes)
Warrington PSB
Carlisle PSB
Carnforth Junction SB
Hebden Bridge SB
Midge Hall SB

Preston would be ideal for 2-3 player option as per real life, adding Blackpool (M9 Manchester ROC) which could be done with 1 player as a small sim ideal for new comers as it has ARS.

Aaron (AJRO) | Timetable Writer
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 14:00 #105585
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ajax103 in post 105582 said:
With Preston being a option voiced above, can anyone confirm the existing boundaries of Preston PSB as it is at the moment and from April 2018 if there will be any changes?
Preston fringes at:
Standish (WCML north of Wigan) (Warrington PSB)
Adlington (Manchester Piccadilly)
Midge Hall (Ormskirk branch) (Midge Hall)
Darwen (Manchester Piccadilly)
Daisyfield Jn (Clitheroe line) (Daisyfield Jn)
Hebden Bridge (Hebden Bridge)
Smithy Bridge (Rochdale West)
Salwick (Ashburys ROC)
Carnforth (Carnforth Station Jn)
North of Carnforth (WCML) (Carlisle)

As far as I know, none of these boundaries are due to change soon. The Hebden Bridge one might move slightly when that box closes and York ROC takes over.

Quote:
It would be interesting to see Preston being simulated with or without the Blackpool branches however for a single player it may be too much?
The Fylde lines (especially in the mechanical era) would probably be a good 'beginner' simulation, and there'll be enough happening on Preston to keep a single player entertained without it. That said, the arrangements at Carnforth would make it logical for Carnforth Station Jn to be included. The simulation would then fringe to Arnside and Settle Jn.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Last edited: 30/01/2018 at 14:01 by Steamer
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 14:07 #105586
headshot119
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HST125Scorton in post 105584 said:
Preston boundaries are pretty much the same
Manchester Picc
Manchester ROC (Todmorden and Blackpool Fringes)
Warrington PSB
Carlisle PSB
Carnforth Junction SB
Hebden Bridge SB
Midge Hall SB

Preston would be ideal for 2-3 player option as per real life, adding Blackpool (M9 Manchester ROC) which could be done with 1 player as a small sim ideal for new comers as it has ARS.
The Blackpool workstation doesn't have ARS, I can't remember the exact commercial name of the system, but when I had a go on the simulator it was described to me as a first come first served route setting service at junctions.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 14:35 #105587
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You have a valid point there about the ARS not been on Blackpool which is my mistake on research I have visit planned in April.
Blackpool would be a nice addition to SimSig for new players to learn and many current players.

Aaron (AJRO) | Timetable Writer
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 15:12 #105589
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Steamer in post 105585 said:
ajax103 in post 105582 said:
With Preston being a option voiced above, can anyone confirm the existing boundaries of Preston PSB as it is at the moment and from April 2018 if there will be any changes?
Preston fringes at:
Standish (WCML north of Wigan) (Warrington PSB)
Adlington (Manchester Piccadilly)
Midge Hall (Ormskirk branch) (Midge Hall)
Darwen (Manchester Piccadilly)
Daisyfield Jn (Clitheroe line) (Daisyfield Jn)
Hebden Bridge (Hebden Bridge)
Smithy Bridge (Rochdale West)
Salwick (Ashburys ROC)
Carnforth (Carnforth Station Jn)
North of Carnforth (WCML) (Carlisle)

As far as I know, none of these boundaries are due to change soon. The Hebden Bridge one might move slightly when that box closes and York ROC takes over.

Quote:
It would be interesting to see Preston being simulated with or without the Blackpool branches however for a single player it may be too much?
The Fylde lines (especially in the mechanical era) would probably be a good 'beginner' simulation, and there'll be enough happening on Preston to keep a single player entertained without it. That said, the arrangements at Carnforth would make it logical for Carnforth Station Jn to be included. The simulation would then fringe to Arnside and Settle Jn.
It would also need to include Bare lane box and the branch to morecombe/heysham

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 15:14 #105590
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jc92 in post 105589 said:

It would also need to include Bare lane box and the branch to morecombe/heysham
As mentioned above, Bare Lane's control area was taken over by Preston a few years ago.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 17:36 #105592
JohnMiller
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Doncaster, North South, East & West, although I hope its all one sim.
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 17:45 #105593
DaveHarries
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HST125Scorton in post 105587 said:
Blackpool would be a nice addition to SimSig for new players to learn and many current players.

I have said this too. I think that, certainly if the modern area was incorproated (since the current resignalling) then a Blackpool sim would have to incorporate two workstations as you would have Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations, plus the Fleetwood Docks route (maybe) and, for want of a better way of putting it, the suburban stations around Blackpool too.

Meanwhile I will add to my earlier speculative list of sims for the Birmingham meet:
- Doncaster
- Blackpool

Dave

Last edited: 30/01/2018 at 17:46 by DaveHarries
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 18:07 #105595
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DaveHarries in post 105593 said:

I have said this too. I think that, certainly if the modern area was incorproated (since the current resignalling) then a Blackpool sim would have to incorporate two workstations as you would have Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations, plus the Fleetwood Docks route (maybe) and, for want of a better way of putting it, the suburban stations around Blackpool too.
I think you're over-estimating the amount of work on it...

*The Blackpool South branch is effectively a long siding from Kirkham, and has been since the early 1980s.
*The branch to Burn Naze/Fleetwood is long OOU and the pointwork leading onto it was removed as part of the resignalling.
*It appears to be controlled by one person in real life.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Last edited: 30/01/2018 at 18:09 by Steamer
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 18:41 #105596
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One thing I don't understand is why the Blackpool workstation in the Manchester ROC? I would have thought Preston PSB as it's closer I think would have been a better fit?

How big will Manchester ROC eventually be then?

Still as I'm not familiar with the area, I do appreciate everyone teaching me the existing boundaries of Preston PSB

There is another sim which could make a appearance and that's Leicester or we could see more of Three Bridges (Gatwick area).

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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 18:50 #105597
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ajax103 in post 105596 said:
One thing I don't understand is why the Blackpool workstation in the Manchester ROC? I would have thought Preston PSB as it's closer I think would have been a better fit?

How big will Manchester ROC eventually be then?
In theory, everywhere in the North West will one day be controlled from Ashburys ROC.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 30/01/2018 at 19:49 #105598
DaveHarries
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Steamer in post 105595 said:
DaveHarries in post 105593 said:

I have said this too. I think that, certainly if the modern area was incorproated (since the current resignalling) then a Blackpool sim would have to incorporate two workstations as you would have Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations, plus the Fleetwood Docks route (maybe) and, for want of a better way of putting it, the suburban stations around Blackpool too.
I think you're over-estimating the amount of work on it...

*The Blackpool South branch is effectively a long siding from Kirkham, and has been since the early 1980s.
*The branch to Burn Naze/Fleetwood is long OOU and the pointwork leading onto it was removed as part of the resignalling.
*It appears to be controlled by one person in real life.
Ah ok thanks. I don't know the Blackpool area so was not aware of the current situation. A single-player Blackpool sim would be cool. Just been thinking tjhat, although I currently have 2 screens on my PC, I could see myself adding a 3rd screen in view of how big some of the panel areas are.

As an aside I thought I heard ages back that some of that line was being cleared for reuse by a preservation organisation (the P&WRS)? Not sure as to the current state of play on that.

Dave

Last edited: 30/01/2018 at 19:54 by DaveHarries
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March Meet Simulation Speculation 31/01/2018 at 09:00 #105602
kbarber
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Steamer in post 105597 said:
ajax103 in post 105596 said:
One thing I don't understand is why the Blackpool workstation in the Manchester ROC? I would have thought Preston PSB as it's closer I think would have been a better fit?

How big will Manchester ROC eventually be then?
In theory, everywhere in the North West will one day be controlled from Ashburys ROC.
The policy seems to be that any significant resignalling results in control going to the ROC that will eventually take over that whole area. At this stage it means ROCs with lots of disconnected bits, but it also means no need to provide facilities (a whole new workstation desk in Preston PSB for instance) that will eventually disappear when the ROC takes over. Later on, the bits will join up as further resignallings and recontrols go to the ROC. One of the few sensible, logical things I've seen NR do!

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