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Westbury

Sim Versions

Version	Status	Scroll/Views Loader	Published	Comments
V2.8	Donationware	V	08/05/03	No longer available for download
V2.101	Donationware	V	06/06/05	No longer available for download
V2.227	Donationware	S	21/08/11	No longer available for download
V4.1	Donationware	SL	05/11/13	No longer available for download
V4.2.1	Donationware	SL	17/12/2013	No longer available for download
V4.2.2	Donationware	SL	20/12/2013	No longer available for download
V4.2.2	Donationware	SL	20/12/2013	No longer available for download
V4.3.0	Donationware	SL	08/01/2015	Superseded
V4.4.0	Donationware	SL	16/04/2021	Superseded
V4.6.0	Donationware	SL	12/08/2021	Available via Loader
V4.8.0	Donationware	SL		Pending

Timetables

Title	Published	Author	Comments
Westbury Summer 2007 v4.1	05/11/13	TBC	Bundled with V4.1
Westbury Summer 2007 v2.226	19/08/11	TBC	Bundled with V2.227
Westbury 85	TBC	KurtDS	Available from Download section
Westbury 1922	TBC	tonyreese	Available from Download section
Westbury 1981	TBC	Ed Jeffrey	Available from Download section
Westbury: Swindon Diversion	TBC	Ed Jeffrey	Available from Download section
Westbury Fictional Winter 2009 - Diversion mayhem	08/02/10	Underwood	Available from Download section
Westbury timetable for 15th Oct 09	22/08/11	Noisynoel	Available from Download section
Westbury	13/03/12	agilchrist	Available from Download section
Westbury Tours and Diversions Summer 2011 Semi-Fictional	10/04/12	Underwood	Available from Download section

Introduction

Welcome to SimSig Westbury! Westbury is another non-IECC location to take advantage of the authentic SimSig simulation model. All the usual SimSig features are included in this simulation which shows what Westbury may look like if it was controlled by an IECC.

About the Westbury Area

In SimSig Westbury, you will control most of the Berks & Hants line that runs between Reading and Taunton via Westbury. The entire Westbury Panel box area is covered, along with the B&H panel of Reading PSB (latterly controlled by Thames Valley Signalling Centre).

The length of the route is quite considerable - 100 miles from Aldermaston to Athelney, which takes even High-Speed Trains well over an hour to cover. Add to that 40 more miles of branches - Bathampton and Thingley Jns to Warminster, Castle Cary to Yeovil, and the Merehead Quarry branch.

Much of the route consists of widely spaced signals, especially on the western/southern end. It is mostly 3-aspect signalled, although there are some 4-aspect signals around Newbury and Westbury. Other branches and beyond Castle Cary are 2-aspect signalled with repeater signals.

In real life, the area is controlled by two signal boxes. Thames Valley Signalling Centre (TVSC) controls - amongst others - the area depicted on the 'Reading' panel (previously this area was controlled by Reading PSB). Westbury controls the remaining two panels. TVSC is a modern IECC box, which replaced Reading PSB in Winter 2010. Westbury is an older signal box employing the NX push-push style of route setting and dates from the 1980s.

Multiplay and Chaining

• Link with

  Swindon , Bristol , Salisbury and Exeter
  

• Suitable for one person operation although two will make it easier

Panel Description

Reading

Level Crossings

All level crossings on this panel are controlled locally by Crossing Keepers . Provided a route is set from the appropriate signals, the barriers will be lowered and signals cleared as a train approaches each crossing. This panel has been coded using the control tables for the interlocking.

Newbury

All platforms are permissive . Note that platform 2 is bi-directional, and some Down trains are booked to use it to allow other overtaking moves. The Down line is also bi-directional through Newbury Racecourse.

Many of the shunt routes have time delays before the routes can be set if certain conditions are met, if the route is not available because of a timeout you should receive a message. As a general rule, the condition is related to whether a train has arrived on the destination TC from the opposite direction. In some instances (e.g. from R865 the timeout is referenced to a train approaching R863).

There are a couple of instances where two timeouts might be given, this relates to different tests. For example, R483 to R485 test TNAC if point 956 is reverse and TNAF if normal.

Flashing yellows are provided for the route from the Down Westbury to Newbury platform 1 only; all other loop entrances are approach released from red.

Ground Frames provide access to Thatcham siding, Racecourse Down sidings and the Shell Mex sidings.

All frames require the route into and out of the siding to be set. The route can be set either before or after the frame is opened, setting it before will automatically open the frame. In either case, the lever frame only has two levers, one for the point and one to clear the signal; which signal is dependent on which route is set. Prior to moving a lever, you need to unlock them by means of the Annett key (tick box).

Thatcham

There is an additional requirement here as the crossing keeper needs to be asked to close/open the crossing. This is done in the sim by clicking on the button provided – once to drop and once to raise. For sim purposes, there’s an indicator on the frame that will flash blue to indicate the crossing is lowering/rising.

Bedwyn

Terminating trains from the Newbury direction use the turnback siding to cross back to the Up Westbury. Note that some trains have longer layovers in the siding than others; be sure to check the timetable carefully.

Savernake

Ground Frames allow trains to cross from one line to the other here; note that there is a separate frame for each end of the crossover and that there is a 120-second delay between releasing the frame and being able to move any levers.

Woodborough

Both loops are permissive.
Woodborough GF: For trains entering the siding you need to set the route from signal R500. The route can be set either before or after the frame is opened, setting it before will automatically open the frame. In either case, the lever frame only has two levers, one for the point and one to clear the signal. Prior to moving a lever, you need to unlock them by means of the Annett key (tick box). For trains exiting the siding, you will need to open the frame manually and then switch the point, when the train is ready a hand signal is required. The hand signalman is activated by pressing the green button and he will wave his hand for 30 seconds, you should not hand signal to you are sure the train is ready to move.

Panel A

Westbury

The main focus of the simulation, Westbury has three passenger platforms and two goods tracks. There is a yard on the Up side of the station, which is used for stabling passenger stock and also is used by freight. There is another set of yards on the Down side of the station which are just for freight.

Some passenger trains will stop here for more than just a minute or two. Watch out for them as you can easily lock up the station if you set the route too early.

All platforms and goods loops are bi-directional and permissive. A phone call must be placed to Westbury Down Yard (which includes New Sidings), Westbury Up Yard, the Engine Sidings and Cement Works before sending a train to those locations.

There is a Barrow crossing at the east end of Westbury Station. Setting a route causes the ‘safe to cross’ light at the crossing to extinguish; signals will clear approximately 15 seconds later, to give time for staff to clear the crossing.

Warner routes are available at the East end of Platform 2 and the West end of Platform 3.

Trains booked directly from Fairwood Jn to Heywood Jn and vice-versa may be routed via the station if required, however, this will take longer than the direct route.

View from Google Maps showing the north end of Westbury station - note the barrow crossings

Swindon Fringe

A single line connects Bradford Junction to Thingley Junction. You are in control of this section and the Swindon signaller will therefore ask for a slot when they want to send you a train. Descriptions of approaching trains enter the ‘Approach’ berth as they pass Wooton Bassett Jn, approximately 10 miles from Thingley Jn; the slot is requested as the train approaches Chippenham.

Bradford on Avon

Greenland Mill is a particularly dangerous crossing; due to the tunnel, track curvature and lineside trees, visibility for both train and car drivers is poor. To prevent the barriers at Greenland Mill AHB lowering too early for trains stopping at Bradford on Avon (with the attendant risk of impatient drivers swerving around the barriers), stopping and non-stopping controls are provided. Before setting the route from signal 186, click on the appropriate control for the approaching train. The ‘stopping’ control will hold 186 at red until the train is ready to start from the station (the traincrew press a button to start the crossing sequence). If the wrong control is selected, the route from 186 must be cancelled before the correct control can be selected. You will earn a penalty if the wrong button is used, and if you use the stopping button for a non-stop train the train will just sit at 186 as the crew will not press the button.

Note that the town name is not hyphenated - the locals get very agitated if you do.

Bradford Jn

It is possible for a train from Thingley Jn to reverse on the Down Trowbridge at Bradford Jn and continue to Bathampton Jn, using signals 119 and 190.

Warminster

Ground frames control access to the MOD sidings and Warminster sidings; a phone call must be placed to the MOD sidings before signalling a train in, you will be penalised for not doing so. Both frames work the same way but they can’t be open at the same time. To operate you have to open the frame manually, the levers are unlocked by the Annett key (tick box). Signals 751 and 752 are cleared by use of the lever. Trains entering from the sidings are hand signalled. The hand signalman is activated by pressing the green button and he will 'wave' his hand for 30 seconds, you should not hand signal to you are sure the train is ready to move.

Some trains terminate at Warminster and use the crossover beyond the station to return to Westbury.

Panel B

Hapsford

Ground frame requires manual release and the levers unlocked by Annett key (tick box). The point can only be moved with the FPL lever reverse and the hand signals can’t be given until the lever is normal (not interlocked in reality). Trains are hand signalled. The hand signalman is activated by pressing the green button and he will 'wave' his hand for 30 seconds, you should not hand signal to you are sure the train is ready to move.

Whatley Quarry

A phone call must be placed to Whatley Quarry to obtain the slot on signal 422. Note that it is possible to set a route up to 422 without obtaining the slot- leading to a potential stand-off between trains entering and leaving the yard. As such, the slot should be obtained before signalling the train past Frome North Jn.

Frome

A tiny station for a tiny service but still retains a respectable overall roof. Trains booked to use the direct route between Clink Road and Blatchbridge Jn and vice-versa will accept the route via Frome station, however, it is much slower than the direct route.

East Somerset Jn

It is not possible to set routes from W275 to W277 at the same time as routes from W75 to W77 or W77 to anywhere unless the track circuit in the Branch Loop is occupied. This is as per the real box.

Note that there is only 260m available between signal 224 and the Up line; freight trains to Merehead are generally longer than this. The UGL should be used to hold freight trains awaiting access to the single line.

Merehead

Phone calls must be placed to Merehead the Merehead Arrival and Departure lines to obtain the slot to route a train in. Departures from Merehead generally back into White’s siding from signal 330 before proceeding to East Somerset Jn. The length of the siding is 800m.

A phone call should be placed to Cranmore (East Somerset Railway) before sending a train there.

Yeovil Fringe

The passing loop and junction at Yeovil Pen Mill are controlled by the signal box of the same name. To send a train to Pen Mill, simply set the route through to YP64. The slot will be requested and granted automatically as the train heads to Yeovil. The Yeovil signaller will request a slot when they wish to send a train.

Somerton

Ground Frames allow trains to cross from one line to the other here; note that there is a separate frame for each end of the crossover and that there is a 120-second delay between releasing the frame and being able to move any levers. Trains are hand signalled. The hand signalman is activated by pressing the green button and he will 'wave' his hand for 30 seconds, you should not hand signal to you are sure the train is ready to move.

Note that signal sections between Castle Cary and Cogload Jn are significantly longer than those on the rest of the simulation.

Line Speeds

Line speeds vary, the following is a typical average for that line:

• Mostly around 100mph all the way along the Berks and Hants Main Line
• 60-70mph for the Bathampton - Westbury line
• 15mph around Westbury East Curve
• 40mph through Westbury
• 75mph on the Warminster line
• 40mph on the Frome loop

Platform and Loop Lengths

(extracted from 1/4/2009 Route Capability Plan where shown with dual units. Metric only from sim data.)

Location	Plat/Direction	Length
Midgham	Dn	97m/106y
	Up	117m/128y
Thatcham	Dn P1	147m/160y
	P2 Up	155m/170y
Newbury Racec'se	P1 Dn	87m/97y
	P2 Up	74m/81y
	DPL	208m/225y
Newbury	P1	291m/318y
	P2	327m/358y
	P3	129m/141y
	DPL	442m/1459ft
	UPL	359m/1176ft
Kintbury	P1 Dn	105m/115y
	P2 Up	106m/116y
Hungerford	P2 Dn	150m/164y
	P1 Up	153m/167y
	UPL	679m/2226ft
Bedwyn	P1 Dn	121m/132y
	P2 Up	123m/135y
	Siding	130m/142y
Pewsey	P1 Dn	170m/186y
	P2 Up	177m/194y
Woodborough	DGL	640m/2100ft
	DGL Spur	95m
	UGL	666m/2184ft
Westbury	P1	224m/245y
	P2	203m/222y
	P3	197m/215y
	Patney Sdg	97m
	Dn Rec	445m
	Up Rec 211-602	340m
	Up Rec 211-LOS	800m
	Up Rec 207-LOS	400m
	Back Rd	295m
	Salisbury Spur 701	395m
	Salisbury Spur 705	435m
	Dn Trowbridge Sdg	295m
	Up Trowbridge Sdg	495m
Frome	Platform	109m/119y
Frome North	UGL	327m/1071y
East Somerset Jn	U/DGL	532m/1743ft
	Sdgs 1&2	145m
Bruton	P2 Dn	144m/157y
	P1 Up	130m/142y
Whites Crossing Siding		800m
Castle Cary	P1	198m/217y
	P2	197m/215y
	P3	70m/77y
	D/UPL	487m/1596ft
Trowbridge	P1 Dn	108m/118y
	P2 Up	154m/168y
Bradford-on-Avon	Up & Dn	120m/131y
Avoncliff	Up & Dn	30m/33y
Freshford	Dn	78m/85y
	Up	82m/90y

Timetabling

There are a few things that may help with inputting timetables that need mentioning. They are summarised below.

When inputting trains into the editor, certain locations must be included to satisfy the editor’s requirements. These reflect the key timing points on the routes in the area simulated.

Below are the most important rules about the editor when inputting timetables….

Key Locations

All trains passing through the following locations must list them in their timetable:

• Bathampton Junction
• Thingley Junction
• Chippenham
• Wootton Bassett Junction
• Bradford Junction
• Westbury
• Heywood Road Junction
• Warminster
• Wilton Junction
• Frome
• Fairwood Junction
• Clink Road Junction
• Blatchbridge Junction
• East Somerset Junction (for Merehead trains only)
• Castle Cary
• Yeovil Pen Mill
• Cogload Junction
• Lavington
• Woodborough
• Bedwyn
• Newbury
• Southcote Jn

Adjustments

Location	PLT	at/behind	Adjustment
Westbury	UR	602	465
		207	405

Headcodes

Standard train descriptions are used in SimSig. The letter coding shown below can be used as a rough guide as to where the train goes when using the timetable supplied with the software. The coding of train descriptions changes from time to time to suit traffic requirements, therefore, the coding provided may not apply to timetables from other time periods.

A – Trains to London Area (Paddington etc.)

B – Trains between London, Worcester, Cheltenham, and South Wales

C – Trains between London and Bristol area

F - Cardiff to Portsmouth service and vice versa

K - Bedwyn trains

M – Trains for the Midland Zone, also some Melksham services

O – Trains that terminate in the Southern Zone
\

S – Trains heading towards Scotland

V – Trains heading toward the Western Zone from other Zones

X – Special trains and out of standard loading gauge trains

Z – Special trains and Short Notice Workings

Things to Watch Out for...

Remember that some of the sections are very long, particularly if a repeater signal is involved. Make sure you don't lock up a junction for a train that is still several miles away.

The Melksham branch is long and single. Before you allow a train to set off from Westbury for Melksham, check that you'll be able to get it on there without delaying a following train for Bathampton Jn. Hold it at Westbury if necessary.

A Final Note

If you fancy writing a timetable from a different period of time, then please have a go. Perhaps you might like to alter the timetable provided. If you think you have created a masterpiece of a timetable, then we would love to see it, maybe it could be posted on the SimSig website for others to download. Remember that SimSig timetables are for use with SimSig only and not for any other use.

We hope that you enjoy SimSig Westbury and thank you for your support. Keep up to date with all things SimSig by visiting our website which includes a forum page for posting news and views about SimSig. Have fun.

Reference Section

Signal Number Plan

These are Adobe Acrobat PDF files. 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 . Use the built-in Find function (Ctrl+F) to locate signal numbers.

TIPLOC Codes

Signal Box Prefix Codes

*Fringe box, signals not controlled by this Sim.

Code	Box
DA	Down Athelney automatic signals
DT	Down Trowbridge automatic signals
DW	Down Westbury automatic signals
E	Exeter*
R	Reading
S	Salisbury*
UT	Up Trowbridge automatic signals
UW	Up Westbury automatic signals
YP	Yeovil Pen Mill*

Non-prefixed signals are controlled by Westbury (W)

Scrolly Keyboard Number Locations

Pressing these keyboard numbers centres the active view window at these locations:

1 - Left-hand end of panel

2 - Newbury station

3 - Trowbridge station

4 - Westbury station

5 - Clink Road Junction

6 - East Somerset Junction

7 - Right-hand end of panel

Locations of Level Crossings

Numbers correspond to keyboard view numbers (above)

A - G	F - P	S - W
Avon View 3	Frying Pan Farm 3	Staverton Farm 3
Cemetery Lane 3	Hamstead 1	Thatcham 1
Colthrop 1	Hapsford 6	Thorney Marsh 7
Cross Cottage 7	Hungerford 1	Tuckers 3
Dennings 6, 7	Kintbury 1	Waldens 3
Forrestry 7	Midgham 1	Westbury (barrow) 4
Greenland Mill 3	Parsonage 7	Whites 7

Milepost Numbers

Mileposts are shown at selected locations. These are measured from London Paddington (Southcote- Cogload & the branch to Yeovil), from Westbury (towards Bathampton/Thingley and Wilton), or from junctions with the main line (Merehead and Whatley).

Acknowledgements

Original Sim built by Geoff Mayo or Mike Miles (need to confirm who)

Major reconstruction to Scrolly by Daan Krantz, with minor fiddlings by Peter Bennet and further fiddling by Howard Potter

Clive Feather and Kurt Sickelmore assisted with data and code programming.

With thanks also to Andy Greenland, John Gallon

Version History

Version History

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Last edited by Peter Bennet on 31/03/2022 at 08:56