DONCASTER

This Simulation is based on the layout at Doncaster in the period around 1960, but with all surviving mechanical signals converted to colour lights.  The Main lines were mainly signalled with colour lights during this period, but the Sheffield, Leeds and Hull lines used mechanical signalling.

Doncaster Station had two Power Boxes, North and South, plus several mechanical Boxes including those shown at Bridge Junction, St James Junction and Balby Junction.

North Box had signals numbered between N1 and N50 and Points N51 to N99.  In this Simulation, these have been numbered in the series 101 to 199.  Similarly South Box used S1 to S50 for Signals and S51 to S99 for Points which have been numbered in the series 201 to 299.

Bridge Junction signals and points have been numbered in the 300 series, those worked by St James Junction have been numbered in the 400 series and those by Balby Junction in the 500 series.

Signals numbered in the 800 series were controlled from adjacent Boxes, but have been treated as Automatic Signals for this simulation

For the sake of clarity, some Ground Shunt signals have been omitted and Points 179, Scissors Crossover 190/191 and associated Signals have been shown as controlled by Doncaster North Box rather than Doncaster 'C' box. 

Enginemen frequently referred to Doncaster as "Forever Amber" and observation of the signal aspects on this densly trafficked area and low speed turnouts will indicate the reason!

Platform Capacities (in coach lengths) are:

Platform 1 - 16
Platform 2 - 7
Platform 3 - 6
Platform 4 - 16
Platform 5 - 8  (North end)
Platform 5 - 16 (Full length)
Platform 6 - 7
Platform 7 - 6
Platform 8 - 16

It should be noted that it is not possible for trains to arrive in any of the Bay platforms.  Terminating trains are usually shunted to one of the Bays or are taken to the Carriage Sidings or Garden Sidings.

The Dock platforms at the South end between Platforms 5 and 8 are used for stock storage and the South Spur is of limited length (2 vehicles).

Through setting of the following routes is available:
118 to 226
118 to 232 via 124
118 TO 234
201 to 105
201 to 125 via 215
201 to 139
213 to 125
213 to 139
226 to 230


STARTUP SCREEN PICTURE

The photo of Peppercorn Class A1 Pacific No. 60128, "Bongrace", was taken by Peter Dean on 8th April 1962. The loco is moving from the South end of Platform 4 to the Down Goods and has just passed 232 Signal. The crossover in the foreground is No 250. The loco was built at Doncaster in 1949 and withdrawn in January 1965.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This simulation was designed and developed entirely by Peter Dean, based on his extensive knowledge of the prototype. Peter worked for many years in the S&T Department, firstly with British Railways at York from 1962 to 1972. He then emigrated to work with the Western Australian Government Railways from 1972 to 1995 before becoming a Consultant Signal Engineer for the next five years, joining Union Switch & Signal in Perth WA in 2000 until retirement in 2007. His main interests are in all aspects (no pun intended) of British Railways, both full size and in model form, having an extensive 00 gauge layout under construction.

Thanks also to those who spent many hours assisting with testing the simulation prior to its release, including Peter Mould, Vagn Poulsen, Alan Sugden and Geoff Foster.
