The area of this simulation is located in South-West England, centred on the towns of Gloucester and Cheltenham which are roughly halfway between Birmingham and Bristol on what is known as the NESW line (North East to South West). Along with this line there are also lines to Paddington, South Wales and Worcester.
The signalling is standard colour light and there are no electrified lines within the area. The only bi-directional platforms are at Gloucester where all four are.
Both stations are served by three TOCs (Train operating companies) these being GWR, Transport for Wales and Cross Country. 
Many trains will terminate at Cheltenham and will form a new train after going to Alstone carriage sidings.

Distances:
Yate to Abbotswood		54 miles
Kemble to Gloucester	23 miles
Caldicot to Gloucester 	34 miles		

Platform Capacities:
The longest passenger train is an HST with two power cars and eight coaches.
Cheltenham - both platforms can accomodate HSTs

Gloucester - P1, P2 and P4 can accomodate an HST.
Incidentally P1 and P2 (joined) is the second longest platform in the UK with Colchester being the first.

All other stations HSTs will stop but some of the rear coaches will be locked out as all stock within this simulation are fitted with selective door control.

Alstone carriage siding will fit an HST plus a 2 or 3 car unit whereas the spur will only fit a 2 or 3 car unit.

Gloucester carriage sidings comprises of 3 lines each capable of holding two 2 car units.

When setting a route from P4 Gloucester in the Cheltenham direction the normal route would be direct to signal 37. There is an alternate route via the Barnwood loop to signal 137. The line speed is slightly slower but may be used should other traffic dictate without incurring any penalty.
 
When setting a route into P2 from or to the Barnwood direction signals 35 and 154 would normally be used. However setting a route through platform 1 in either direction can be used as an alternative.  

This area is controlled mainly by Gloucester panel box but has not been designed to simulate the working of this box as the area controlled covers a larger area.

There are two 'main' stations, Cheltenham and Gloucester, with the principal station being Cheltenham so with the Standard TT timings reflect this.

The photo is from my collection taken in 2015. This is the  first simulation I have written and as Gloucester was my home town it was an obvious choice. I started getting interested in railways in 1961 and have many fond memories of spotting on Gloucester Eastgate station (closed in 1975) with both steam and diesels.

Acknowledgements: To the testing team which includes Bob Young who was very supportive on this project and also Alan Ashley and Geoff Butler for testing and suggestions.

Dave Howell v4.2 March 2021