PC-RAIL North Lancashire

This simulation is based on the 1973 arrangement when multiple aspect signalling was introduced. At the same time the West Coast Main Line was electrified through Lancaster and Carnforth. All the signal boxes between Preston and Lancaster were abolished and replaced by a new Power Signal Box at Preston. The area covered by this simulation is operated from Preston D Panel. It forms a continuation of the Preston simulation which covers an area north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line.

Lancaster is located 21 miles north of Preston and 19 miles south of Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). Carnforth is 6 miles north of Lancaster and is a major junction. It is a very busy used "mixed-used" section of railway with fast expresses and slow freight trains all using the same tracks meaning that any late running will have a knock-on effect for all other trains.

The operating area includes four stations: Lancaster, Carnforth, Bare Lane and Morecambe, with additional stations along the Skipton to Morecambe Line. These stations are not part of the Preston Box area but are included as the simulation covers the Carnforth signalbox area.

There are several passing loops which may have to be used to prevent delays to faster trains. Some trains are timetabled to recess in the loops. However it may be that the operator will have to recess other slower freight trains to allow faster trains to pass. Careful regulation is therefore very important.

For the purpose of this simulation Bare Lane and Carnforth signalboxes are operated as if from Preston PSB. Hest Bank box is in real-life just a gate-box which monitors and operates Hest Bank and Bolton-le-Sands level crossings.

The Preston Power Box controls Lancaster and Carnforth with signals having a prefix PN (not shown). Other prefixes for signals not operated by Preston PSB are BL-Bare Lane, CS-Carnforth, CE-Carlisle and SJ-Settle Junction.

There are three routes from Carnforth

1. The West Coast Main Line between London Euston, Crewe, Carlisle and Scotland
2. The Furness Line 
3. The Morecambe to Skipton Line 

Platform Capacities (reduce by 1 for loco-hauled trains)

Lancaster           Carnforth             Bare Lane            Morecambe

Plat 1  -  3        Plat 1 - 12           Plat 1 - 4           Plat 1 - 5
Plat 2  -  5        Plat 2 - 12           Plat 2 - 4           Plat 2 - 7
Plat 3  - 12      
Plat 4  - 11        
Plat 5  -  8         

Electrification

The West Coast Main Line (London Euston to Glasgow Central) is electrified using the 25kv overhead supply system, as well as the Carnforth station area.

Level Crossings

The level crossings are activated by the manual release of the level crossing protecting signal. When the appropriate signal is released, the crossing indicator will flash for a short time to indicate the barrier operating cycle. The barrier indicator will then revert to a steady aspect and the signal will release to a proceed aspect to allow the passage of trains. Once the train has cleared the crossing the barriers will raise automatically. 

Bare Lane - this crossing is monitored and operated by staff at Bare Lane Crossing Box. The box operator will close the barriers on the approaching of trains. 

Hest Bank - this crossing is monitored and controlled by staff at the Hest Bank Level Crossing Frame Box. 

Bolton-le-Sands - this crossing is monitored by CCTV and the barriers are operated by staff at the Hest Bank Level Crossing Frame Box.

In the simulation, crossing barriers are actived by setting of a route across the crossing. 

Operating Notes

Oubeck Loops - the Up and Down Goods Loops are for Goods trains only but on rare occasions maybe be used by passenger trains.

Class 1 trains routed from Dowm Main via Lancaster and Carnforth, and not stopping at Lancaster, should have the routes set from Signal 211 to 274 to activate the Level Crossings.
 
Other Class trains routed from Down Main via Lancaster and Carnforth, and not stopping at Lancaster, should have the route set from Signal 226 to 274 to activate the Level Crossing.

Trains routed from Up Main via Carnforth and Lancaster should have the routes set from Signal 294 to 249 to activate the Level Crossings.
  
Trains leaving Lancaster or Carnforth platforms are routed via Level Crossings as above.

Trains of ALL classes using the Down & Up Heysham (DUH) must stop at Bare Lane station to receive the staff token. The token contains the release keys for the ground frame at Morecambe (points 575)and the ground frame to access Heysham Power Station sidings (not shown in this simulation). The Down & Up Morecambe (DUM) does not require a staff token.

Other notes

There are subtle differances between the simulation and real-life, but the majority of the simulation is very close to reality.

It should be noted that the line between Carnforth and Settle Junction, commonly known as the Little North Western, is the longest block-section in the country at 24 miles. Note also that in offical documents this is designated the Up Main and Down Main between Carnforth and Settle Junction, but to avoid confusion with the WCML this has been renamed Up Carnforth and Down Carnforth.

Photograph Information

The start-up picture is a view of the South end of Lancaster station. The three trains shown are (from left) a departure for Morecambe from Platform 5, a departure for Barrow-in-Furness from Platform 3 and an arrival from Morecambe in Platform 2.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to John for developing the new Level Crossing Control feature and to the PC-Rail team for the testing of this simulation.

