East Lancashire Simulation - Local Information

This simulation covers approximately 65 route miles in the East Lancashire/West Yorkshire area, centred on the Lancashire town of Blackburn. There are 29 stations on a combination of double-track and single track sections.

The simulation covers:

Preston PSB Panel A
Blackburn Station to just west of Hebden Bridge station (not included) on the Lancs & Yorks (L&Y) lines,  lines to the east and Littleborough to the west and from Hall Royd Junction. The Colne Branch.

Preston Panel B
The area west of Blackburn Station to Bromley Cross on the Darwen Lines and to Lostock Hall on the East Lancs lines towards Preston.

Daisyfield and Horrocksford Junction signalboxes cover:
	The Blackburn to Clitheroe/Hellifield route.

Neighbouring signalboxes are:
York ROC (beyond Hebden Bridge towards Leeds)
Rochdale West (beyond Littleborough towards Rochdale & Manchester)
Hellifield (beyond Clitheroe)
Manchester Piccadilly-Windsor Bridge Panel (beyond Bromley Cross towards Bolton & Manchester)
Preston Panel C (beyond Lostock Hall towards Preston Station, northbound)
Preston Panel B (beyond Lostock Hall towards Leyland & Wigan, southbound)

All lines on this simulation are "Diesel-only" routes (NO lines are electrified).

The track plan is set after 1973 and is ONLY suitable for timetables set after this time.
Note - The scale of the diagram is not uniform.

Considerable rationalisation of the railway has taken place after the steam era and many routes, tracks, sidings and sheds were closed and lifted leaving the current railway as displayed on this simulation. 

As the area is relatively large, there are a variety of different services that transit the panel from express passenger trains, stopping passenger trains, freight, steam and diesel specials and engineering services.

Each part of the simulation holds unique challenges for the operator. For example, trains on the Blackburn to Bolton Line must be regulated trains in the correct order because of the three single line sections.


Signalling

Signalling on this simulation are a mixture of 2, 3, and 4 aspect colour lights and ground position signals operated under "Track Circuit Block" regulations, except for Daisyfield Junction to Clitheroe and Hellifield which is Absolute Block.

Only signal-labels in a red box can be set by the operator. Certain signals that have labels that are not in a red box are set by the approach of a train, (eg. Brierfield Level-Crossing).

 Gannow Junction to Colne
One Train Only (OTOL) - see routing information below.

Blackburn (Daisyfield Jn) to Clitheroe / Hellifield
Absolute Block Regulations.
Special signalling rules at Daisyfield Junction for Clitheroe-Blackburn trains (see notes below).

All other areas
Track Circuit Block Regulations

Signal Identifications

	Numbers only  	Preston PSB (Panels A & B)
	MP			Manchester Piccadilly (Windsor Bridge Panel)
	HJ			Horocksford Junction
	HD			Hellifield
	SB			Rochdale West
	HB			Hebden Bridge/York IECC


Platform Lengths

The length of each platform is shown below.  This is indicated in Number of Coach lengths.  The number of coaches on a particular train is reduced by the number of locomotives required in the platform concurrently.

	Station                    Length

      Todmorden                     7 	[B]
      Walsden                       7 
      Littlebrough                  7

      Colne                         4
      Nelson                        5
      Briefield                     3
      Burnley Central               3
      Burnley Barracks              2

      Burnley Manchester Rd         4
      Rose Grove                    4
      Hapton                        4
      Huncoat                       2
      Accrington                    5
      Church & Oswaldtwistle        4       
      Rishton             Plat 1    2
                          Plat 2    3
      Blackburn           Plat 1   11	[B]
                          Plat 2   11	[B]
                          Plat 3    3	[B]
                          Plat 4    4	[B]
                  Stabling Sdg 1    6
                  Stabling Sdg 2    6
      Mill Hill                     4
      Cherry Tree                   3  
      Pleasington         Plat 1    3
                          Plat 2    4
      Bamber Bridge                 3
      Lostock Hall                  4
      Darwen                        4
      Entwistle                     4
      Bromley Cross                 5

      Clitheroe                     3	[4]
      Whalley                       3	[4]
      Langho                        3	[4]
      Ramsgreaves & Wilpshire       3	[4]

      Note: [B] = Bidirectional working
            [4] = 4 vehicles if the train consists of 2 x Class 142 units.


Route Notes

Daisyfield Junction
Routing rules of trains at Daisyfield Junction to Blackburn station are different depending on the origin of the train.
Trains From Rishton (Up East Lancs line) - Sig 429 can show a R/Y/YY/G/position lights or be approach-released from red if the route is set into the Goods Line, Platform 2 or Platform 1.
Trains from Ramsgreave & Wilpshire (Up Hellifield):
Signal DS12 has Red/Green aspects only
Signal 429 displays a proceed aspect immediately the route from DS12 is set, I.e. there is NO approach control into Blackburn Station. (Trains are already travelling at 20mph due to the speed limit over the single line at Daisyfield Jn). Therefore the following direct route-setting must be used from DS12:
DS12-PN443
DS12-PN441
DS12-PN439
DS12-PN437
Signals 427, 428 and DS12 are "Slotted". (DS12 is also co-numbered PN426, however this is not displayed on the panel). When the Preston signaller sets a route from any of these three signals to or from the Clitheroe line the appropriate track-circuit will set. DS12 will clear to green when the "slot" indicator goes steady.
After the passage of the train the slot reverts to the Preston signaller. 
PN427 and PN 428 (3 aspect signals) will only clear to a proceed-aspect as the train approaches. 

Clitheroe to Hellifield

The distance between consecutive signals at Hellifield and Horrocksford Jn is just over 12 miles. As the line speed for Class 1, 2, 3 & 5 trains is 45mph and 30mph for all other classes of trains, trains may appear on the simulation up to 34 minutes before arrival when inward bound from Hellifield. 
Some services may be required to dwell at Horrocksford Junction Sig HJ2 (the nearest timing point is Clitheroe Station).
The approach of a train within the Low Moor level crossing closure area is indicated on the panel (see Level Crossings section).
There is no indication for trains reversing at the Turnback. 

Ribblesdale Cement Works (Horrocksford Siding)

Inward-bound trains from both directions are required to shunt to access Horrocksford Sidings via Sig HJ1.
Trains from Hellifield are routed into Clitheroe Station and reverse/propel via signal HJ1.
Trains from Blackburn are required to shunt via the turnback signal HJ4A and signal HJ1. It is not possible to route a train directly from HJ7 into Horrocksford Siding.
Departing trains bound for the Hellifield direction propel out of Horrocksford Siding and reverse via HJ1.
Trains heading towards Blackburn depart normally.

Colne Branch (Down & Up Colne)

The Down & Up Colne line is "One Train Only" (OT) between Gannow Junction and the Colne buffer-stop. Route setting is as follows:
For services that terminate at Colne and return, set the full route:
Down Trains to Colne: PN368 (or PN369) Gannow Jn - Colne.
(If the branch is still occupied by a late-running train ahead, then the next train should be held at Rose Grove Station.
Up Trains From Colne: set Colne - PN364.
Note that the signals at Brierfield are activated by the approach of the train in both directions, (see Level Crossings section).
For Down services that terminate at Burnley Central set route PN368 (or PN369) Gannow Jn - BNC.
For Burnley Central to Gannow Jn and beyond set REV> - PN364.

Up & Down Darwen Line

It is important to regulate trains in the correct order due to the three single-line sections on this route.
Trains departing Hall i' th' Wood Station towards Bolton may need to be held at Astley Bridge Junction Signal MP656 to allow an "on-time" northbound service to depart Bolton.
Should a train be incorrectly-regulated then considerable "knock-on" delays will occur. (Southbound trains could still get a proceed signal at MP656 even though the next northbound train is showing on the "next train" berth however this will delay the northbound train until the single line is clear).
However, If the northbound train is very late (10 minutes or more), then the operator could allow, at their discretion, the southbound train to transit the single line first as it will get routed into another platform at Bolton. The transit time for the single line will allow for this.
The section of line between Bromley Cross Station and Bolton is controlled by Manchester Piccadilly (Windsor Bridge Panel) and is shown to allow a true representation of trains entering and leaving the simulation from the South. The operator will receive a request each time the Piccadilly signaller wants to send a train onto the panel - it is up to the operator whether to accept it or not depending on late running.
Bromley Cross Level Crossing Frame (LCF) - see Level Crossings section.
Entwistle, Hapton, Burnley Barracks and Pleasington stations are a "request stops" in real-life. However, on this simulation all trains booked to call at these locations will stop here.

Hall Royd Jn/Todmorden Viaduct Jn/Stansfield Hall Jn

Whilst Hall Royd Jn and Todmorden Station are timing points, Stansfield Hall Jn is not a timing point, the nearest being Copy Pit TP.

Padiham Power Station Branch

The Up and Down Padiham line was a former passenger and freight route between Blackburn (Daisyfield Jn), and Burnley via Great Harwood and Padiham. The section between Blackburn and Padiham closed in 1957, however the remaining line remained open to enable freight trains to service Padiham Power Station with coal until the Power Station finally closed in 1993. In 2005 it was converted to a Bridleway called "The Padiham Greenway".
As of 2020 the trackwork at Rose Grove West Junction was still in place as far as the adjacent M65 Motorway with the exception that points 816 were removed and "plain-lined". Therefore route Sig 385 to UDPM is not available to be used.
If a timetable is set for an era when Padiham Power Station was still operational then the legend Plain-lined and "Out of use" can be removed by changing the text colour to the same as the background colour in Options/Colours.

King Street Depot, Blackburn

KS1 is a reflectorised sign with the legend "Stop and Await Instructions" and is where mainline drivers are relieved by the depot drivers.
On arrival at KS1 the route can be set into the depot (KS1 - Depot).
On the reverse side of KS1 is KS2 which is the limit of shunt for trains within the depot on the Arrival Line.
Signal 450 is the limit of shunt for trains shunting within the depot on the Departure Line.

Blackburn Carriage Sidings

Due to limited stabling space at King Street Depot two stabling sidings behind platform 4 at Blackburn are used as an overflow for King Street Depot. See the relevant timetable for information regarding any stabling of services in either of these two sidings. 
Sdg1 & Sdg2 can accommodate 4 vehicles/carriages in each road (Sdg2 is only available from 2022 onwards). Also note that there is no access to stabled trains by passengers from Platform 4 and thus is only used as a stabling location. Tampers and other track machines may also stabled here when required.


Level Crossings

Bromley Cross Level Crossing
The foot Level Crossing at Bromley Cross Station is controlled by a Gate Box located on the southbound platform. The slotted signals controlling the route across the crossing are controlled by Manchester Piccadilly. When the route is set and the slot indicator for the relevant route is illuminated (steady white light), the Bromley Cross Gate Box will then lock the gates and the signals will display a proceed aspect to the driver.
It should be noted that this is the only access from one platform to another at Bromley Cross station and also provides a public access to the residential areas on opposite sides of the station.

Turton Level Crossing (Entwistle)
AOCL+B (Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored plus Barriers).
Operated by the approach of the train, monitored by the driver, controlled by Preston PSB.

The Oaks Level Crossing (Bromley Cross - Hall I' th'Wood)
UWC (User-Worked-Crossing Gates).
Road traffic wishing to cross The Oaks LC must first use the phone at the crossing to request permission to open the gates and cross. The protecting signals would then be held at Red until the user had phoned the signaller back. Monitored by Manchester Piccadilly.

Townley Level Crossing (Burnley)
MCB (Manned Gates).
Townley Level Crossing is controlled by a Gate Box located at the crossing. The slotted signals are controlled from Preston PSB.
When the slot is issued by Preston to Townley LC (illuminated steady white light), the Townley crossing keeper can close the barriers and release the signals at the appropriate time.
Use of the "A" button will retain the slot at Townley and the crossing keeper can close and open the barriers at their discretion.
There is no indication of barrier position on the panel at Preston.

Brierfield Level Crossing and Huncoat Level-Crossing
MCB-OB (Manned Gates with Obstacle Detection), controlled by Preston
Should the level crossing be obstructed then the gates will not close and the signals for the train will remain at Red. 
Both crossings are protected by signals. However in real life there is a non-stop and stopping train function which releases the signals earlier to prevent delays to express or ECS services that do not stop. This cannot be simulated by the software, so a slight compromise is that Huncoat Station has automatic signals.
Brierfield is on a One Train Only (OTOL) line. Signals PN552 & PN553 are approach released by a treadle operated by the approaching train.

Mintholme, Hospital and Bamber Bridge Level Crossings
Monitored by Bamber Bridge Box and controlled by Preston "B" Panel. 
Identical "slot" operation to Townley LC;  activation of the "A" button will retain the slot at the crossing.

Houghton Level Crossing
Automatic Half Barrier crossing, activated by the passage of the train, monitored by Preston PSB.

Low Moor Level Crossing (Clitheroe)
Up Clitheroe Departures: One minute before departure the guard/conductor must phone Horrocksford Signalbox to request permission to depart. 
The TRS simulates this phone request. Only when the TRS sounds can the route from Signal HJ3 be set.
It is prohibited for trains, which are booked to stop at Clitheroe Station, to approach HJ3 when it displays a Red aspect. This only applies to services that stop at Clitheroe Station in the Up direction (towards Blackburn). It does not apply to non-stop up-direction trains from the Cement Works, Hellifield or the Turnback.

Minor footpaths and farm crossings and other User-Worked Crossings, (UWC), are not shown.

Station Codes

	ACR - Accrington
	BBN - Blackburn
	BMB - Bamber Bridge
	BMC - Bromley Cross
	BNC - Burnley Central
	BRF - Brierfield
	BUB - Burnley Barracks
	CNE - Colne
	CLH - Clitheroe
	CTW - Church & Oswaldtwistle
	CYT - Cherry Tree
	DWN - Darwen
	ENT - Entwistle
	HCT - Huncoat
	HID - Hall I'TH Wood
	HPN - Hapton
	LHO - Langho
	LOH - Lostock Hall
	LTL - Littleborough
	MLH - Mill Hill
	NEL - Nelson
	PLS - Pleasington
	RGW - Ramsgreave & Wilpshire
	RIS - Rishton
	RSG - Rose Grove
	TOD - Todmorden
	WDN - Walsden
	WHE - Whalley

Start up Photo 

The start up photo is from platform 2 at Blackburn, showing 4-car class158 units.
Platform 2 signal showing a Red aspect is signal PN439.

Acknowledgment 

Many thanks to the PC-Rail team for their help with development and testing this East Lancashire simulation.

