HARROGATE

This simulation covers the line from Leeds to York, otherwise known as the Harrogate loop. The loop is in fact the remnants of a much larger network of lines
surrounding Harrogate which were axed throughout the 1960's by beeching. The Line from Leeds to Harrogate was opened in 1848, by the Leeds & Thirsk Railway (later part of the North Eastern Railway)
and ran north through to Thirsk, and later Northerllerton, joining the ECML and  also Stockton. This was the main line in the area, carrying express trains from leeds through to Newcastle and Scotland. There was also a Junction at Crimple, between Hornbeam park and Pannal, for the line to Wetherby, Cross Gates and Church Fenton.
 The line from Harrogate to Northallerton closed to passengers in 1967, and freight in 1969. The Line through Wetherby closed in 1964.

The Line from York to Harrogate was also opened in 1848 by the East & West Yorkshire Junction Railway (also latterly the North Eastern Railway), connecting with the Leeds & Thirsks branchline from Harrogate to Knaresborough. The Line passed through Starbeck which was the site of the principle shed for the Harrogate area, and also the branch for the line to Pannal, avoiding Harrogate, which closed in 1951. A number of stations on this section of line were closed in 1958 and the remaining line was partially singled
between Knaresborough and Poppleton around 1973. 

Of note, after the line to Northallerton closed, is that Harrogate became the new datum point for both remaining lines. As such trains depart in the up direction both ways, and arrive in the down direction both ways.

The Signalling is based on the post 2012 & 2020 resignalling at Harrogate, which saw Harrogate North Box take control of the area formerly controlled by Rigton and Horsforth Boxes in 2012. This is worked from a Computer workstation, while the station area is still largely Semaphore, controlled from a 45 lever frame. the remaining boxes are all Lever frames, working a mixture of semaphore and colour light signals. The Line From Harrogate to Leeds and Poppleton to York is worked by Track circuit Block. The Double track sections between Harrogate and Poppleton are worked by Absolute block, and single line sections are operated by Electric Key Token (Tokenless block from 2020) The Fringe boxes are York IECC -Leeds West workstation at Horsforth, and York IECC York North Workstation at Poppleton. 
Harrogate down siding was removed in 2012, only to be reinstated in 2019 for LNER services to recess in. Hessay MOD Sidings were lifted around 1991, and the ground frame was finally disconnected in 2020, however this been left to facilitate older timetables being produced.  Harrogate also received a new crossover (50 points) in December 2020, facilitating trains arriving from leeds direct into Platform 3. Timetables set prior to this should avoid using this set of points. 
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Opening Screen

170474 departs Harrogate with 2C28 from Leeds (11.29) to York. From the north end of platform 1 (opposite the signal box) giving a good view of five emaphore signals. Photo courtesy of www.railwayworld.net .

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Electrification

No lines are Electrified
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Special Working Instructions

All Platforms and the the through line at Harrogate are permissive for Passenger trains, Light locos and Empty stock. 
Harrogate Platform 2 is not for passenger use as it's fenced off and partially inside a goods shed. Normally it's only used for storing empty stock. Historical timetables(roughly prior to 1989/90) may use it for passenger services where appropriate. I have simulated the full length of the bay to allow for historical timetables, however in reality only a short section is in use.
Although not interlocked in the simulation, trains shouldnt be signalled from C01 to C02, while an Up train is approaching Cattal, or passing over the pointwork. Such trains should be held at C01 until the line is clear. The Same applies at Poppleton for P02 and P03 signals.
Down trains should normally depart Knaresborough from the Down platform, however in the event of failure or extreme delay, they are authorised to depart from the up platform if required.
Semaphore signals will not clear to a proceed aspect unless the signal in advance is showing a proceed aspect. in this instance they are simulated to be approach controlled to red, as they would be operated in reality.
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Signal Boxes

Signals and points are prefixed/suffixed to denote the controlling signal box.

Harrogate Workstation - Signals in the 1xx range. in real life these are 4 digit numbers in the 1xxx range, prefixed LH.
Harrogate Frame -no Prefix
Starbeck - S
Knaresborough - K
Cattal - C
Hammerton - H
Poppleton - P
Hessay MOD GF - W
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Level Crossings

Controlled Crossings are provided at Poppleton, Hammerton, Cattal (all manually worked gates) Starbeck (MCB) and Rigton (CCTV)

Rigton - to be lowered when non stop trains enter the previous block section, or when stopping trains are approaching Pannal and Weeton as the block sections are deceptively long.
Starbeck - to be lowered when a train departs Harrogate or Knaresbrorough. Where possible, trains should cross each other on one lowering of the barriers to reduce congestion on the high street!
Cattal & Hammerton - Normally closed after a train has spent around 4 minutes in the single line sections approaching them.  Also lowered as a train is approaching the adjacent box on the double line sections
Poppleton - Closed immediately for trains from York, closed approximately 4 minutes after a train from Hammerton has entered the single line section.

Knaresborough also controls a gated crossing and locked wicket gates, however this is only opened as required a handful of times per day and isn't simulated as a result. 

Nether Poppleton is an AHB crossing supervised by York IECC and doesnt require any user input.

Several user worked crossings (UWC) are also shown, though currently have no function in the simulation.
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Platform & Siding Lengths TO DO

Harrogate
P1-
P2-
P3-
TL-
Up Sdg-
Dn Sdg-

Horsforth
Platforms-
Turnback Sdg-
Down Sdg-

Reporting Numbers

Trains use the standard Network rail headcodes. 
Harrogate Loop trains are typically 2Cxx services
In more recent timetables, 2Exx are leeds - Harrogate semi fast services.
East Coast workings are 1Axx to London and 1Dxx back. 3xxx or 5xxx denotes an ECS service.
RHTT services are 3Sxx. There is no booked freight in the modern period. 

Variations from real life
Harrogate up siding actually has two short sidings which are mainly used for on track machine storage. these have been ommited to save space, however the Up sidings location can still be used to store stock if required. 
There are Crossing keepers provided at Hessay, Marston Moor, Wilstrop, Whixley, Hammerton Road and Belmont Crossings. Although these do control signals, I haven't simulated them as they have no block signalling function, and to attempt this is impractical at present.

Acknowledgements & Thanks

Robert Davey, Graham Hardcastle, Noel Young, Phil Graham ..... TBC

