

LEEDS CITY

This Simulation is based on the layout in the period 1937 - 1961, but with all mechanical signals converted to colour lights.  The Station was operated as two sections.  Platforms 1 to 6 are the original Midland Railway station, with mechanical signals and points.  These were controlled from Leeds City Wellington SB.  Plaforms 7 to 16 were the 'Joint' station, originally built as a separate station with the platforms numbered 1 to 10 and was known as Leeds New.  The concourse and frontage of the stations were rebuilt in the early 1930s and the 'New' platforms became 7 to 16.

New station was resignalled in 1937 with the West end controlled by Colour Light signals and electro-pneumatic points, all operated from a panel in a new Leeds West SB.  The East end retained mechanically operated points, but signals were converted to Colour Lights.  These were controlled from a new East SB which contained a small lever frame for the points and a switch panel mounted above the frame for operating the signals.

All other Signal Boxes in the area controlled mechanically operated signals and points, although Leeds Wellington had colour light signals for Nos. 301, 303 and 304 for space and visibility problems.

Sidings between Platforms 4 & 5, 7 & 8, 9 & 10 and 13 & Down Goods have been omitted in order to fit the simulation into a reasonable vertical space, but do not detract from the operation of the station.

For the purpose of the Simulation, Signal and point numbers have been allotted separate series for each Signal Box as shown below.

Leeds East: .. ... ... 101 - 150
Leeds West: .. ... ... 201 - 280
Leeds Wellington: . .. 301 - 330
Canal Junction: .. ... 401 - 440
Whitehall Junction: .. 501 - 540
Engine Shed Junction:. 601 - 640
Marsh Lane: .. ... ... 701 - 750  Note that Auto Controls allow the Box to be switched out, particularly on Sundays. 
Neville Hill West: ... 751 - 799

The crossovers at Canal Junction between the LNW (Viaduct) lines and the Midland lines were operated by co-operation between Canal SB (432 & 433) and West SB (253 & 255).

The Platforms will accomodate the following number of vehicles, which is inclusive of the locomotive(s):

Parcels Platform ..  8
Platform 1 .. .. ..  8
Platform 2 .. .. ..  8
Platform 3 .. .. .. 10
Platform 4 .. .. .. 10
Platform 5 .. .. .. 10 (to sig 301)
           .. .. .. 14 (full length)
Platform 6 .. .. .. 14
Platform 7 .. .. ..  8
Platform 8 .. .. ..  8
Platform 9 .. .. ..  8
Platform 10 . .. ..  9
Platform 11 . .. ..  7 (West end)
            . .. .. 10 (East end)
            . .. .. 19 (Full length)
Platform 12 . .. .. 16
Platform 13 . .. .. 16
Platform 14 . .. ..  8
Platform 15 . .. ..  9
Platform 16 . .. ..  9

Note that the Parcels Platform and the Shunt Line have been given individual 'Locations'.  This allows trains to be timetabled to stop at either position.
The Shunt Line between signals 240 and 252 will accomodate 8 coach lengths, requiring some trains to be split for shunting.
Shunting can also be timetabled to 'Location' Nth Shunt (between signals 402 and 315 and between signals 403 and 327) each holding 9 coach lengths.
At the East end, shunting can be timetabled to 'Location' East Shunt between signals 141 and 138, 142 and 140, 143 and 144 and between 139 and 136, each holding at least 2 coach lengths.  It is also possible to shunt towards signal 147 and this will allow 10 coach lengths to be shunted behind signal 145 as a timetabled movement.

Through trains on the ex-Midland lines generally use Platforms 5 and 6 as these are the only ones long enough for these trains.  Locos for the outward train usually waited between signals 402 and 315, which involved reversing at 303 signal.  Shorter trains (max Loco + 7 coaches) can reverse in Platforms 3 and 4.  Trains on the 'New' side which reverse generally use Platforms 11 and 12, the outward locos often waiting on the Through Road between Signals 212 and 208.



TRAIN REPORTING NUMBERS

The Four-character code used varied in meaning throughout the years and full details are shown in the Timetable Notes for each timetable.

The first Character refers to the Class or Type of train, the second character refers to the destination or route of the train and the third and fourth characters are numeric which identify a particular train.


STARTUP SCREEN:

The photograph on the startup screen is Britannia Class 4-6-2 No.70025 "Western Star" from Aston (Birmingham) MPD.  It was taken by Peter Dean from the windows of Leeds West Signal Box on 19th April 1962.  Signal W20 is shown on the Simulation as No.220.


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 are due to John Dennis (Mr. PCRail) for providing the facility and assistance to develop this simulation, and also to Alan Sugden, John Paxton, Nicholas Roberts, Peter Mould, Rob Roeterdink, Richard Harrison and Vagn Poulsen for their many hours of work in testing the correct operation of the Simulation and the timetable.

Peter Dean
Original version - 9 September 2007
This version - 21 January 2014 incorporating later additional features.  Shunt Line and Parcels Platform made separate 'Locations'.