GENERAL

The Norwich area, as represented in this simulation, is largely controlled from one panel of Colchester Area Signalling Centre. These arrangements date from 1987, when electrification and resignalling of the route between Colchester and Norwich was completed. Work included remodelling the track layout in the Norwich area, extension of platforms and replacing the Trowse Swing Bridge. 

The resignalling of the Cromer line was commissioned in 2000, using a Computer Based Interlocking (CBI). This included Whitlingham Junction, which is also included in the simulation, and is controlled from a workstation in Trowse Swing Bridge box, 

Standard BR multiple aspect signalling is in use, with Track Circuit Block working. Signal numbers have the prefix CO (Colchester) or TB (Trowse Bridge).

The large Crown Point maintenance depot has its own signalbox to contol movements within the depot area, which includes the Wensum Curve line, used by a limited number of through freight traffic to bypass the Norwich station area. 


RUNNING LINES

Bidirectional working is available as follows:-

* Lines A, B, C, D, E and W.
* Up & Down Main between Trowse Swing Bridge and Lakenham Crossover (2837)
* Norwich station platform lines
                         
Permissive working of trains of classes 1,2,3 and 5 is permitted on all platform lines.

Non-passenger trains, including ECS and light engine movements may terminate or originate from Crown Point Depot, the Carriage Sidings, Thorpe Goods Yard, Jubilee Sidings, Redland Stone Sidings and Victoria Sidings.

Through freight trains between the Main or Thetford line and the Lowestoft or Cromer line are normally routed via the Wensum Curve, which requires them to be signalled through the Crown Point controlled area. Other freight services are routed to the appropriate yard line. There are no designated stopping places on running lines for freight trains scheduled to stop in the Norwich area. 


PLATFORMS
 
The capacities of platforms are as follows:-
    
         Platform              No. of Coaches
   			 
             1                       14
             2                       14
             3                       12
             4                       12
             5                        9
             6                        6

         (Reduce capacity by 1 for each loco)
                               
The capacities of sidings, etc, are as follows:-

         Line/Siding           No. of Coaches(Wagons)
         
     Middle Siding
      (between sig 792 & stops)      9
     Engine Neck                     2 
     Headshunt                      10
     Fuel Siding                     4
     Trowse Loop                    12 (24)


ELECTRIFICATION

Lines in the controlled area are electrified using the 25kV AC overhead system, with the exception of the Lowestoft line beyond signal 550 (approx), the Cromer line and the Thetford line. In the station area, Platform 6 is not electrified, nor are the Jubilee Sidings, Goods Yard or Carriage Sidings.

  
TRAIN REPORTING NUMBERS

First Character (Train Class):

     1      Express Passenger  
     2      Ordinary Passenger       	
     3      Parcels  (Max. 90 mph+)  	
     4      Freight (Max. 65 mph+)      
     5      Empty Coaching Stock     	
     6      Freight (Max. 50-60 mph)    
     7      Freight (Max. 40-45 mph)    
     8      Freight (Max. 35 mph) 		
     9      Unfitted Freight  			
     0      Light Engine             	

Second Character (Trains terminating in, at or between):
    
     A      Manningtree and Harwich Town
     C      Stratford and Gidea Park
            Norwich/Great Yarmouth via Reedham
     D      Ipswich to Lowestoft
     E      To East Coast Main Line Zone
     F      Chelmsford and Colchester
     J      Norwich/Lowestoft
     K      Norwich/Cambridge
     L      To East Anglia Zone
     M      To Midland Zone and North West Zone
     N      Norwich to Midlands Zone or North West Zone 
     O      To South Zone and South West Zone
     P      Stowmarket and Norwich/Great Yarmouth
     S      To Scotland Zone
            Norwich/Sheringham
     T      To Colchester/Marks Tey and Sudbury
     V      To Great Western Zone
     W      Harold Wood and Ingatestone
     X      Out of gauge & exceptional loads
     Y      Ipswich
     Z      Special trains, Local Movements	        

Trains to London Liverpool Street show the letter appropriate to their point of origin.

The third and fourth characters indicate the individual train reporting number:

     Trains FROM London Liverpool Street are EVEN numbered.
     Trains TO London Liverpool Street are ODD numbered.

Light locos and empty coaching stock proceeding to/from a booked working may carry the headcode 0 or 5, followed by the last 3 characters of the train concerned.


DESIGN COMPROMISES

The numbering of shunt signals and points has been shortened by omitting the leading digit, e.g. points 2845 shown as 845, shunt signal CO1751 shown as 751.

Shunt signals 1783, 1785, 1787, 1760 have been omitted.


OPERATING NOTES

For keyboard input of signal numbers for setting routes to/from signals prefixed 'TB' use the prefix '6', e.g. for signal TB51, enter 651.

The 2 crossovers located near the buffer stops of Norwich station are controlled by ground frames released from Colchester ASC, and no signals are provided for such movements. As these crossovers are rarely used, they are not operational within this simulation.


STARTUP SCREEN PICTURE

Thanks to Paul Sharpe for permission to use the picture, which shows Norwich station on 20th May 2003. From the left the locos are 86215, 90048, 86230 and 66703, with a Class 170 DMU in Platform 6. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Thanks are due to David Lyas, Steve Williams and Robin Maslin for providing invaluable information to assist in producing this simulation. Thanks also to Alan Sugden, Peter Dean and Vagn Poulsen for their thorough testing.

