Local Information (August 2025)   

Winsford Signal-box 

Built in 1897, this is a busy signal box on the West Coast Mainline in the north of England, 165 miles, (265 km) north of London and 7.5 miles or 12km north of Crewe). 

The simulation covers approximately 18 miles, (29km), of the high-speed railway on the West Coast Main Line, (WCML), between Crewe and Warrington. 

 The track-arrangement is set from January 2020 when Hartford Junction and Weaver Junction Signal boxes closed. 

(It can be used for timetables set prior to this, although there were some alterations to the track at Weaver Junction and Hartford Jn when the local boxes closed). 

North is to the right and south is to the left, west, (towards Runcorn & Liverpool), is top right. 

(The panel orientation is same as the signal-box) 

 Winsford Signal Box contains two separate positions, a lever-frame (Winsford 1), and a NX style panel, (Winsford 2), however they are commonly referred to as "Winsford" 

  

All lines on the panel are operated under Track-Circuit Block, (TCB), regulations. 

  

The Winsford(1) lever-frame has 52 levers, but only 6 are now functional, this frame controls signals and points from the left hand side of the screen to Sigs 151, (on the Down Main), and from Sig 100, (on the Up Main), (halfway between Winsford and Hartford Stations). 

  

The NX, Winsford (2) panel controls the rest which were formally controlled by the now closed Hartford Junction and Weaver Junction Signal-boxes. 

  

It is bordered by Crewe Coal Yard Signal-box (Signal suffix "CY") to the south, and Warrington PSB, (signal suffix "WN") to the north, and Manchester Regional Operating Centre (ROC)- Wavertree Work-station, (Signal suffix "WE") to the west. 

There is also a branch line from the Cheshire Lines Committee line, (CLC), that runs between Chester and Manchester, this is controlled by Greenbank Signal box, (Signal suffix "GK") for trains heading east. 

  

Signals that are controlled by Winsford are displayed as "number only", the neighbouring control signal-box areas have the two-digit code number included. 

  

The railway covered by this simulation is a very busy mixed traffic route with heavy flows of all types of trains. 

  

There are frequent services from all points of the UK mainland that transit the area covered, passenger, freight and engineering trains of all types pass through the area on this very busy mixed traffic route. 

Slower trains must be slotted in between the many fast expresses that transit the area, any late-running services will quickly cause knock-on effects for other services. 

  

There are also three small stations which some of the services stop at too. Winsford being the "simulation-main-station", (Acton Bridge for trains to & from the CLC line). 

  

There is only one passing loop in each direction, (which can be used by all types of trains), so any late running services can be overtaken if required. 

  

The majority of route-setting will be at either Weaver Junction or Winsford South Junction although some trains may be routed through the Hartford to Acton Bridge loops for various reasons, (passing trains, timing purposes, late running, etc). 

  

Signals on the simulation are mostly automatic or semi-automatic, however, care must be taken at Winsford, Acton Bridge and Hartford where trains may be routed via the slow lines and the signaller must be wary of reverting a signal in front of a train as it will cause a delay whilst the signal "times -out", (approx 2 mins), before the route can be reset.   

  

TRS, (Train-ready-to-Start), indications are only available at locations where trains can be scheduled to be held. 

Sigs 12 & 13 Winsford South Jn 

Sig 252 on the Up Slow Hartford Loop. 

Sig 255 on the Down Slow at Acton Bridge 

  

Also, Sigs 510 and 511 at Hartford Junction are fitted with TRS, (Common reversing locations for engineering/track machines such as tampers etc). 

  

These locations can only have a time inputted if the train is scheduled to stopping/dwell at these locations in the timetable. A "passing time" is not possible due to the close proximity of an adjacent timing point. 

  

Trains can also be scheduled to stop at Weaver Junction Sigs 162 & 168 should the timetable require it. 

  

  

  

If a train is held due to regulation/unscheduled stop by the signaller, (eg. to allow an on-time-faster-service to overtake), then the train held will generate an audible delay-alert regardless of its' location. 

  

The stations are NOT fitted with TRS. 

  

Shunting Notes, (IMPORTANT!) 

  

Hartford Junction 

There is a facility at Hartford Junction to reverse a train, (usually engineering/track machines/tampers etc), by using sigs 510 or 511. 

  

If a "timetabled-reversal" behind Sig 510 for a reversal then the route must ONLY be set to "Rev". 

The "Shunt-to" function should NOT be used for "timetabled" moves behind Sig 510, (if this is done it will result in the train NOT terminating at Sig 510 as it should). 

  

For non-timetabled moves, (such as a rescue loco or unit), the "Shunt-to" function MUST be used to reverse a loco or unit behind Sig 510. 

  

If the train is bound for Greenbank and beyond then the route should be set 252-GK18 or 150-GK18 or 511-GK18 - (the "REV" should be ignored, it is ONLY for shunting behind Sig 510). 

  

When shunting behind Sig 511 then the "Semi-Auto function at Sig 253 MUST be off and Sig 253 showing a RED aspect. 

  

  

The Start-up picture shows West Midlands Trains EMU 350 239 departing Winsford Station northbound on 1F42 05:34 Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street. 

(Picture by the author, May 2025 at Winsford Station). 

  

  

Information regarding the specific timetable in use can be found in the "Timetable Info" tab. 

As with any simulation there had to be very minor compromises, however, these are extremely minor and negligible). 

 

Enjoy the simulation! 

  

Ian 

August 2025 