Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

Stepford County Railway - Signalling Training Manual

Last updated: 13:15 31/12/2018

As a Signaller in Stepford we expect very high standards from our Signallers. We expect them to be
professional and quick. We also expect them to follow all rules as stated in the training program and
follow all techniques as provided below in this Manual.

After V1.1 was released, there are many changes to the way how Signalling System is running in
Stepford County Railway. There is no re-training programme, but, Senior Signallers will be happy to
cover a session to reflect on the new changes if you request one if necessary.

- Rules ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Always follow Senior Staff.
2 - Follow all guidelines and techniques.
3 - When a Senior Signaller asks you to move signalling stations, move.
4 - Do NOT be biased when choosing what train departs, follow the rules.
5 - When you are not working in Stepford East ROC, please use different role.

- Basic’s Of Signalling -------------------------------------------------

Green Signal Aspect - (3 Aspect) “Proceed”
 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

This signal aspect means the driver can proceed at line speeds,
meaning the next signal maybe yellow or green. This means the next two block sections
ahead of the track are clear.

Yellow Signal Aspect - (3 Aspect) “Caution”

This signal aspect means the driver has to slow down to 45 MPH in order to stop for the
next danger signal.

Red Signal Aspect - (3 Aspect) “Danger”

A Red Signal Aspect means the driver must stop at all costs! The block section ahead is
either occupied or being controlled by a signaller.

- AWS = Automatic Warning System - Used to give bell sounds/warning to a driver

if there is a change in speed or next signal is being changed.

- TPWS = Train Protection Warning System - Used to stop trains after passed
Signal at Danger in order to prevent an accident.

- SCR Signalling System ---------------------------------------------

The SCR signalling system is based off SimSig, it works very efficiently like SimSig when it is used
correctly. When logging onto a station, you first must get to learn where all of the trains are and
where they are going, you must NOT put red signals in front of a train unless it is 3 blocks ahead so
the train can slowly go from a Green Signal Aspect to a Red Signal Aspect if needed.
 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

- Points and Signals ----------------------------------------------------

To change a signal you select the signal you wish to change by clicking these buttons:

When the P button is selected, the aspect will change to green.

When the C button is selected, the aspect will change to yellow.
When the D button is selected, the aspect will change to red.

Points are automatically controlled by the train’s destination and

sensors. In the stations with more than 1 platform in the same
direction, it is likely that it will have a pattern of occupying the platform.
For example, In Angel Pass, on westbound direction (towards Stepford
Central), Platform 2 will get occupied first before Platform 3.

- Desks --------------------------------------------------
---------------------

There are lots of desks in Stepford East ROC, it is important that we are to be able to identify the
desks to do a quick and efficient swap over in case a driver requires an communication and it’s out
of range on your current desk. It is ideally to know the signals numbers and which desk they are at.
Here’s the list of desks with what routes it contains and a range of signal number.

This section is currently Work In Progress, keep come back to have a look at this once updated.

Desk 1B:

Desk 1D:

Desk 1E:

Desk 2A:

Desk 2B:

Desk 2C:

Desk 2D:
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Desk 2E:

Desk 3C:

- Train Headcodes --------------------------------------------------------

The Train Headcodes are used to identify the train in the many ways e.g., it’s route, destination,
priority. A big change is the introduction of 9xxx headcode which it’s identify as the Passenger
service with limited stops, it is used to help Signallers to prepare the route to be running smoothly for
this service as it is running non stop for some of the stops. As well the 2nd letter of headcode have
been changed to the destinations, rather than the lines.

1xxx = Express (Non-stop Airlink) Service

2xxx = Stopper (Passenger) Service
5xxx = Empty Coach Stock Service
9xxx = Semi-fast (skips some stops, give priority)
xx32 = Last two numbers generated.

The 2nd letter of headcode(xAxx) represents of the destinations, below are the list of destinations.
A - Stepford Airport
B - Benton
E - Edgemead
L - Leighton
P - Port Benton
G - Greenslade
M - Morganstown
Y - Berrily
N - Newry
H - Newry Harbour
C - Connolly
J - James Street
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T - St Helens Bridge
S - Stepford Central
V - Stepford Victoria

To avoid the confusion, Berrily is always treated as Y, not B as B is taken for Benton. H is always
Newry Harbour, not St Helens Bridge. St Helens Bridge is T as 2nd letter of the station.

- Train Reporting System -----------------------------------------------

Trains report by a Red bar with the train headcode in the middle, they only show in stations. But with
a introduction of blue dot, you can use it to find out
where are the trains in a desk.

The main board shows the full network and signals

cannot be manually changed here.

- SCR Signalling Strategies -------------------------------------------

When signalling a station in SCR, it requires great skill. Here are some strategies to control in a
professional manner to maintain full safety across the network.

- When in the control room, only control one desk at once.

- When you are not signalling please do not use the Signaller rank as people may get
confused and think you are signalling. This also saves bad communications between
drivers and signallers.
- When you start signalling notify all drivers via chat that you are now in control of a desk.
- Remember to have chat visible while signalling so drivers can inform you of any issues
in the area that you are controlling.
 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

- Remain calm at all times even during stressful situations as rushing can cause more
issues.

- Starting up your desk -------------------------------------------------

When you first get to your chosen desk, first do the following safety procedure:

1. Check where all trains are and if they are all running smoothly.
2. Check that no trains are nearby won’t be disruption as you are changing the signals in
order to set up.
3. Check that there aren’t any issues occured on the desk.

After this has been completed, you must set your desk up exactly like this. This is an example of
Coxly which contains 5 platforms and one depot.

1 - (REDBOX) Make sure any colliding

junctions signals are set to DANGER to
prevent trains speeding through and to
allow other signals to be CLEAR to give a
priority to Express.
2 - (BLUEBOX) Make sure a station start
signals are at Danger to prevent Skippers.

When a train pulls into a platform, you can

clear the signal to the aspect required, this
prevents skippers. As shown in the Red
box, the colliding junction is a Depot so
mainline trains get priority over depot
trains.
NOTICE: Some stations don’t require the start signals to be set to danger, look at setting up the
stations to understand it more.

- Setting up the Depot

As usual, all lines in the depots are allowed to have a proceed aspect at all the time, no further
actions need apart from the exit. Regards of Depot Exit Signal, you may put a Proceed on the Depot
Exit Signal to allow the flow from depots, especially in a busy period. If there is a mainline train
approaching, you have to change it to Danger as mainline trains get priority over depot trains.
HOWEVER, this doesn’t apply to Stepford Airport Depot for Stepford Central Bound Services (Not to
be confused with sidings) when the depots only have one block section before joining mainline,
therefore there have to be two danger signals set up to both sidings in the depot. When one train has
appeared in one of the blocks, you may check if the line is cleared before you can switch signals to
allow a depot exit to display a proceed aspect.
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- Setting up the Stations

Usually, the stations will have a danger signal set up on the platform in order to prevent trains from
skipping stations. HOWEVER, as of V1.1, there are new lines, new services and for many cases,
some new services will have limited stops, especially on the new line between St Helens Bridge and
Morganstown where the line speed is averaged out of 85mph. Therefore, to keep the trains running
smoothly, these stations who have services that are booked to pass at speed will have a green
platform signal. Look at the list of stations that have the authorisation to have trains booked to pass
at speed limits.

- List of stations with services booked to pass.

Financial Quarter
City Hospital
Stepford East
St Helen’s Bridge
Angel Pass
New Harrow
Elsemere Pond
Elsemere Junction (Airlink)
Berrily (Airlink Eastbound journey only)
Morganstown (Airlink only)
Airport Parkway (Airlink only)
Rocket Parade

NOTICE: ANGEL PASS, the signals on the approach to the station can be set to caution in case a
semi-fast service approaches on the fast line as the train departs the platform. This is to prevent
SPAD’s. This is only applied to Eastbound services. On westbound platforms, the signals may be set
to Danger until the Headcode 9 train is approaching where the signals on platform 2 can be changed
to clear to keep the trains running smoothly.
 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

NOTICE: ROCKET PARADE, the signals on the stations platform will remain as caution as the line
speed is only 45 mph and next stop is a very short distance.

NOTICE: MORGANSTOWN, Airlink have two platforms which platform 4 is booked for
passing/taking over while Platform 5 is for stopping Airlink

Priorities -----------------------------------------------------------------
Priorities is one of the important part in Signalling and it’s helps to operate the network effectively
and brings a great in the communication between signallers and drivers.

(1CXX>9CXX>2CXX>5CXX>2WXX>5WXX)
● Express has priority over all trains unless a train is delayed! (1xxx take priority over
9xxx)
● Connect trains have priority over Waterline trains, if the Waterline train is delayed that
will have priority.
● Airlink trains have priority over Connect and Waterline trains
● Mainline trains always have priority over depot trains.

NOTE: Being biased and allowing “friends” trains to have priority when clearly not will result in
serious punishment - Play it fair.
 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

- Crossovers---------------------------------------------------------------
When two tracks collide, e.g Benton Crossover you must set all of your junction starter signals to
danger. Here’s an example of Benton.
At this junction, all starting signals can be either red until a train
is approaching OR have one route with high priority secured to
clear and leave other routes set to danger. If you wish the mainline
may have an amber aspect if the Waterline isn't very busy to save
the controllers management. This is to prevent trains speeding to
fast and colliding with trains over the crossover.

Note: When a train is approaching a signal a blue dot will appear

notifying you that a train is approaching so you can make the
needed changes for the train to proceed. (Image Below)

- Time Tables --------------------------------------------------------------

As a signaller, you are responsible for keeping trains flowing and keeping them to time. If a train is
late, they have priority over early services, and ontime services when departing a station and at
junctions. Here are some examples on what you should do:

Questions: If a train is on platform 1 that is a Stopping Service and a train is on Platform 2 and is
also a stopping service. The Platform 1 train is +5 Early whereas the Platform 2 train is -3 Minutes
late but is due to depart at 17:00. The platform 1 Train is due to depart at 17:05. What train shall
depart first?
Answer: The train on platform 2 will depart first because it is 3 minutes late.

Questions: Trespassers between Benton and Coxly, what do you do?

A: Let trains run through at speed.
B: Do nothing.
C: Stop trains from flowing through that section and contact a Manager.
Answer: C
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- TRTS - Train Ready to Start ------------------------------------------

If you have followed the rules and correctly set your desk up, this process will be easy.

When a train arrives at a platform, the station starter signal should be red,
When a dispatcher is ready to dispatch the train or the train is ready to depart. The headocode will
light up yellow as shown here.

This means the train is ready to depart so when the block ahead is clear the signal can be cleared.

- Commands ---------------------------------------------------------------
This is a rare opportunity for signallers to have access to admin commands, however as much as we
want you to enjoy your position as a Signaller we just want to point out that you should be aware that
your rank is classed as a low rank and not a high rank. We have given you the commands to kick
and mute as we feel you could use these in situations that may arise. However, this doesn't mean
that you are a part of the admin team, Do not use the commands without requesting permission from
a High Rank or above as we have received a couple of complaints about it being abused.

Commands should be the last resort. If you genuinely think it is ruining the game and nobody is
online or responding to your tags then follow the procedure below:
1. Take a screenshot of what is happening
2. Perform the least intrusive command possible, e.g. mute instead of kick if it's just a chat
violation
3. Report the action to a HR or a HNS with your reason and some context of how it got to
that point and why you did the command you did.

Then, the HR you reported the incident to will see your message next time they are online and will
probably respond to let you know whether you did the right thing or not. Proof is required so the HR
can assess the situation. It's only things that affect another player's experience and game that we
are concerned about. These are players and customers and it's really important that you don't affect
their game by misjudging the situation or without attaining the full facts. By asking one of us to
approve the request, you dissolve all responsibility and it's the person who said "yes" who is on the
line instead of you. It protects you and our players.
 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

This is the command list:

- Communications --------------------------------------------------------

There will be a tab in the chat box to communicate between Dispatchers and Signallers. This is
something that you need to keep an eye on out during operations, in case of emergencies. You
should make announcements about delays or communicate with the drivers in the ‘All’ tab. ‘Team’
tab is the private chat between you and other signallers (as the team members)

As a Signaller in Stepford, we expect very high standards from our Signallers. We expect them to be
professional and quick. We also expect them to follow all rules as stated in the training program and
follow all techniques as provided below in this manual.

This is an example for “:trainlist”

 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

This is an example list for “:dispatcherlist”

This is an example list for “:traininfo”

 Stepford County Railway Signalling Manual

Now, Billythepet here as a Head of Network Signalling, I would like to wish you the best of luck with
the trainings for the Signaller Role. I am looking forward to seeing you out and about in Stepford
East Rail Operations Centre!