The Exeter West Advanced Add-on Pack
The Standard version of Exeter West whilst adequately simulating
the key characteristics of operating the box, does not attempt to
simulate some of the more complex aspects. This compromise
enables the less experienced to keep traffic moving whilst still
maintaining a good level of realism. For customers who have purchased
full licenses for the Standard version and have acquired a good standard of competency
in box operation, we now offer an Add-on Pack which offers a
considerable amount of additional functionality to the extent that
virtually all aspects of operation are now simulated.
Please be aware that this additional functionality considerably adds to the difficulty of working the box - not only because of the increased complexity of the traffic patterns it enables, but because it is also much easier to "get in a mess" if a mistake is made. For this reason we only recommend that competent and confident users purchase this option
IMPORTANT -
Please note:- The Advanced Add-on pack requires an existing installation of the Exeter West Simulation therefore it can only be run on a machine which already has a licensed version of the Standard Exeter West programme registered on it. For this reason, and because it is intended for experienced users only, no "Demo" version is available.
The Advanced Add-on Pack License features:-
The Advanced version of Exeter West will install alongside your
existing Standard version installation and is accessed via a different
desktop icon. Therefore, you will retain full access to all existing
timetables, saved scenarios etc by running the Standard version. The
Software which runs the Advanced Version is exactly the same as
that which is used in the Preserved Exeter West box at Crewe including
the timetables in use there. All future updates to that software,
including new or amended timetables, will be made available to
purchasers who will be notified by email whenever such
updates are available for download.
Installation.
After purchasing a license, users will be sent a link from which
the Add-on Pack software can be downloaded along with the Registration
Code needed to register it on the user's machine. Once it has been
installed, the programme, when run, will check for a valid exsiting
registration of the standard version (in the absence of this the
programme will not run) and ask the user to enter the Registration
code. Once this has successfully been completed, the user has the
option to run either the Advanced, or the Standard versions at will via
two separate icons on the desktop or the Programmes List. This
means that users can continue to use the exsting timetables or any
saved scenarios by running the standard version. Please note that
timetables and scenarios from one version of the programme are not
compatible with the other version.
The Advanced Functionality highlights:-
Acceptance of Up trains and Regulation of Up Departures at Exeter Middle:-
In the standard version, Exeter Middle uses a simplified approach
to Accepting Up Trains from West - for example, Middle will
accept a Train from West even though a Departure is about to foul the
Clearing Point. Also, if a train has been accepted from West, Middle
will allow a subsequent departure to foul the Clearing Point.
In
the Advanced version however, all aspects of the Regulations are
applied. Hence, Middle will refuse trains offered by West when a
departure is timetabled. Equally, should West offer a Train "too soon",
Middle, Middle will hold a departure pending its arrival - with the
possibility of unnecessarily delaying traffic.
Regulation of Wrong Line working on the Down Lines to Exeter Middle:-
In the standard version, Exeter Middle uses a simplified approach to regulating Wrong Line or Blocking Back movements. In the Advanced version however, all aspects are properly managed. In consequence, West should pay careful regard to the Timetable when judging when to send wrong line movements. Also, the "Train or Vehicles at a stand" bell code (3-3-4) must be used after a Block Back before Middle will allow a Down Train to approach from East box. Lack of forethought therefore risks unnecessarily delaying traffic.
Full operation of Calling-on Arms and Permissive working of Up Trains:-
All Calling on arms are fully operational. Hence, in the Down direction, two trains or engines can be run up to Signal 122 and then separately signalled to (say) the Shed and the Goods siding. This is great boon at busy times. In the Up Direction, Middle will accept trains permissively into occupied sections - for example allowing an engine to wait behind a departure to either follow it through the section or be withdrawn Westwards. In the case of Passenger trains, Middle will accept these permissively, provided the train already in section will have cleared the platform before the arrival.
Additional Timetabled movements:-
Additional functionality now allows the full range of movements timetables on the real thing to be simulated. These include:-
- Return working of Bankers "Down the Bank"
- Pilot Engines in addition to Bankers on Up Southern Trains
- Timetabled splitting of Pilots and Bankers "Behind the box" on the Down Southern
- Attachment of "Tail Traffic" to Up trains
- Splitting / attachment of Traffic to Up trains at Middle
- Movements "Wrong Road" to and from Exeter Goods on the Goods lines
Timetables:-
A full 24 hour timetable, including over 400 trains, is included.
This timetable, created by Roger Gilroy, is fully authentic,
representing the known weekday service of the early 'sixties based on
extensive research by the Exeter West Group. It includes some very
intensive operational spells throughout the day and fully exploits all
the additional functionality provided in the Advanced version.
It is the intention to develop additional timetables covering (for
example) the Summer Saturday operations, and purchasers will be
notified when these become available for installation.
The advanced Version includes an enhanced representation of the layout of the blockshelf as it existed around 1960
.
Difficulty Rating:- 9.5 out of 10
Purchase Price:- £30.50
Summary of additional Features:
- Full regulation of departures at Exeter Middle
- Full regulation of all "Wrong road" and "Block Back" movements on
the Down Lines, including holding trains at East
- Full operation of Up and Down Calling-on arms
- Permissive working of Up Trains to Middle
- Attachment of "tail Traffic" to Up trains
- "Wrong-line" working of trains to and from Goods on the goods lines
- Timetabled use of Pilots, as well as Bankers on Up Southern Trains
- Timetabled splitting of Bankers and Pilots "behind the box" on
the Down Southern
- Return working of Banking Locos "down the bank"
- Fully Authentic timetable covering a full weekday 24 hours
exploiting the available functionality
- "Perpetual lifetime upgrade" mirroring all developments in the
preserved Exeter West box
- Continued access to the Standard version including its timetables and scenarios.
- Option to enter a "Start-time" from which the timetable can be
run on start-up.
- Better representation of the layout of the blockshelf
- ... plus all the existing feature in the Standard version!