Birmingham New Street PSB

[LNW-GW Joint]

Maybe a local can correct me on both counts. WMSC is at Saltley, adjacent to the Derby line and on or close to the site of the former PSB. As far as the extent of control of the Shrewsbury line goes, I believe WMSC controls the line approximately as far as Wellington.

WMSC control goes to about a mile east of Shrewsbury station.
The fringe box at Shrewsbury is Abbey Foregate.
WMSC has a Telford workstation for the line.

 

[Bald Rick]

So far as I am aware, this is (was) the last operating original 'Westpac' geographical interlocking (also employed at Euston, Wolverhampton and Walsall, all of which have of course, also been resignalled). I'm assuming all the 'NS' satellite interlockings (Soho, Perry Barr etc) have already been renewed (and not just recontrolled elsewhere). If so, most of the kit in there will have little to no value as 'strategic spares'.

I think it was the last Westpac Mk1, but later Marques are still in use (I think what’s left of Victoria is, for example).

 

[takno]

I think it was the last Westpac Mk1, but later Marques are still in use (I think what’s left of Victoria is, for example).

How much is left of Victoria after this week?

 

[Signal Head]

I think it was the last Westpac Mk1, but later Marques are still in use (I think what’s left of Victoria is, for example).

Victoria Is GEC Geographical, completely different system. Still plenty of later version Westpac around, as you state.

 

[Bald Rick]

How much is left of Victoria after this week?

About half of what was installed in the 80s is still there. But most of what has been replaced went a long time before this week.

Victoria Is GEC Geographical, completely different system. Still plenty of later version Westpac around, as you state.

Thank you - you are of course right! (And as I read your post, my memory remembered….)

 

[william.martin]

The 'new' box is the existing West Midlands Signalling Centre, in Saltley. It overlooks the line from New Street towards Tamworth and Nuneaton. The line from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury has been controlled by the WMSC for some years now.

Shrewsbury station and its immediate environs are controlled by a series of mechanical signal boxes, including Severn Bridge Jn, which has the dubious honour of being the largest working mechanical signal box in the world.

Wow, I have lived up the road from Severn bridge Jn and I only though it was the biggest in the UK, definitely getting a selfie next time LOL

 

[the sniper]

Is the work on schedule, is it being predicted that the possession will be handed back on time?

 

[The Planner]

Is the work on schedule, is it being predicted that the possession will be handed back on time?

I think its a staged handback throughout tomorrow. Not heard that its going to the right.

 

[bussnapperwm]

Ironically New Street PSB has been "used" on TV (ok, the outside of it has been used) on a BBC Drama called Hustle - it was used in season 7 as the Headquarters for "Do$h4You" (the interiors were filmed from nearby Alpha Tower)

 

[Bald Rick]

Is the work on schedule, is it being predicted that the possession will be handed back on time?

It was handed back early this morning.

 

[Birmingham]

The ‘goodbye message’ is still showing at Birmingham New Street on Traksy and OpenTrainTimes; does anyone know when this will be fixed?

 

[Watershed]

The ‘goodbye message’ is still showing at Birmingham New Street on Traksy and OpenTrainTimes; does anyone know when this will be fixed?

It's correct insofar as it displays the last output that came from New St PSB. It won't be 'fixed' until NR provide a feed from the new WMSC workstation, and Traksy/OTT then integrate this into their sites. That might take a little while yet.

 

[Birmingham]

It's correct insofar as it displays the last output that came from New St PSB. It won't be 'fixed' until NR provide a feed from the new WMSC workstation, and Traksy/OTT then integrate this into their sites. That might take a little while yet.

Ah, what a pain! Thanks for the information.

 

[Freightmaster]

...until NR provide a feed from the new WMSC workstation

For clarification, that data is definitely coming through the NROD feeds (the new Train Describer code is 'NS'),
but unusually for such a high profile project, I have not seen any track plans which show the new signal/berth
numbers, which is why OTT/Traksy and Railcam are struggling to produce updated maps.





MARK

 

[Watershed]

For clarification, that data is definitely coming through the NROD feeds (the new Train Describer code is 'NS'),
but unusually for such a high profile project, I have not seen any track plans which show the new signal/berth
numbers, which is why OTT/Traksy and Railcam are struggling to produce updated maps.





MARK

I thought as much! A site visit may be required

 

[Shwam3]

For clarification, that data is definitely coming through the NROD feeds (the new Train Describer code is 'NS'),
but unusually for such a high profile project, I have not seen any track plans which show the new signal/berth
numbers, which is why OTT/Traksy and Railcam are struggling to produce updated maps.

MARK

Plans were made available, I have updated my map https://signalmaps.co.uk/#newstreet

 

[Mag_seven]

Plans were made available

Where are the plans made available? Is it just to subscibers to the data feeds?

 

[Shwam3]

Where are the plans made available? Is it just to subscibers to the data feeds?

Not sure who has access, I was given access after an FOI a few years ago but I think NR's policy may have changed.

 

[62484GlenLyon]

I have just checked - Railcam now showing correctly, but OTT still showing the "goodbye" messages.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

We were given a fairly chunky book with all the changes for this, 'New Street Signalling Phase 7'. Somewhat interesting to those who enjoy such things. I'll see if I can get a pdf copy should anyone want one

 

[Mag_seven]

I'll see if I can get a pdf copy should anyone want one

Yes feel free to post it here if you do.

 

[takno]

I've just been trying to puzzle out the new signals for Traksy. I'll probably put an initial effort out later. Network Rail are mostly entirely unforthcoming with this information - it generally gets shared by individual staff members or industry partners.

It's a bit of a shame really

---- FOUR HOURS LATER. Cheers automerge ----

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Dec 2022 ==

I've got an attempt up at https://traksy.uk/live/M+10+BHAMNWS . I'm a bit confused by all the extra signals. It looks like there are additional signals on most platforms at the east end which the trains pass through for 30 seconds or so on departure. Whether these are actually signals or just additional tracked berths is debatable. There are also possibly similar signals in a westerly direction on 6 and 9. No idea what they are about so I've left them lying around on the platforms.

The signals appear to have X berths behind them which aren't clearing properly, so I've just ignored them.

FWIW interposing doesn't seem to be going very smoothly, and I'd guess (possibly completely wrongly) that the operator seems to be struggling to stay on top of everything. I guess that's not really surprising on a busy new layout, particularly if there is still no automatic route-setting. Hopefully it isn't too stressful all will be smoother soon.

 

[Mugby]

I take it the New Street Station area no longer has any compressed air points anymore? When were they replaced by electric motors?

 

[Railsigns]

The new signals (all 3 aspect) on each platform as are follows (from East to West):

Platform 1: BM6201 (U), BM5501 (D), BM6601 (U), BM5101 (D)
Platform 2: BM6202 (U), BM5502 (D), BM6602 (U), BM5102 (D)
Platform 3: BM6203 (U), BM6403 (U), BM5503 (D), BM6603 (U), BM5103 (D)
Platform 4: BM6204 (U), BM6404 (U), BM5504 (D), BM6604 (U), BM5104 (D)
Platform 4C: BM5114 (D)
Platform 5: BM6205 (U), BM6405 (U), BM5505 (D), BM6605 (U), BM5105 (D)
No. 1 Siding: BM8241 (U), BM7321 (D)
Platform 6: BM6206 (U), BM5506 (D), BM6606 (U), BM5306 (D), BM5106 (D)
Platform 7: BM6207 (U), BM6407 (U), BM5507 (D), BM6607 (U), BM5107 (D)
No. 2 Siding: BM8442 (U), BM7322 (D)
Platform 8: BM6208 (U), BM6408 (U), BM5508 (D), BM6608 (U), BM5308 (D), BM5108 (D)
Platform 9: BM6209 (U), BM6409 (U), BM5509 (D), BM6609 (U), BM5309 (D), BM5109 (D)
No. 3 Siding: BM8643 (U), BM8843 (U), BM7323 (D)
Platform 10: BM6210 (U), BM6410 (U), BM5710 (D), BM5510 (D), BM6610 (U), BM5110 (D)
Platform 11: BM6211 (U), BM6411 (U), BM5511* (D), BM6611 (U), BM5111 (D)
Platform 12: BM6212 (U), BM5512 (D), BM6612 (U), BM5112 (D)

(U) - Up direction signal
(D) - Down direction signal

* - A banner repeater is provided on approach (BM5511BR).

 

[Benters]

Nice touch!

Hmmm! A certain legendary Birmingham band labelled their final tour and very last gig (at Birmingham NEC back in February 2017) 'The End'...

 

[DaveHarries]

We were given a fairly chunky book with all the changes for this, 'New Street Signalling Phase 7'. Somewhat interesting to those who enjoy such things. I'll see if I can get a pdf copy should anyone want one

I would be interested in a copy too as I collect Signalling Notices. I have a good size collection already TBH.

Dave

 

[Signal Head]

I take it the New Street Station area no longer has any compressed air points anymore? When were they replaced by electric motors?

I think there has been a progressive replacement (by clamp locks from what I have seen) for many years. I think the last unconverted EP points I saw there were those leading to the engine sidings just outside the box.

 

[The Planner]

I think there has been a progressive replacement (by clamp locks from what I have seen) for many years. I think the last unconverted EP points I saw there were those leading to the engine sidings just outside the box.

And those sidings got ripped out a few years back to put new equipment for the resignalling on.

 

[Birmingham]

I've got an attempt up at https://traksy.uk/live/M+10+BHAMNWS

Thanks for your work! Do you think you’ll be able to get the state of the signals themselves to show? It looks like OpenTrainTimes has managed to do this. I find the interface of Traksy much easier to digest.

 

[william.martin]

Thanks for your work! Do you think you’ll be able to get the state of the signals themselves to show? It looks like OpenTrainTimes has managed to do this. I find the interface of Traksy much easier to digest.

Don't always trust traksy, see the highlighted part of the screenshot I took today.