Sheffield PSB closing

[edwin_m]

Sheffield interlocking didn't originally have a TDM to the panel, but I understand one was installed in recent years, almost certainly as part of the planned recontrol, for the reasons you describe.

Elsewhere, other, more recent installations (eg Crewe, 1985) were built with a TDM from new, despite the interlocking being in the same building, again to allow for eventual recontrol, although there were no definite plans for that at the time. There has also been a programme of TDM renewals in remote interlockings, as the old systems aren't easily interfaced to the new ROC systems.

Interesting and rather surprising that they have chosen to do this at Sheffield rather than take the Reading option. There the existing layout was re-signalled like for like, keeping most of the existing signals and point machines but connecting them to a new computer-based interlocking. This was then modified in a series of stages to achieve the final layout, taking advantage of the computer-based interlocking and control systems being easier to modify than relays and panels.

 

[lincolnshire]

Out of curiosity, what would I see if I went into the control room now everything is operated by York?

At a good guess you would see everything just as if the staff had just nipped out except that the panel would be black, no lights indicating track circuits occupied or train descriptions and the buttons and switches would no longer control anything outside.

Now there will be a couple of guys at York looking at a monitor or two instead and flicking there tracker ball instead to control things.

Better known as progress as long as the phone lines don,t go down then what will we do?

 

[Western Lord]

And was this weekend the best one to pick given a certain sport is taking place there?

If you are referring to the snooker, The Crucible Theatre holds all of 900 people, so not exactly like Old Trafford turning out after a match.

 

[ilkestonian]

Sheffield's is a waste when one thinks about how it was only refurbished a few years ago

But I thought the only way a Bobby knew their box was about to close was when the decorators turned up to given it a lick of paint

 

[lincolnshire]

But I thought the only way a Bobby knew their box was about to close was when the decorators turned up to given it a lick of paint

That was always the case back in B.R. days, if the painters came and repairs were done then how long had you left before closure then?

 

[John Webb]

Interesting and rather surprising that they have chosen to do this at Sheffield rather than take the Reading option. There the existing layout was re-signalled like for like, keeping most of the existing signals and point machines but connecting them to a new computer-based interlocking. This was then modified in a series of stages to achieve the final layout, taking advantage of the computer-based interlocking and control systems being easier to modify than relays and panels.

I suspect this was to keep costs down, as I expect that when electrification gets to Sheffield it will result in significant changes in rail layout and a complete resignalling as a necessity. Indeed, would the present track circuits etc be AC immune?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That was always the case back in B.R. days, if the painters came and repairs were done then how long had you left before closure then?

It's interesting that we have photographic evidence that St Albans South box had at least the exterior repainted into BR all-white some time between late 1976 and its closure in December 1979.......

 

[talltim]

The north end track layout at Sheffield is definitely dated, with the unused Down Siding and the very short unused Centre Siding, etc. The pointwork was replaced a few years ago but the layout remained the same.

 

[carriageline]

better known as progress as long as the phone lines don,t go down then what will we do?

It isn't a "phone line", it's a diverse Fixed Telecomms network, with plenty of diverse networks. Trust me, this is nothing new.

But hey, facts can ruin a good moan up can't they!!

 

[edwin_m]

I suspect this was to keep costs down, as I expect that when electrification gets to Sheffield it will result in significant changes in rail layout and a complete resignalling as a necessity. Indeed, would the present track circuits etc be AC immune?

I'm sure Sheffield will change quite drastically on electrification, though not as much as Reading has. Probably the case of which is cheaper, re-wiring all the panel connections or re-wiring all the trackside connections and producing a set of interlocking data for the existing layout.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Same signals, same single lines, same length loops, same short platforms, same single lead junctions, same level crossings. Absolutely no change to the way trains will perform in the area.

On that basis, and as the PSB building is remaining as the relays are all there, are they leaving the current panels as an emergency panel? If it's all based on TDM it shouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility to be able to switch in panels at Sheffield if York, or the connection to it, went pear shaped?

Obviously getting a signaller from York to Sheffield to operate it makes the usefulness somewhat minimal, I guess.

 

[Mickc1440]

The panels in the PSB are now disconnected and have already had parts removed. They will be removed from the box next month. The panels were decommissioned around 0030 on Sunday morning by telephone to the fringe boxes. If you were to stand in the control room as I was a few minutes ago you'd just see dead panels with holes in where various bits were removed. All other equipment is turned off except for the aircon which is connected to the relay room and telecoms.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It was never an option to make them emergency panels

 

[D1009]

The panels in the PSB are now disconnected and have already had parts removed. They will be removed from the box next month. The panels were decommissioned around 0030 on Sunday morning by telephone to the fringe boxes. If you were to stand in the control room as I was a few minutes ago you'd just see dead panels with holes in where various bits were removed. All other equipment is turned off except for the aircon which is connected to the relay room and telecoms.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It was never an option to make them emergency panels

Yes, people like dreaming on here, but then reality kicks in.

 

[Darren R]

How many workstations has the Sheffield panel area been split into, or is it just the one? (And how many workstations have now moved into York ROC?)

 

[causton]

But I thought the only way a Bobby knew their box was about to close was when the decorators turned up to given it a lick of paint

Hopefully not the same with ticket offices, mine recently got redecorated

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

The panels were decommissioned around 0030 on Sunday morning by telephone to the fringe boxes.

Would you mind explaining in more detail what that entailed, please?

 

[lincolnshire]

Would you mind explaining in more detail what that entailed, please?

You could put it as don,t bother ringing us here at Sheffield Power Box anymore as we are either moving to York or we have took our money and I am off home for ever.

God help you now as we have gone from Sheffield and York is now in charge.

Or there could be some more technical operation involved.

 

[66Yorks]

Could someone please tell me what the difference is between, say, the York ROC and the IECC that is situated next door?

 

[Sunset route]

Could someone please tell me what the difference is between, say, the York ROC and the IECC that is situated next door?

Basically just the size of the building. Although the York IECC might be the exception, most IECCs, SCCs, PSBs and ASCs only contain the signalling function where as the ROCs will also include TOC & NR controls and ECRO functions, ours also includes the resources department for the oops side and the (safety) briefer.

 

[lincolnshire]

Basically just the size of the building. Although the York IECC might be the exception, most IECCs, SCCs, PSBs and ASCs only contain the signalling function where as the ROCs will also include TOC & NR controls and ECRO functions, ours also includes the resources department for the oops side and the (safety) briefer.

The York IECC (if looking from the platform at York station) the lefthand end contains the signalling staff ( signal persons, signalling supervisor and budgie if its still living ) which is 24hour 7day operation. Also 24hr 7day in another room is the ECRO staff ( Overhead Line controllers) also a S&T box technician.
Signal box manager has office in that end and some meeting/classrooms etc.

The righthand end did house the Network Rail fault control staff, delay attribution staff, etc. Also there was TOC & FOC ( maybe ) staff located in there too so the idea was that they could all talk to each other.

These staff I believe have now vacated the place and moved across to the ROC instead, also in the Roc is Greater Lincolnshire ( South Humberside ) signalling staff and have now been joined by those working former Sheffield PSB area form this last weekend changeover.

 

[carriageline]

Also, a ROC is technically different, and needs a list of things that meet the Network Rail "ROC specification" before it can be classed as a ROC


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[Mickc1440]

Would you mind explaining in more detail what that entailed, please?

There are two workstation now in York ROC covering the 5 Panels from the PSb.
All that happened was the panels were unplugged from the relay room. The connections from the relay rooms into the box were also disconnected and the functions transferred to York

 

[Raul_Duke]

The north end track layout at Sheffield is definitely dated, with the unused Down Siding and the very short unused Centre Siding, etc. The pointwork was replaced a few years ago but the layout remained the same.

Does that go back to steam/ station pilot days?

 

[Mickc1440]

There was a lot of remodelling when the PSB took over

 

[edwin_m]

I believe when the PSB was opened in 1973 some of the Cross Country trains attached and detached portions at Sheffield. The terminating London trains would also have been loco-hauled, so there would have been a fair number of locomotive moves for which a siding would have been useful.

 

[Mickc1440]

There were/are several sidings around the station including three through sidings that are used for stabling

 

[IanXC]

Is the ARS actually expected to work on Tuesday?

Going by the number of platform alterations on Sunday 8th I'd guess not. It was like the hokey kokey!

Some of the platform alterations were just bizarre, clearly were never going to work, and sure enough got changed back, when there was no evidence the original platform was unavailable in the first place...

 

[WestRiding]

How many workstations has the Sheffield panel area been split into, or is it just the one? (And how many workstations have now moved into York ROC?)

Sheffields 5 panels, have become 2 Work Stations at York. Sheffield Work Station and Rotherham Work Station. Sheffield WS controls, roughly, DRONFIELD/TOTLEY (not including totley box) through Sheffield to and including Meadowhall.

Rotherham WS controls roughly Barrowhill via the Old Road/Meadowhall/Rotherham Central through Aldwarke and Swinton to Bolton on Dearne/Conisborough.

Sheffields Complement of 28 staff is now done by the work of 18 staff.

All staff from the PSB either relocated to the ROC, or other locations, or chose to retire. None were compulsory redundant.

 

[carriageline]

Is that with ARS?


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[Darren R]

Sheffields 5 panels, have become 2 Work Stations at York. Sheffield Work Station and Rotherham Work Station. Sheffield WS controls, roughly, DRONFIELD/TOTLEY (not including totley box) through Sheffield to and including Meadowhall.

Rotherham WS controls roughly Barrowhill via the Old Road/Meadowhall/Rotherham Central through Aldwarke and Swinton to Bolton on Dearne/Conisborough.

Sheffields Complement of 28 staff is now done by the work of 18 staff.

All staff from the PSB either relocated to the ROC, or other locations, or chose to retire. None were compulsory redundant.

Interesting - I did wonder what the new set-up is. The new Sheffield workstation must be a very busy one; out of nothing more than my own idle curiosity, what signaller grade is it?

 

[Mickc1440]

Signaller Grade 7