Eastleigh Area Signalling Centre (ASC)
Saturday 26th November 2016
A group of 14, including BLS members, was welcomed by Paul Fleet, Local Operations Manager. Originally the 1966 panel was in a room by the LSWR main line next to its current location. The area expanded to three panels for which a new building was required in 1981 as the floor could not take the weight! Eastleigh area was 'switched' from semaphores to colour light signals 50 years ago (5 Nov 1966). A semaphore survives in a compound opposite the ASC for training.
Eastleigh Area Signalling Centre, Basingstoke is off to the right and Brockenhurst to the left.
[Stuart Hicks]
Panel 1 is responsible for an area from southwest of Worting Jn (interfaces with Basingstoke ASC about milepost 52¼) to just north of Eastleigh at 71m 37ch (Down line) and 72m 06ch (Up) - the original Panel. Eastleigh, Southampton station areas and between to just east of Fareham, the Botley and Chandlers Ford lines are on Panel 2. Panel 3 controls the Bournemouth main line to west of Beaulieu Road (89m 40ch Up line and 83m 61ch on the Down line which fringes Brockenhurst), Western Docks access and the Salisbury line to past Romsey (where it interfaces with Salisbury).
The Fawley branch from Totton West Jn and to Marchwood Military Port is controlled from Marchwood, although the branch beyond is now NRU. On the Down side, north of Eastleigh station, Eastleigh Ground Frame 'C' (73m 07ch) is a LSWR 1918 built hut with a 29 lever frame; a ground frame controlled by a shunter. Releases are requested and given when trains want to pass between the fiefdoms. The diagram still has the pre-1966 name of 'Eastleigh East yard GF'.
Mount Pleasant level crossing is operated by the box and is unusual in being across four tracks, and is very busy with trains.
[Stuart Hicks]
During the week, the ASC is operated by three Grade 7 signallers and a shift manager on an eight hour shift pattern, with a fourth signaller during the day for meal relief. On Saturdays and Sundays, two 12 hour shifts are worked; there is considerably less traffic on Sundays.
As well as passenger services, freight passes to Southampton Eastern Docks. There is intermodal traffic at Western Docks and car trains. Some of these also run to Eastern Docks where cars can be stored. Millbrook Intermodal terminal west of Southampton is another freight traffic source. Virtually all goes via Reading (this can be via Laverstock Loop at Salisbury) due to gauging, but a small percentage is via Bath to Wentloog, between Newport and Cardiff.
Close up of the Fareham area, note the middle station 'bay'.
[Stuart Hicks]
The ASC had been due to close with control transferred to Basingstoke Rail Operations Centre during 2016 but that has been deferred until further notice.
A £135 charity collection was made; thanks to our member Stuart Hicks (SEG) for the arrangements and opening it to BLS members.
