Dovedale East Signalling Centre

The Dovedale East Signalling Centre (DESC) is the largest signal box in the game, housing around 26 Stop Semaphore Signals, 2 Distant Semaphore Signals, 16 shunt signals and 15 switches that control the Dovedale East station. While the Cosdale Coal Depot is in the area, it is no longer physically connected to the system, thus it is not controlled.

The box will usually see lots of traffic from Satus Services and Dovedale Central. Due to the line between Dovedale East and Satus Services only being single-track, trains often have to wait before proceeding to Satus Services. This can sometimes create queues at Dovedale East which often extend as far back as Dovedale Central.

Charts for the Signal Box can be found on the Charts page.

Operation

DESC controls the area between Dovedale Central and the Satus Single line.

Platforming

All platforms are signalled to be bi-directional. However, with platform 2 it's not recommended to send trains continuing through to Dovedale Central as they would be running on the wrong line. Each platform is its own individual 'Block' Between 2 signals. Permissive Working is technically possible if the person you're signalling knows what they're doing. Express services (Belled as 4) can mostly run through the bypass lines uninterrupted.

SPaD (Signal Passed at Danger) Countermeasures

While not technically having any trap or catch points, the crossovers Between the Bypass and Platforms can be used to catch SPaDders before they do any real harm. If a train has SPaD at Dovedale Central and they couldn't catch them there, points 10A/B can be used to catch the trains.

Block Indicators/Bells

DESC contains a block indicator and bell combo as well as the most detailed track circuits in the game so you can provide a good grasp of detail to the other signallers when they've got trains going to and from Dovedale East.

Trivia

Dovedale East Signal Box is statistically rated as the most busiest and most stressful signal box in the game, this is generally due to how chaotic it is trying to deal with all the traffic coming from Satus Services or Fanory Mill, which includes the Class 377 and the Class 43. The signallers at this box also have to control the traffic from Dovedale Central, which includes the Class 43, Class 158 and Class 156.
In the older versions, cameras were available inside the signalling centre, because track circuits were often defective.
- There were 3 cameras: one placed towards the coal depot, another one for Glassbury Junction (DE E1), and towards Steynbath Halt to see incoming trains from Satus Services.

Gallery

Dovedale East Signalling Centre during winter
The interior of the box during winter
The board.

Old versions

Old station diagram.
An admin controlled Class 91 and Class 43 at Dovedale East Station.
A Class 43 HST departing Dovedale East Station
A Class 43 HST approaching Dovedale East on the up line towards Status Services.
A Class 43 HST waiting at danger signal E4 at Dovedale East towards Satus Services.
A Qualified Signaller at Dovedale East Signalling Centre belling Satus Services Box.
Levers inside the Dovedale East Signalling Centre that used to operate the entrance to Dovedale East from Satus Services.
A Semaphore home signal located outside of the Dovedale East Signalling Centre
A Class 323 waiting at a Semaphore home signal set to 'Danger'.
Interior of the older box.
View of the box from the older Dovedale East station.
Old circuit board.
Old station diagram.