Eastleigh Area (SWML)

This simulation covers the South West Mainline from Micheldever to Northam Junction (just outside of Southampton Central ) as well as the West Coastway line to Fareham and the Eastleigh to Fareham line. There is a good mix of passenger trains (express and commuter) as well as a decent amount of freight trains heading to the Southampton Docks and Eastleigh East Yard.

Eastleigh Area (SWML)
DescriptionThe South West Main Line from Michledever to Northam Junction, and the West Coastway Line to Fareham
Country United Kingdom
Time period2023
Train Operating CompanySouth Western Railway, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Southern
Simulation difficulty6/10 stars
AuthorSL_Transport2
WebsiteEastleigh Area (SWML)
Rolling Stock
Route map

South West Main Line
Popham No 1 Tunnel
Popham No 2 Tunnel
Micheldever Oil Terminal
Micheldever
Wallers Ash Loops
Wallers Ash Tunnel
Winchester Baltic Siding
Winchester
St Cross Tunnel
Shawford
Eastleigh East Yard North End
Romsey & Salisbury
Eastleigh East Yard South End
Eastleigh
Eastleigh Aggregate Siding
Southampton Airport Parkway
Swaythling
Eastleigh TRSMD
Hedge End
St Denys
Botley
Adelaide LC
Tapnage Tunnel
Bitterne
Fareham No 1 Tunnel
Woolston
Fareham No 2 Tunnel
Southampton Up Yard
Sholing
Netley
Mount Pleasant LC
Hamble
Bursledon
Northam Depot
Hamble Viaduct
Swanwick
Southampton East Docks
Southampton Central
Fareham
West Coastway Line

Timetable

The simulation includes two timetables.

Easter Engineering Works

This timetable represents a weekday during Easter, meaning the line north of Winchester is closed for engineering works. As such, through services from London Waterloo to Weymouth and from Didcot Parkway to Bournemouth are diverted via the West Coastway Line.

Eastleigh Area (SWML) Easter Engineering Services
Train Operating Company Origin Destination Frequency (tph)
Southern Southampton Central Brighton 1
London Bridge 1
South Western Railway Portsmouth & Southsea 1
Salisbury Romsey 1
London Waterloo Weymouth 1
Winchester 1
Portsmouth Harbour 1
Bournemouth 1
CrossCountry Didcot Parkway 0.5

Various freight trains and engineering trains operate throughout the day.

Normal Weekday Timetable

This timetable represents a normal weekday timetable, with a few special trains added in.

Eastleigh Area (SWML) Weekday Services
Train Operating Company Origin Destination Frequency (tph)
Southern Southampton Central Brighton 1
London Victoria 1
South Western Railway Portsmouth & Southsea 1
Salisbury Romsey 1
Winchester Poole 1
London Waterloo Weymouth 2
Portsmouth Harbour 1
Great Western Railway Cardiff Central 1
CrossCountry Manchester Piccadilly Bournemouth 0.5

Operational Tips

  • Don't run the simulation too fast - things quickly get out of hand.
  • This was a temporary timetable and was by no means perfect - trains often get stuck behind each other. So long as they are signalled in the correct order, they should arrive on time as they have plenty of padding.
  • Make sure to check train times at junctions such as St Denys and Fareham so that they are routed in the right order.
  • Platform numbers are included whenever possible to add realism, but it is not necessary to follow them.
  • Check the points before setting routes to ensure they'll set the desired way.
  • There are a few odd parliamentary trains in the timetable - make sure to check where these are going.
  • Move trains from their entrances as soon as possible, as they enter very frequently sometimes.
  • Lower level crossings by setting routes in advance so that trains don't have to wait.
  • A session file is included with the automatic routes preset, although in a few cases these may need to be cancelled.

Notes

Not everything is completely realistic, for example, the entrances of Eastleigh East Yard have been made into a one-way system for ease of operation.