While these are the standard services, it is worth noting that trains can operate to either Portsmouth & Southsea or Portsmouth Harbour throughout the day. Particularly during peak hours, most trains run through to Portsmouth Harbour with only a few terminating at Portsmouth & Southsea. There are also additional services in peak hours that start from other locations, such as Havant.
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Several freight services are included throughout the day - passenger services should typically be prioritised over these.
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Where a train terminates at a station within the simulation, a suggested platform allocation has been provided in the train description. This is not essential, but it is recommended these are used. If all recommended platform allocations are followed, no trains should get stuck waiting for others. This is especially important at Portsmouth & Southsea, where trains regularly share platforms throughout the day. At Fratton, train heading for Portsmouth Harbour typically use platform 3 while trains for Portsmouth & Southsea use platform 2, although this is not always the case and either platform can access both destinations if necessary.
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Some trains join and split at Portsmouth Harbour and Portsmouth & Southsea - be sure to route the second train onto the back of the correct train already in the station!
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Where paltform sharing is required, it is advised that the first train to arrive be taken under signaller control once it has become the next service. This allows and subsequent trains to access the platform, using the "calling-on" feature included in the simulator. Remember to return the first train to timetable control before its scheduled departure though!
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Be careful to route trains in the correct order. This is particularly important in the Fratton area, with trains entering and exiting the depot, but also at the triangle junction between Cosham, Hilsea and Bedhampton. Some trains to Brighton may stop at every station while others run fast, so the express service will typically be routed in front of the stopper. This should be clear from inspecting the arrival and departure times at the major stations (given below). The junction at Havant is also important - don't give trains a route out of platform 1 towards Brighton too early or you may find the line from Guildford blocked at the wrong time!