The simulators, which will form part of the new training school being developed in Peterborough, will be used by new and existing drivers for basic training, advanced training as part of the driver rules exam, mentor and instructor training and post-incident reconstruction.
They will initially simulate a trip from London King’s Cross to Peterborough, and are designed with a route building tool which will enable the addition of all other GBRf routes over time.
The simulators are being supplied by Corys, France, using the cab from a GBRf class 66 locomotive written off after a derailment at Loch Treig in Scotland in 2012. The locomotive cab was refurbished by EMD Longport in 2018, with the simulators due for completion in June 2019.
“We are training the railway employees of the future,” says GBRf managing director, Mr John Smith. “The GBRf training team is currently overseeing the establishment of a new training school at Peterborough, which will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for all trainees, including three high tech classrooms and the new simulators. When finished, these simulators will enable us to provide cutting edge training not only to GBRf staff, but the wider rail industry.”
