New simulators to 'transform' training for drivers

Northern have ordered 24 semi-immersive static cab simulators

Rail company Northern has taken delivery of a prototype of the high-tech cab simulator its new drivers will soon be using to train on.

The train operator has ordered 24 of the semi-immersive static cab simulators which feature video footage of 610 miles of real track on its routes across northern England.

Northern's people director Lisa Leighton said: "It is part of a major transformation in the way that Northern trains its train crew and will speed up the time it takes for crew to achieve their train and route competence."

The units will be used alongside six full-immersion motion platform simulators which are set to be introduced to Northern's training academies later this year.

Two integrated crew training facility units that simulate passenger door control panels had also been ordered, the company said.

Ms Leighton said: "We have over 3,400 drivers and conductors based across our network and it's important each and every one of them has the skills and knowledge to perform at their best.

"We're excited to put the prototype to the test over the next few months and see the benefits it will bring to our training programme."

Dave Enderby, who manages driver trainers at Northern, said: "Academy's like boot camp in a way, we prepare people for the real world outside and they're here for between 17 and 19 weeks.

"At the moment, largely you're sat in a classroom with a trainer, talking about things and drawing things on whiteboards and we need to move on."

Trainers can choose different conditions, locations and trains for drivers

Dan Davison, subject matter expert on the project, said the new simulator allowed them to "modify the weather, we can modify animals on the track, objects on the track, powerline faults, train faults".

"It's almost endless what we can do with the simulation," he said.

Northern operates nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the north of England.

The rail operator is expected to announce its driver and conductor recruitment plans for 2025 in the coming weeks.