Local rail operator Trenitalia c2c is proud to announce that it has opened its brand-new Driver Simulator Academy in Southend to bolster its training capabilities.
The new Simulator Academy will provide a detailed and realistic learning environment for our new trainee drivers to learn how to operate a train in safe, controlled conditions, as they complete their training.
The technological highlights of the new Academy are c2c’s new Class 720 and 357 simulators, with the 720-simulator featuring a full-cabin replica of our 720 trains. Both have a detailed virtual rendering of the c2c route, our stations and can simulate various incidents that can occur on an active railway line, no matter how rare, with new trainee drivers being meticulously trained in how to deal with any number of emergency circumstances calmly and safely.
The Academy also features:
* Two instructor stations – control desks allowing instructors to control simulators, set scenarios and add different challenges to customise the driving experience for each trainee.
* Two training rooms – observation stations where general training can be provided to a group of students, with IT facilities that allow the audience to observe, analyse and comment on the performance of the trainee colleague driving the simulator in real time.
The project, which took over two-years to reach fruition, was headed up by Fleet Delivery Improvement Manager, Sabato Citro, who commented on what the incredible new simulators can do: “The simulators can replicate train services for the full length of c2c’s network, from London Fenchurch Street and London Liverpool Street stations to Shoeburyness station using three different types of routes.
“It is an extremely realistic computer-generated imagery (CGI) which provides: c2c rail network; four aspect signaling; speed restrictions; speed protections; depot and sidings; and London’s famous skylines.
“In addition, the instructor can create various weather conditions, incidents and a large range of accidents, allowing each driver to react and become familiar with rare emergency scenarios,” he added.
The Simulator Academy is a welcome addition to c2c’s training programme for new drivers, alongside the recent introduction of the Class 720s on the network.
c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said: “It’s an incredible achievement for the c2c team to have our first simulator for our fantastic new trains. It’s a great step up, so well done to everyone involved.”
Meanwhile, Operations and Engineering Director, Laura McEwen, said: “It has been a long journey; this project has been tricky at times, bringing with it some challenges, so I’m incredibly proud to see the academy open. It is a real step forward and is bringing us in line with the rest of the industry when it comes to our training provision. I’m looking forward to our future and current drivers benefiting from the new academy.”
Image credit: c2c (L-R: Ernesto Sicilia (Trenitalia UK Managing Director), Sabato Citro (Fleet Delivery Improvement Manager), David Campbell (Head of Drivers), Andrea Barclay (Operations Training Manager) and Rob Mullen (c2c Managing Director)
