Abellio Greater Anglia’s Training Manager Stewart Belfield gave a lucky 14 IRO Members an introduction to their impressive Stratford Academy, and the systems that they use for training drivers and assessing drivers periodically. The importance of the simulators for practising driving in unusual but probable situations on the railway was demonstrated once we were let loose.

The route we drove saw some pretty freak conditions and everything from signal failures to cows on the line and bird strikes! The Stratford Academy allowed us to experience its Class 315 and Class 170 simulators, as well as the state-of-the-art Class 379, giving those on the visit a wide range of driving experiences.

After we had all had a go, or two, or three, we were then invited to ask any questions we had regarding the training of drivers, with IROSE Council Member (and trip organiser) Rob Mawby also imparting his knowledge, as a former Abellio Greater Anglia Driver Manager. It was pleasing to see so many IRO members there from many different areas of the industry and different levels of experience.