By kind permission of GWR, as arranged by South West and Wales Area Council member Matt Moody, GWR Driver Academy Manager, a number of SW&W members were able to experience the Hitatchi IET simulator at Reading Depot.  Swansea Driver and IRO Student member Andy acted as mentor.

The realism of the displays and cab environment has to be experienced to be believed.  Your correspondent was so swept along by the reality of a ‘drive’ from Paddington to Reading that she was disappointed to stop a little short of the correct mark on the platform at Reading.  The Australian software house has populated the simulated platforms with passengers of all sorts and multiple faults, failures and incidents can be simulated and practiced in a safe environment.

Those who attended left with a renewed respect for the modern 125mph driver and their equipment and training.

Robin Moira White MIRO

SW&W Area