Keolis Commuter Services has partnered with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to design, build and test a new commuter rail locomotive and control car simulator lab in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Designed to provide advanced training to engineers, the lab features a classroom, a control car simulator and a locomotive simulator, which is built from the cab of a retrofitted HSP46 train.
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The simulators are capable of re-creating the exact profile of track infrastructure, platforms, stations and buildings along the network.
Comprising similar controls and features of a real train locomotive and control car, the simulators are designed to offer seat vibrations, sounds and a 360° visual experience to create a realistic training environment.
In addition, the environment of the simulators can be adjusted at any time to reflect true-to-life light or dark exposures.
Using the simulators, instructors can also implement different weather conditions, including rain, snow and the fall season when leaves and debris create slippery rail conditions.
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By GlobalDataThe new training programme will allow engineers to spend 40 hours or more in the simulator, as well as provide practical training with a supervisor on a train.
MBTA Commuter Rail assistant general manager Jody Ray said: “Together with Keolis, we are investing into new and more resources across the commuter rail network.
“This new simulator lab is another positive example of how our close collaboration is benefiting Keolis’ commuter rail workforce and, as a result, helping to further improve service to our approximately 125,000 daily passengers.”
The new lab has already started providing training to engineers, with the first batch of 12 engineers using the new simulators set to complete the training next month.
It also plans to enrol new and existing engineers for similar training programmes in the simulators over the next few months.
