Green light for Tyne and Wear Metro train driving simulator

A team from Nexus has had a demonstration of Tyne and Wear Metro's new train simulator ahead of its arrival at Metro's Learning Centre this summer.

The simulator is state-of-the-art and replicates a full cab driving experience. After it is delivered to the Nexus Learning Centre in May, the Learning and Development team will lead a schedule of training sessions.

CGI will give drivers a realistic and interactive experience. They can also familiarise themselves with new technical features in the cab, the new seating position, and experience different driving and weather conditions.

Representatives from Metro Futures, Learning and Development, and Train Crew teams, as well as a team from Stadler, examined the simulator on a special visit to the CORYS factory at Grenoble in France where it was built.

When it was put through a rigorous Factory Acceptance Test the simulator passed with flying colours. The team was also shown how the new technology will transform how Metro drivers will be trained on the new fleet.

Stadler is the Swiss train builder that is supplying Nexus with 46 new trains for Metro, along with a new £70m maintenance depot. The first new Metro train is in final assembly and will arrive in North East England in November for testing and further training and enter customer service from 2023.

The new Metro trains will be more reliable, cut energy and include modern features, such as charging points and air-conditioning. An automatic sliding step at every door of the new trains will dramatically improve accessibility, making travel easier for Metro's 50,000 wheelchair passengers as well as people with pushchairs, luggage or bicycles.

More details about Tyne and Wear Metro's new trains can be seen here http://www.nexus.org.uk/newmetrotrains

New Fleet Project Manager, Sarah McManus, said: “The visit was a huge success and I am delighted to say our new simulator passed all of the relevant tests. We can now look forward to it being shipped across to us from France.

“We were able to test every aspect of the new technology in order to ensure it's exactly to our specification. Our L&D reps Joe Dixon, Kraig Maxwell and Debbie Maughan were joined in the testing by Metro Ops Manager Suzanne Richley. They were able to cover off a wide range of issues for us with the manufacturers, which was invaluable.”

Learning and Development Manager, Debbie Maughan, said: “The teams across Nexus, Stadler and Corys have worked really hard to get to this point and it was great to see this all come together. The simulator will make a big difference to Nexus training and we are looking forward to getting it on site. It's a very exciting time for Nexus.”