December update

First Full Cab Simulator Arrival in Ipswich

The month of December has marked a number of major milestones for Freightliner and the ERTMS Team starting with the arrival of Freightliner’s first cull cab simulator. Following its safe arrival, members of the the ERTMS Operations Team worked in partnership with CORYs to complete Site Acceptane Testing, ensuring the full cab simulator is in full working order.

Learn more about the full cab simulator : Here

Crewe receives a Maintenance Training Rig

Further to the amazing news of the arrival of Freightliner’s full cab simulator, Crewe ERTMS Maintenance Training Facility received its own training rig. This piece of specialty equipment is designed to replicate potential faults a member of maintenance staff may encounter on an ETCS fitted vehicle.

Freightliner Team wins Programme Award

On 07th December, the Freightliner ERTMS Team were the receipients of an East Coast Digital Programme Award for Outstanding Team Achievement. The winning submission, summarised below, shows the hardwork and commitment of the team for a successful introduction of ETCS on the East Coast Mainline – South.

Freightliner has been at the forefront of the freight sector’s business readiness for ETCS. They were the first to market among all freight companies to procure simulators for drivers. They opened maintenance training facilities at Midland Road and Crewe, and worked closely with Siemens to develop maintenance training rigs. The Freightliner team went above and beyond by opening up their simulators, academies, and maintenance facilities to Siemens for hosting Train the Trainer sessions. Their commitment to excellence has been recognised in publications such as the ASLEF journal, ‘BBC Look East’, and ‘Rail Technology Magazine’. Freightliner has received two letters of support from Mick Wheelan, ASLEF General Secretary, for their approach to ETCS training delivery using simulation, which has paved the way for all operators to deliver training. The team’s professionalism and stakeholder engagement have earned them respect both internally and externally. Multiple team members represent the FOC sector at industry forums, with a “best for programme” mindset that helps shape mutually beneficial outcomes.