Classroom learning is no replacement for getting hands-on experience, but that can be tricky when you’re training to be a train driver. However, at a brand new training centre in Chester, students can really get to grips with the role – whilst not stepping out of the classroom!
Located at a brand-new training facility, One City Place, opened in Chester by Transport for Wales, a state-of the-art training simulator will train drivers to operate the 77 brand new Class 197 trains, the first of which are currently in the final stages of testing and colleague training before entry into service this winter.
One City Place in Chester also be key to training 56 conductors over the next year and be the one-stop location for station and ticket office staff, dispatchers, and the depot workforce.
Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Transport for Wales managing director, commented: “We’re delighted to be opening our brand new training facility in Chester
“Chester has a long history as a railway city, dating back to the opening of the first railway here in 1840 – our investment in this new facility a stone’s throw away from the station will ensure it will continue to be an important centre for the rail industry for many years to come
“One City Place been fitted out to a very high standard, to ensure we’re providing the best possible facilities for our colleagues.”
TfW is investing more than £800 million in new trains to transform the experience for customers across the Wales and Borders network, delivering faster, more frequent services with better accessibility and reduced carbon emissions.
