Do railroads today use simulators to (1) qualify engineers on routes (2) qualify engineers on specific varieties of engine? Or is it still primarily OJT?
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The NS uses simulators to train student engineers at the system school in McDonough, GA. From there they go back to their seniority district to learn their territory which they SHOULD already be familiar with.
It was my feeling that simulators, specific to one's district, would have been a big help in training new engineers. NOT, I repeat NOT for the entire over the road district run, but, for working on certain problem areas that the trainee is having trouble with. In actual on the job training, you only get one chance on each trip to work on areas that trainees are having trouble getting right or to work on different ways to handle the train through a particular area. Being able to sit down at a simulator and work on problem areas over and over or to be shown here is what you do with this train and it is different than what you do with that train, would have been a great help!
On the CA division of the big orange simulators are used in school for training and recertification after they have had their license. OJT and their qualifying run is done on the territory in which their license is valid for. The sim run for recert is completely different territory. It has changed several times over the years though.
Are there many engineman still around that are qualified on both passenger & freight??
BNSF uses portable simulators to give annual check rides to some Engineers. There are two scenarios -- undulating territory with a section of heavy grade, and undulating, but not heavy grade territory. Engineers qualified to work territory which includes sustained grades of 2% or greater must be given the heavy grade simulator check ride, even if they have currently moved to another territory, because they could always be recalled to their original territory if manpower requirements dictate. The simulator is remotely monitored during the "trip" by an employee at the training center in suburban Kansas City. The simulator trip is also given as part of the three-year recertification. It measures sounding the whistle properly, speed control, use of approved train handling methods, slack management, compliance with temporary speed restrictions and track gang bulletins, emergency situations, etc.
It is not like a real train, but the idea is to test the Engineer's knowledge of rules and to see if reactions to situations are correct.
The local Road Foreman of Engines administers annual check rides, and 3-year recertification check rides, but, because of the number of Engineers on a territory, mostly working irregular schedules, there are not enough days in the year for a Road Foreman to ride personally with every Engineer. Thus, the simulator.
And the Road Foreman also has an Engineer Certificate, needs an annual check ride, and a 3-year recertification check ride. A locomotive Engineer carries a Train Service Engineer certificate. A Road Foreman carries a Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineer certificate, allowing him to certify other Engineers. The check rides and certification are the same, except for additional questions on certification requirements and decertification events for DSLEs.
Very interesting. Thanks for the replies.
UP had their mobile unit in Houston a few years ago at a public event. It is hard just to run a 10 car one engine train on the FLAT Portland OR Sub. Have to give those who run trains a lot of respect.
Houston METRO also uses sims in LRT training.
