Northern has taken delivery of prototypes of a static cab simulator, to be used to train drivers.

Twenty-four of the cab replicas have been ordered in total – and they feature footage of some 610 miles of real, Northern track routes to help hone new drivers’ skills.

The cab replicas will complement six full-immersion, motion platform simulators; and two integrated crew training facility units that simulate passenger door control panels that are currently on order and which are set, per Northern’s press office, “to be introduced to Northern’s training academies later this year.”

The equipments are part of a “major transformation” in Northern’s training approach, with the aim being to speed up the time it takes for crew to achieve train and route competence.

Lisa Leighton, people director at Northern, said: “We have over 3,400 drivers and conductors based across our network and it’s important each and every one of them has the skills and knowledge to perform at their best.

“This includes ensuring they have access to great training and development facilities – not just during their induction and initial training, but throughout their time with Northern.”

Northern said it expects to announce its “driver and conductor recruitment plans” for 2025 in the coming weeks.