Srinagar|September, 10: Northern Railway’s Jammu Division will install a state-of-the-art desktop simulator at the Jammu Lobby to provide loco pilots with training in conditions that replicate real-world train operations, officials said on Thursday.
The simulator is aimed at strengthening the operational and technical skills of loco pilots and providing them with repeated practice in handling adverse and emergency situations without requiring the use of an actual locomotive.
According to the Jammu Division, the simulator will recreate conditions such as dense fog, heavy rain, landslides and signal failures, allowing loco pilots to practise responding to situations that can affect train operations.
The facility will also be used for training in signalling, braking techniques and locomotive operations. Officials said it would allow loco pilots to practise emergency responses, including situations involving brake failure, overshooting and sudden obstructions on the track.
The simulator is expected to support regular training and refresher courses for loco pilots, besides helping newly recruited personnel develop operational skills.
A key advantage of the system is that training can be repeated without fuel consumption or the operational costs associated with running a locomotive. It also provides a controlled environment in which mistakes can be identified and corrected without putting personnel or railway operations at risk.
The Jammu Division has also been conducting awareness programmes focusing on the mental health and welfare of loco pilots, officials said.
Railway officials said the new training facility is part of the division’s efforts to strengthen safety measures and improve the preparedness of loco pilots operating trains in the region.
The initiative comes as Indian Railways continues to emphasise simulation-based and technology-enabled training as part of efforts to improve operational safety.
The Jammu Division said the simulator would be installed at the Jammu Lobby, enabling loco pilots to access the training facility at their workplace.
