DB Cargo UK opens new ETCS training facilities

The official opening was performed on Thursday by Ed Akers, Industry Partnership Director at the East Coast Digital Programme, and the Civic Mayor of Doncaster, Cllr Julie Grace.

The new centre houses a Class 66 full cab simulator as well as six ultra light simulators, two instructor stations, training rooms, an agile breakout area, study rooms and kitchen.

Environmental sustainability has been at the heart of the planning, design and construction of the new facility, using products made from recycled materials wherever possible and the most energy efficient technologies.

DB Cargo UK’s Chief Operating Officer Neil Ethell said the new facility would deliver critically important ETCS training to drivers, groundstaff, maintainers and engineers alike.

“Doncaster has a long and rich association with the rail industry, so it is entirely fitting that we chose our headquarters in the city to host one of our new training centres of excellence,” he said.

“At DB Cargo UK we have more than 600 drivers, more than 400 groundstaff and over 600 engineers, so it’s fair to say that this centre, and the others we have developed with funding from Network Rail, will play a pivotal role in training a new generation of rail staff,” he added.

As well as the centre in Doncaster, DB Cargo UK has also invested in a second facility at its depot in Wembley, North-West London, and a Mobile Training Facility (MTF) which will be deployed to key strategic locations across England, Scotland and Wales.

Ed Akers, Industry Partnership Director at the East Coast Digital Programme, said: “Digital in-cab signalling will enable rail freight to operate more efficiently and reliably, contribute to its growth and help reduce carbon emissions.

“The success of ECDP depends on drivers, groundstaff, maintainers and engineers all being equipped for ‘next generation’ railway operations. Facilities like this one in Doncaster are critical to enabling people to flourish and enjoy confidence in new ways of working. I thank our DB Cargo partners for all their efforts in making this happen.”

The training facilities have been funded through the long-term deployment programme enabling the freight sector to be ready for ETCS implementation. It has been set up in partnership with East Coast Digital Programme which is pioneering the next generation railway in the UK.

About the East Coast Digital Programme:

The East Coast Digital Programme will see the first introduction of ETCS to an intercity mainline in the United Kingdom and will provide the foundation for future expansion of digital signalling across the network.

In the first stage, digital signalling has been introduced on the Northern City Line, between Finsbury and Moorgate. It is then being progressively rolled out on the southern section of the East Coast Mainline between London King’s Cross and the Stoke Tunnels, near Grantham.

It is expected that the first trains to operate on the East Coast Mainline using digital signalling technology will run in late 2025.

Photo caption:

Pictured at the official opening are (from left): Ed Akers, Industry Partnerships Director at the East Coast Digital Programme; Neil Ethell, Chief Operating Officer at DB Cargo UK and Darren Jones, Head of ERTMS at DB Cargo UK.