SIMULATOR COMPLEX FOR LOCOMOTIVE CREWS (SCLC)

SCLC was created in 2011 providing immersive training to locomotive crews. In a simulated environment the complex is used to teach basic operating skills and improve locomotive crew’s decision making and emergency response skills.

A simulation complex consists of operator’s and instructor’s workstations. The operator’s workstation is designed as a locomotive cab and includes an authentic locomotive control stand of a chosen locomotive with the actual switches, engine functional controls and brake functional controls, as well as imitations of visual devices based on LCD touch-screens and LCD monitors representing locomotive windows and a 3D environment around. The cab can be equipped with a dynamic platform reacting to train movement, which makes it feel very realistic.

Cabins Inside the cabin

SCLC is used to:

  • practice locomotive control skills in various settings: freight transportation, passenger transportation, shunting;
  • practice standard procedures: dispatching, arriving, manoeuvering, shunt works, safety checks;
  • practice coupling and decoupling and other actions with the wagons and the locomotive in a virtual 3D environment;
  • practice interpersonal communication (interactions with locomotive crew members, dispatchers and level crossing assistants), including radio communication skills;
  • practice emergency response and the crew’s reactions to unanticipated events;
  • study locomotive systems (electrical circuits, diesel, pneumatic system, etc.) using a specific training program as well as while operating them;
  • certify and assess the competence of a locomotive crew.

Walking inspector workplace Virtual remote control of locomotive in SC CLASS Assistant driver's work in 3D environment

The instructor’s workstation is based on a personal computer equipped with 3 LCD monitors that display the current setting as well as video surveillance feed from inside the cab to supervise the training. The instructor is also provided with an interface allowing him/her to work with a virtual map as a train dispatcher and to set various tasks, malfunctions and obstacles for the operators to overcome. The instructor’s workstation is also equipped with a headset to contact the operators.

Instructor's desk Driver's work in 3D environment

From his/her workplace the instructor can monitor the operator’s actions, interact with the operator, set and change the conditions of a training session in a wide variety of settings. It is possible to:

  • choose a locomotive type, number types of wagons, train’s weight and other train parameters;
  • work with a 3D environment and railroad facilities (to choose the train’s location, draw train routes, add passing by trains and to change the state of switches and signals);
  • set various equipment malfunctions;
  • create emergency situations such as fire in the wagons and locomotives, derailment, people, animals and other obstacles on the track, signal malfunctions;
  • choose the season (summer, winter), time of the day (morning, day, evening, night) and weather conditions (clear sky, rain, fog, snow) with gradual intensity adjustment.

Crossing tender's work in 3D environment Driver's work in 3D environment Driver's work in 3D environment

This kind of training allows locomotive crews to study cab equipment and the arrangement of controls, optimize and improve train control skills, improve train operator’s and assistant’s safety performance and emergency response skills. It can also be used to study new routes. The interface opportunities allow the instructor to work as a train dispatcher organizing shunting, departure and arriving.

The simulator’s response to the operator’s and instructor’s actions is based on highly accurate, precise and dynamic real time mathematical models that assess the behavior of every piece of equipment. The pneumatic braking model, the electric circuits model, models of oil, water and fuel systems, train dynamics and traction of every simulated locomotive correspond with particular technical requirements and specifications. These detailed models make it possible to simulate normal system functioning as well as different malfunctions, short circuits, sliding and skidding of wheels, liquids freezing, engine overheating and many more. The 3D environment, visual devices and hardware correspond with the data obtained from the model. The simulators produce authentic sounds and noises coming from locomotive equipment (such as whistling, wheel rumbling, diesel and brakes sounds, etc.) and the surrounding environment, they also produce visual effects (smoke and sand) and make dynamic platform movements (cab tilting and vibrations).

INIUS upplies training complexes simulating the following locomotives: TEP70BS, 2TE116U, VL80S, 3TE10MK, 2ES10, 2ES5K "Ermak", 2TE25A "Vityaz", EP1M, EP2K, TG16M, TEM2. We can also develop simulators for other locomotive series of the customer's choice. The simulator set can be altered if needed to meet the demands for rational space use. It can be supplied as an open cab or as a compact PC based simulator (SC CLASS).