PKP Intercity has launched its first train driving simulator in northern Poland, set to begin training locomotive drivers in the Tri-City area (Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot) from June. The simulator, based on the Griffin locomotive, is located at the company’s northern facility in Gdynia and marks a significant step in enhancing rail safety and operational training.
Until now, driver training was mainly carried out using a simulator in Warsaw, commissioned in 2015. The new simulator will allow PKP Intercity to expand its in-house training capacity, enabling drivers to consolidate their knowledge and practical skills on Griffin locomotives. These modern electric units are manufactured by NEWAG, which signed a contract with PKP Intercity in December 2023 for the delivery of 46 locomotives and the simulator. The device was supplied by Autocomp Management, a Szczecin-based subcontractor. The investment is valued at over PLN 5 million and is part of a wider PLN 846 million project co-financed by the EU’s National Recovery Plan.
“Safe rail travel is not only about investing in modern rolling stock, equipped with the European Train Control System (ERTMS), but also in the skills of our employees,” said Adam Wawrzyniak, Management Board Member of PKP Intercity. “The new simulator in the Tri-City area, the modernisation of two more in Warsaw, and future plans for more devices across Poland show our commitment to safety with a clear strategy.”
Józef Michalik, Vice President of NEWAG, added: “Griffin locomotives are modern vehicles that offer high reliability and comfort while meeting interoperability standards. We’re pleased a dedicated simulator has now been developed.”
The Gdynia simulator comprises two zones: a moving platform with a full-size replica of the Griffin cab, and a control station for the instructor. The instructor designs individual driving scenarios and monitors trainees via video feed, adjusting route conditions and simulations as needed.
“We’re proud that our company delivered the simulator now being used in Pomerania,” said Arkadiusz Kozaczuk, Project Manager at Autocomp. “The system simulates over 5,000 km of track and delivers realistic motion feedback, with a six-degree-of-freedom movement system that replicates real driving dynamics, including points and curves.”
PKP Intercity currently employs nearly 1,500 drivers, all of whom undergo several hours of simulator training annually. The company also offers simulator-based instruction for trainee drivers preparing for certification, which is a key requirement under regulations set by the Office of Rail Transport.
The simulator also supports skill assessments for drivers involved in rail incidents. Scenarios range from everyday operational challenges to complex and emergency events, such as technical faults, signalling issues, adverse weather, or unexpected encounters with people or animals. Training exercises include signal recognition, ETCS usage, safety procedures, multi-tasking, and reaction speed.
Each session concludes with a performance report prepared by the instructor and a debrief with the trainee. The first training sessions on the Gdynia simulator are scheduled to begin in June.
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