PKP Intercity has awarded Polish manufacturer SIM Factor a contract to supply four new train driver simulators, strengthening the company’s investment in safety and training. The simulators, valued at more than PLN 2.1 million gross, will be delivered in 2026 to the company’s training branches in Katowice, Kraków, Wrocław and Poznań.
The purchase is part of PKP Intercity’s long-term strategy to enhance passenger safety and operational efficiency through modern training technologies. Earlier this year, the operator introduced Poland’s first simulator for the Griffin locomotive in Gdynia, complementing its existing devices in Warsaw, where EP09 and EU44 (Husarz) simulators have been used since 2015.
Realistic training scenarios
SIM Factor’s simulators recreate the full experience of driving from a train cab, replicating both standard and challenging conditions such as heavy rain, snow, fog, or technical malfunctions. Training staff can also introduce unexpected scenarios, such as vehicles or animals crossing tracks or sudden locomotive failures. This allows drivers to practise appropriate responses in a safe environment, improving decision-making and reaction times.
Virtual polish routes
The new devices will feature virtual simulations covering more than 8,000 kilometres of Polish railway routes. These include major corridors such as Warsaw–Gdynia, Katowice–Kraków, Poznań–Wrocław and Warsaw–Szczecin. The software accurately reflects real infrastructure, with tracks, signals, platforms, and landmarks such as bridges and viaducts.
Training for new and experienced drivers
Simulator training forms a core element of the nearly two-month driver licensing course. It is also mandatory for candidates working towards a driver’s certificate, once they have completed at least 480 hours of supervised practical driving. Elements of the state examination conducted by the Office of Rail Transport are also held on simulators.
All active PKP Intercity drivers undergo mandatory annual simulator sessions to refresh their skills, practise rare or emergency scenarios, and demonstrate compliance with safety rules. Instructors assess drivers’ reactions, adherence to traffic regulations, and ability to interpret signals. Simulators are also used to evaluate drivers involved in accidents.
PKP Intercity workforce
The operator currently employs 1,508 drivers, including 54 instructors, with the largest group aged between 27 and 48. A further 491 trainees are preparing to join the profession, with the majority under 26 years old.
SIM Factor, a fast-growing Polish simulation technology company, continues to expand its presence in the rail sector. The total value of contracts currently being delivered for PKP Intercity and other customers is close to PLN 20 million gross (EUR 4.86m). The company has already reported revenues of PLN 17.7 million gross (EUR 4.1m) by the end of September 2025.
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