BOYHOOD DREAMS of being a train driver came true for winners of a Macmillan raffle by regulars at The Wellington Pub in Greenfield.
The group of winners were treated to a trip to York courtesy of Simon Dalby of the First Trans Pennine Express Group to drive trains at a simulator based at Siemens.
The simulator is enclosed in a cab where the driver controls and reacts to a visual screen journey by train, encountering hazards on the way such as fallen leaves on the track, animals in the path of a train or inclement weather.
The One Million Pound simulator is used in the training of drivers and is a duplicate of the one used at Ardwick in Manchester.
John Jackson, one of the prize winners, said: “I enjoyed the day immensely but it would take me a few more times on the simulator before I would have been able to drive the train home!”
First Trans Pennine Express have invested heavily in the North and rail travel is shortly to be augmented with further investments in extra trains for the area.
Steve Jackson of First Trans Pennine said: “A complete reconstruction of a driver’s cab of a class 185 to the point where parts are interchangeable with a real cab is used in the simulator to train drivers.
“The computer system that powers it all is manufactured by Corys a French company and this simulator has been especially designed for the 185 Fleet which is exclusively operated by the First Trans Pennine Express services in the North of England.
“One of the lads called Dan Hodkinson was so impressive that I nearly went for the recruitment forms.”
The raffle was held at the Wellington at a cheese and wine evening in aid ofMacmillan Nurses, which raised £3,000 thanks to a donation from businessman Gary Armstrong.
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