CORYS has successfully completed the installation and commissioning of 16 Ultra Light Simulators (ULS) for Pacific National, one of Australia’s largest freight rail operators, delivered across two training centre sites at Greta, NSW and Sarina, QLD.
This milestone represents a significant step in a long-term partnership. The project has been an ambitious and complex undertaking, with scope changes to better reflect Pacific National’s operational needs. This includes a geo-specific reproduction of the Hunter Valley line, one of Australia’s most demanding heavy haul corridors, giving Pacific National’s drivers the ability to build route knowledge and confidence on the exact network they will operate, including the coal haulage routes that are central to Pacific National’s business.
The simulators give Pacific National’s trainee drivers a highly realistic environment to learn route knowledge, operational procedures and emergency responses before stepping into a real cab, directly addressing the challenge of converting experienced drivers onto Pacific National’s network in a safe and efficient way.
Brendan Sellens, Head of Operations Coal, Pacific National: “Pacific National continues to invest in the learning and development of our people through technology and equipment, recognising that strengthening our capabilities enables us to better deliver for our customers. This significant and long-anticipated step will allow us to benefit from the learnings of organisations across multiple industries, including rail, that are well progressed in integrating the use of simulator technology into their training frameworks.”
The installation of the half cab simulators, is the next phase, which will complete the full training centre fit-outs.
A project of this scale and complexity is only possible through the dedication of a strong team. Particular thanks to the Pacific National team for their collaboration throughout.
Pacific National joins a growing family of Australasian heavy haul and freight rail operators who trust CORYS to deliver world-class simulation at the heart of their training programmes. We are proud to be supporting the future of freight rail training across the region.