A new High Speed Train (HST) simulator is on its way to STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, bringing an immersive new experience to visitors later this year.
The simulator has been gifted to Swindon Borough Council’s museum by Great Western Railway (GWR) following the retirement of the company’s iconic HST fleet.
A high-tech addition
While unassuming on the outside, the simulator is a sophisticated training tool used to prepare GWR drivers for a range of real-world scenarios. It can run multiple test routes and simulate challenging weather conditions and emergency situations, helping drivers hone their skills in a safe environment.
Once installed, the simulator will form part of a re-imagined display at the end of the museum’s main galleries — the venue’s largest update in 25 years. Visitors will be able to book special extra-ticketed sessions to experience the same technology used in professional driver training.
A complex move
The simulator, currently located in Plymouth, has been dismantled for transportation. Installing the eight-foot cube inside the museum will require the temporary removal of the existing Buffet Car to manoeuvre it into position.
After installation, the simulator will be reassembled by its original manufacturer before undergoing operational testing to ensure it is ready for public use ahead of the summer holidays.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning at Swindon Borough Council, said the simulator would bring “a whole new dimension” to the museum experience and inspire future generations of railway professionals.
Joe Graham, Business Assurance and Property Director at Great Western Railway, said the HST made history when introduced to the UK railway network, operating on the Great Western Main Line, and that it was fitting its heritage would be preserved in such a unique and interactive way.
Further details about the redesigned display will be announced in due course.
