Diesel simulator for SW Railway

The Indian Railways will obtain six diesel loco-simulator and six electric diesel simulators to provide professional training to loco pilots. General manager of south western railway Triloknath Perti said here on Monday that such training was necessary for the pilots to make the driving safe and smooth.

He was speaking after inaugurating the first microprocessor-controlled diesel loco simulator with high-speed horsepower technology set up at the new diesel-training centre of SW Railway in Hubli.

He also inaugurated the training centre and a hostel. Perti said the new hi-tech simulator at Hubli will help train pilots on the driving techniques, trouble-shooting on locomotives besides safety operation under different conditions.

"The equipment to set up the simulator was procured from M Corys, a French company. The project was completed in six months," Perti said.

The new training centre-cum-hostel has been built at a cost of Rs 42 crore. It has been equipped with the latest aids, including engine control and traction control cabinets. The SWR also plans to procure complete power pack of the diesel engine, he added.

Station to be upgraded: The GM said the Hubli railway station will be upgraded after the state government provides 100 acres for setting up a goods shed at Navalur. "We plan to improve conditions of the platforms and set up lounges for passengers. But these can only happen when the railway goods shed near the railway station is shifted," he said.

Perti promised to intensify the works on the Hubli-Ankola railway after clearance from the Union forest and environment ministry.