Heathrow Express

[heathrowexpress]

I dont know if this is the correct forum, but if not - could the moderators please redirect me.

I ma a Service Delivery Duty Manager for Heathrow Express, the high speed rail link between Paddington and Heathrow. I have been tasked with procuring a low cost software based rail simulator for use in training and reassessing our driver workforce of around 80. Being a relatively small TOC, we cannot possibly afford the all singing all dancing £1m plus commercial simulators, but need a smaller bespoke package specific to our part of the GWR route from Paddington to the Airport branch line incorporating the Train Care Facility at Oal Oak Common.

It occurred to me that as such a large amount of work is already going on in the train sim community, that someone may be interested in discussions for the creation of such a package. I see someone has already created a skin for our Class 332 units, so a start has been made !

This is a serious, although long term project, and I would be interested in hearing from developers interested in creating the route and in-cab environment in whichever platform you feel is appropriate. Its is envisaged that this platform would also be compatible with the use of external control devices to simulate driver inputs

If anyone is interested in discussing this further, please contact me through this forum - all enquiries will be answered to the best of my ability, and for those keen to pursue the matter in earnest, personal email communications and meetings may follow.

Best Regards

Paul Butler
SDDM
Heathrow Express
3rd Floor
30 Eastbourne Terrace
Paddington
London W2 6LE

[ForburyLion]

Have you contacted the other Northern Rail, or whoever it is these days who have the 333 units based on the 332's? - There could potentially be some cost sharing to be had with a simulator.

[heathrowexpress]

Good point - I will try to contact them and see if they are interested - the challenge for anyone else still remains however !

[simonmd]

Have you not considered the older MSTS? There is already the Paddington-Penzance route avaialable as are class332s in HX livery.

Although not as graphicaly up to date as RS, MSTS does seem to have a more user friendly interface for route building and activity creation with a much larger pool of users to get advise from.