PKP Intercity Expands Training to Seven Locations in Poland

WARSAW, POLAND – Poland’s national long-distance operator, PKP Intercity, has installed four new train driver simulators in Kraków, Katowice, Wrocław, and Poznań. The contract, valued at over 2.1 million zlotys gross, expands the operator’s total simulator fleet to seven. The new systems will be used by over 900 current drivers and trainees as part of the company’s Engineer’s Academy program.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The newly installed systems are static, 1:1 scale replicas of the EU200 Griffin locomotive driver’s cab. The software platform includes approximately 8,000 km of virtual routes based on actual sections of the Polish railway network, complete with signals, platforms, and surrounding environmental features. Instructors can inject a variety of pre-programmed scenarios, including adverse weather conditions, unexpected equipment malfunctions, and emergency events such as obstacles at level crossings. The manufacturer of the simulator systems was not disclosed in the operator’s announcement.

Key Technical Data

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

PKP Intercity’s investment in static simulators represents a cost-effective approach to standardized training, contrasting with more expensive full-motion systems used for complex dynamic scenarios. While effective for procedural and emergency training, this technology differs from the higher-end solutions offered by major European suppliers. For example, Knorr-Bremse’s subsidiary, Sydac, offers modular systems ranging from desktop trainers to full-motion simulators on six-axis platforms, which provide a higher degree of immersion for training on vehicle dynamics and handling (Source: Knorr-Bremse, 2024). Similarly, Alstom integrates simulation into its broader HealthHub digital services, allowing training not just for driving but also for predictive maintenance and fault diagnosis, a feature not specified in this procurement (Source: Alstom, 2024). The decision to deploy multiple static units across the country prioritizes accessibility and frequency of training over the high-fidelity physical realism of full-motion platforms, allowing the operator to decentralize training and reduce travel time for its staff.

Editor’s Analysis

This expansion of PKP Intercity’s training infrastructure is a foundational investment to support Poland’s broader rail network modernization and accommodate rising international passenger volumes. By standardizing driver competency and emergency preparedness across a growing workforce, the operator is building the human capital required to ensure safety and service reliability. This focus on in-house skills development aligns with a wider European trend of operators taking greater control of their training pipelines to address skilled labor shortages and meet the demands of network expansion (Source: Tourism-Review.com, 2025).

FAQ

Q: What specific locomotive is the new simulator based on?
A: The four new simulators are 1:1 scale replicas of the driver’s cab and control panel of the PESA Gama Marathon, designated as EU160 Griffin by PKP. This ensures that training is directly applicable to one of the modern electric locomotives in the operator’s fleet.

Q: How many drivers will use these new simulators?
A: The simulators will be used by a pool of over 900 train drivers and candidates for the train driver position. PKP Intercity currently employs over 1,600 drivers and is actively training more than 360 candidates to meet future demand.

Q: Is simulator training a substitute for real-world driving experience?
A: No, it is a mandatory supplement to the nearly two-month training program. Candidates must complete at least 480 hours of supervised practical training on the network before this stage of simulator-based training can be undertaken.