GB Railfreight (GBRf) train drivers are being given an insight into the complexities of railway signalling at Network Rail’s Newcastle’s Signalling Centre.

The drivers, known as Train Managers, are being appraised in Network Rail’s signal simulator to give them an understanding of the challenges faced by signallers across the network.

The cross industry initiative follows GBRf’s contract win to move around 1 million tonnes of coal per annum in the North East for Drax Power Limited.

The Train Managers will be the crew for GBRf’s coal trains from the Port of Tyne to Europe’s largest power station, Drax Power, near Selby in North Yorkshire.

Karl Watts, GBRf’s Head of Operational Standards said; “This is a fantastic opportunity to develop our Train Managers understanding of the operation in the North East and also develop the highly important working relationship between our Train Managers and Network Rail’s Signallers.”

The first of the 72 high capacity HYA wagons from Romania are expected to commence trial running on 19 March.