Virgin CrossCountry is leading the railway industry with an enhanced on-going competency review for its 549 train drivers which is computer and simulation-based rather than paper-based.

In place of the traditional theory-based railway 'Rules and Regulations' examinations, whereby drivers have to give verbal - or written - answers, Virgin CrossCountry is now making use of the latest computer based technology and the state-of-the-art driving simulators are used for training drivers on the CrossCountry Voyager and Super Voyager trains.

The new three-year cycle competency review means that drivers will visit the training centre at Crewe every year. One benefit of the simulators is that drivers will be able to demonstrate, their reactive skills using real-time scenarios, those events which seldom occur on the 'real' railway.

Head of Driver Training Graeme Singer said: "What we are now offering drivers is the ultimate in ongoing competency reviews. Rather than having to explain that they know the theory of what to do in dozens of scenarios which they may never experience on the 'real' railway, they can now demonstrate their re-actions in a practical environment. This new approach from Virgin CrossCountry has been designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of drivers and give them confidence to deal competently with emergency situations that they will infrequently - or hopefully never - experience during their driving career."

Colin Smith, District Organiser for train drivers union ASLEF said: "ASLEF has always campaigned for enhancement in defining new technology such as simulators to give all drivers the visualisation to see possible degraded situations that they may never come across. ASLEF fully support any further technology that gives further skills to train drivers on dealing with emergency situations."