This photo of a locomotive simulator appeared in the January 1969 Training and Development Journal.

The Santa Fe Railway simulator includes a full-scale mock-up of a diesel cab, complete with throttle, brake, and other controls and gears. An operator can look at a screen provides operators with exact images of what they would see when operating the train, including a realistic depth of perception.

Simulators today have gotten very sophisticated and are critical for training in jobs where safety is a priority. Virtual worlds are becoming part of the simulated world, and can be easier to access and more cost-effective.

Do you use simulations in your training? What type of training is effective on simulators?

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