Entertainment Swindon

Today the STEAM Museum welcomed the arrival of the Great Western Railway ‘High Speed Train Simulator (HST)‘, where it was moved into the main hall ready to be reassembled, tested and made operational, before this new addition becomes a part of the new exhibition this summer.

The simulator was gifted by Great Western Railway (GWR) after the retirement of the company’s HST Fleet.

From the outside, the simulator, looks nothing special, but on the inside, its a high-tech marvel, capable of running a number of test routes designed to test drivers to the limit, putting them through their passes in all weather conditions and emergencies, as part of their training.

When it’s ready, the simulator will form part of the museum’s visitor experience with special extra-ticketed options available for those who want to experience what GWR drivers use to hone their skills. GWR offered the simulator to the STEAM Museum to form part of a re-imagined display at the end of the venue’s main galleries – set to be the museum’s largest update in 25 years.

The simulator was disassembled in its original home in Plymouth and getting the 8ft black cube into the museum itself will be no mean feat as it involved temporarily removing the existing Buffet Car to enable it to be manoeuvred into place.

Work will then get underway to create the new exhibition and get the simulator up and running before the summer holidays.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “The high-speed simulator will bring a whole new dimension to the visitor experience here at STEAM. It’s something for people to really get stuck in to and experience life on the railways first hand.

“The museum has already updated its entrance area and has some wonderful smaller exhibitions, and it’s great that we’re now creating something brand new and giving the venue its biggest update in 25 years.

“I’m really looking forward to the simulator being fully installed and operational – not least because I want to have a go! And of course it’s a great way to inspire the train drivers of tomorrow.”

Joe Graham, GWR Business Assurance and Property Director, said: “The HST made history when first introduced to the UK railway network, operating on the Great Western Main Line, so it is really fitting the heritage of this iconic train will be preserved in such a unique way.

“We are really pleased this driver simulator will have a lasting future where it can be enjoyed by thousands of visitors.”

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