TRANSPORTATION TRAINING CENTER Cerritos, California 90701 While the difference between knowing HOW to do something and DOING it is simple enough to comprehend, many training efforts fall short of skill transfer goals. Although useful for certain purposes, most techniques are deficient in teaching skills in a way that fosters transfer of appropriate behavior to the work environment. Another potential problem can be that of convincing participants of the difference between knowing how to handle a situation and actually handling it effectively. The trainee's experience at Southern Pacific's Transportation Training Center is a positive one. The curriculum is designed to produce a highly qualified, competent employee, capable of not only knowing how to perform his/her duties but demonstrating the necessary skills required. Correct performance of not only the routine tasks but the unusual is practiced in a realistic environment. After coupling a strong task-based classroom program with training devices such as our full-environment simulator, we are confident of releasing employees into the workplace who have a consistently high degree of skill and judgment. Engine and supervisory personnel leave the school with the skills to evaluate train handling problems and respond in an appropriate fashion. Supervisors learn to "ask the right questions" when problems arise and offer sound remedial action where needed. Both the HOW and the DO aspects of learning are addressed at the Transportation Training Center. Upon successful completion of the TASK RELATED PROGRAM, the participant will have discussed and encountered, in a simulated "real life" environment, routine and emergency situations that can be experienced during the day-to-day operations of the railroad. Transportation Training Services 17128 Edwards Road Cerritos, California 90701 (213) 926-2606 Outside California: (800) 423-9615 The Transportation Training Center is the Training and Development Group of the Industrial Relations Department at Southern Pacific Transportation Company. ADMINISTRATION Jim M. Fitzsimmons, San Francisco Manager, Training & Development Gary G. McClain, Cerritos Assistant Manager, Training & Development Ted T. Turpin, Cerritos Sr. Training Specialist Paul C. Burmeister, Cerritos Training Specialist John M. Lowry, Cerritos Training Specialist Jack W. McGinley, Cerritos Training Specialist Georjan G. Peters, Cerritos Training Specialist Paul D. Turney, Cerritos Training Specialist Russell R. Tomren, Cerritos Training Specialist - Train Dispatching Yasuko Iseri, Cerritos Administrative Assistant OVERVIEW TO THE ENGINE SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM AT CERRITOS With interest in training has come the use of a tremendous tool - the simulator. Simulation allows untrained, unskilled people to learn to perform complex operations or allow experienced engineers to learn new techniques or review and enhance their present skills, in a safe learning environment. It permits learning to take place under ideal teaching conditions. The tasks can be performed in a simulator following an approved method, with knowledge and skills development progressing at a rate comfortable to the individual student and acceptable to the employer. Born from an increased emphasis on training, brought about by the necessity for the railroad to minimize damage to equipment and lading and to maintain its freight market share in an increasingly competitive industry, the simulator has proven to be an invaluable tool. Should an unsafe situation occur in the simulator, the instructor simply restores the training condition and repeats the task until a satisfactory level of proficiency is demonstrated. Southern Pacific has been using a full sized train simulator since 1970. At that time, SP was one of only two railroads in the entire country that decided simulation was the future in training. This early decision to use a full simulator for teaching prospective locomotive engineers indicates the commitment Southern Pacific has made and continues to make to training. Even today, only three railroad companies in North America operate their own "full environment" train simulator, two in the U.S. and one in Canada. The facility at Cerritos is the vital link in the training and development of aspiring locomotive engineers, transforming them into future skilled graduates, capable of safely and efficiently operating trains of the length and weight so typical of that found at SP, over the steep grades of the Tehachapi, Cascade, Beaumont and Sierra Nevada ranges or across the vastness of the Southwestern desert. The center is also a natural drawing card for visitors who maintain an ongoing interest in contemporary training practices. The facility very much exudes the business-like and professional atmosphere which the training group attempts to convey in its material. Administration and training staff alike take the training task very seriously. Having a heavy capital investment in the facility, the company expects, and is remunerated with, engineers of an extremely high calibre. Various text books are issued to the students. These include the General Code of Operating Rules, Air Brake and Train Handling Instructions, Safe Work Practices, Timetable, Modern Locomotive Handbook, and student binder containing study guides and assignments. No doubt the most important document is the Company's Rule Book. It is fundamental to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the rules. Without this knowledge and understanding, a candidate would be unable to demonstrate the practical application of those rules. Without that ability, the finest train handling techniques, the most complete knowledge of air brakes and mechanical equipment, will not get the train over the road safely and efficiently. To assist in air brake instruction, the center is equipped with an air brake rack consisting of locomotive components for 26L brake system along with components from a typical freight car. The system is charged with air and used for demonstration of air brake functions. The rack is color coded for easy component identification. Another classroom is equipped with major components from the locomotive. This part-task trainer is used to discuss and review approved locomotive trouble shooting methods. THE TRAIN SIMULATOR The capabilities of SPTCo.'s train simulator are many and varied. Utilizing a Hewlett-Packard 1000 A900 series computer, the system provides real time responses to the simulator controls. Data libraries are maintained for various items such as mission definition, track profile, sound and motion cues, train consist data, etc. The simulator training station is accommodated in a structure intended to replicate a General Motors, Electro-Motive Division Model SD40-2 diesel electric locomotive, is painted in the standard SP Scarlet Red and Grey livery and carries the road number 8799. The simulator is an accurate reproduction of an SD40-2 both inside and out. Mainframe dimension integrity has been rigidly adhered to and the exterior retains most appurtenances normally attached to a real locomotive including steps, handrails, battery box, headlights and handbrake. Cab interior equipment includes all controls, vigilance devices, indicators, switches and instruments. They are typically both in type and placement to that of the prototype. The majority of these items function exactly as they would in an actual locomotive, with the remain non-functioning fittings included to promote realism. The engine is equipped with select-a-power control (a device used to remotely "isolate" locomotives within the engine consist in order to conserve fuel). Inside the operating cab is a track profile display unit which allows the student to view, on a small VDU, the track profile both under the train and for approximately four miles immediately ahead of the train's location. This graphical display assists the student who may be unfamiliar with the specific territory being operated over during a given training session. The main forward screen reproduces the normal forward view of the locomotive engineer. This is accomplished by projecting a variable speed image onto a screen located directly in front of the simulator. This ultimate interactive video disk training system allows immediate access to any section of track desired without the wasteful rewind time experienced when using film. The computer is interconnected with two laser video disk players which transmit the lifesize video images onto the forward screen using a G.E. Talaria video projection system. When you sit at the controls of locomotive 8799 and look out the window, the image you see is realistic and believable. The instructor's station contains various monitoring devices that report the condition of electrical switches, control settings, in-train forces, train consist, air pressures within the train, engine loading, engine malfunction status, speed and duplicate VDU display of that offered to the student showing the track profile under and in front of the train. In addition, the instructor may input commands to the computer which result in creating various engine malfunctions, train brake applications and alternate visual event applications. This station is an integral part of the simulator cab structure to allow the instructor to be at his/her control station while, at the same time, be close to the student. When a training mission is being requested, the instructor simply asks for a previously defined territory and train consist by using the computer terminal at the instructor's station. The track section is "called up" onto the display screen and the training session is ready to go. If it is desired to start the training with the train already moving at a previously defined speed, a simple request to the computer is all it takes! At any time, the user may redefine an existing train consist and training scenario or create an additional, new train consist and training scenario. When establishing a new computer file, the user may define the type of brake equipment, braking ratio, vehicle length, retainer position, rigging efficiency, brake shoe type and even whether the brake control valve on a given vehicle is cut in or cut out. All locomotives in the train are of the same EMD model SD40-2 type equipped with "flat" system dynamic braking. Standard or Extended range dynamic braking is selectable. If there is more than one locomotive in the engine consist, all respond synchronously with the lead locomotive. The motion system provides the trainee with those same sensations experienced in real locomotive operation. The motion system consists of the following units: The Motion Base The Hydraulic System The Motion Electronics The motion system provides motion with four degrees of freedom -- translations along the X and Z axis and rotations about X and Z axis. The system provides for: ~ Sideways lurches due to direction change in short radius switches. ~ Motions caused by locomotive wheels passing through switch points and crossings. ~ Sideways force cues, occurring when the locomotive enters and leaves a short radius switch (nosing), are functions of speed and radius of curvature of the turnout. ~ The upper tier is connected to the lower through the main ball joint located at the rear, and the Z actuators. ~ Cab roll or sway about the longitudinal axis. This motion simulates the rocking of the locomotive about a longitudinal axis passing through the forward bolster. ~ Vertical motion which simulates diesel engine vibration and track roughness particularly evident in switches and crossings and locomotive sway motion (rotation about the X axis). ~ Longitudinal motion simulates shocks caused by slack of the train being taken up by the locomotive when pulling (backward shock) and slack running up against the locomotive when decelerating (forward shock). These shocks are of very short duration and strong in magnitude. They are extremely important cues to the engineer. Special Events are events which may be initiated by the instructor whenever desired. These special events are used to create unusual situations to which the trainee must respond. Special events include: ~ Train separation (break-in-two) ~ Train reintegration after separation ~ High or Low adhesion on the locomotive ~ Locomotive malfunctions ~ Automatic air brake malfunctions ~ Dynamiter (kicker) on any car ~ Unintended release of train brakes A Task Analysis is provided to the instructor at the conclusion of each simulator training session. This is a computer printout used to debrief the trainee and document performance. This information includes: ~ Cumulative distance travelled ~ Cumulative fuel consumption ~ Peak coupler force in buff and draft ~ Position of peak coupler force In addition, a trip log is maintained. Every ten seconds, or whenever an operating control change is made by the trainee, the status of the train and controls are printed. This also occurs any time that coupler forces exceed predefined limits. This status record includes: ~ Time ~ Location of train (expressed in mileposts) ~ Train speed ~ Position of controls ~ Equalizing Reservoir pressure ~ Brake Cylinder pressure ~ Magnitude and position of peak coupler forces The End-of-Run Summary includes: ~ Total time of simulation ~ Average train speed ~ Total mileage covered on the journey ~ Total fuel consumption ~ Total gross ton miles ~ Magnitude and location of peak coupler forces ~ Duty Cycle Report ~ Train Mass Profile (Consist bar graph) This plethora of information enables instructors to quickly and accurately evaluate the trainee's performance deficiencies (if any) in a very objective manner. The computer printout equates to a report card, showing exactly what the student did and what the result of that action was. During debriefing sessions, the trainee actually sees the printed verification of a train handling error so enabling him, together with the instructor, to work towards correcting the problem. Training center personnel responsible for conducting the various training programs which involve the train simulator are, themselves, qualified locomotive engineers. Each has been carefully selected for his/her train handling abilities and, more importantly, their teaching skills. Each newly appointed training officer at Cerritos is given instruction in proper training techniques, formal Instructional System Design and proper Job Instruction Techniques. This experience provides for professional programs and presentations. All programs offered are being constantly reviewed by the staff to assure students that the material is up-to-date and accurate. Indeed, the staff members are developers, revisionists and deliverers -- the idea people. The trainee's experience at Cerritos is a positive and enriching one. The curriculum is designed to produce highly qualified, competent locomotive engineers capable of handling both routine and extraordinary situations with a consistently high degree of skill and judgement.