Mumbai Local Train Services News: Virtual Reality To Train Repair Teams

The Indian Railways (IR) marked 100 years since the first electricity-powered train journey between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla on February 3, 1925. At the same time, the 100-year-old car shed at Kurla is introducing a new way of training railway staff through Virtual Reality (VR) technology.

For the first time, IR has implemented a VR-based training system for repairing coaches. This system is currently undergoing testing and is expected to be fully operational later this month. A beta version of the system is also on display at an exhibition at CSMT to celebrate the centenary.

VR-Based Training For Coach Maintenance

The Kurla car shed, built in 1925, is located between Kurla and Vidyavihar stations. Around 500-600 staff members work there in three shifts to maintain 70-75 rakes of Mumbai's local trains. Depending on the need, train rakes are overhauled every three days to 18 months. Approval has also been given to expand the car shed's capacity to accommodate more rakes.

The VR-based training system, which was acquired in January this year, has been installed in a laboratory at the car shed. It includes a large screen, a headset, a handheld controller, gloves, and other necessary equipment.

Railway engineers are currently programming the system with detailed information about train components. Information about bogies, wheels, and springs has already been added, while details about seats, doors, windows, lights, fans, roofs, and pantographs will be included soon.

"We are finalising the VR-based training module to teach staff how to repair everything from the smallest components to the largest equipment in a local train," an official at the laboratory told Hindustan Times (HT).

Nearby, engineers and VR system vendors were testing various train components on a large screen, such as fasteners, bolts, screws, brake pads, oil levels, and wheel profiles. Engineers were also fine-tuning the control panel's sensitivity to ensure trainees could comfortably use the handheld controllers and tools.

"There is great potential to customise the VR system with different training aspects and improve the graphic interface," said a Central Railway (CR) official in the HT report. More details about train components will be added as rakes arrive for routine maintenance, he added.

The training module is expected to be ready within 10-15 days. Once completed, it will provide detailed guidance on repairing each part of a local train coach. This will make it easier for staff to work on physical coaches.

An old barrack at the car shed is being converted into a training centre with four classrooms. Each classroom will accommodate 40-60 trainees and will be equipped with the VR-based training system.

"The system will be installed there once everything is finalised. If successful, it can also be implemented at other car sheds and maintenance depots," the official said, as per the same report.

VR Training For Motormen

A similar VR-based training system for motormen was introduced at CSMT in July 2024. This system is more advanced than the one at the Kurla car shed.

For example, the VR headset at Kurla only displays the low framework on which coaches are mounted. However, the headset at CSMT shows a complete driving panel with buttons, levers, platforms, and railway tracks. The graphics for motormen training are also more detailed.

The motormen training module is available in multiple languages and includes 10 training segments. It provides step-by-step visual and verbal instructions, requiring trainees to move in different directions and adjust their posture while learning.

"Training on this VR system feels very realistic as it includes almost every detail of a running train," a motorman told HT. "But it also takes time to get used to the controls."

New trainees often struggle with the controls and need to repeat actions multiple times until they become comfortable, he explained. The module requires trainees to complete all 10 segments. Since July last year, around 860 motormen have trained using this system, with 6-8 trainees completing the session each day.

"For new users, the training takes about an hour, while experienced trainees complete it in 30-35 minutes," the motorman added in the same report.

CR is also developing a similar VR-based training system for repairing locomotives used in long-distance trains. Trials for this system are already underway, according to sources.

With these advancements, the Indian Railways is modernising its training methods and improving efficiency in maintaining Mumbai's extensive local train network.