SIM Factor, Poland’s leading railway simulator manufacturer, and Hellenic Railways, the Greek state rail infrastructure manager, have signed two contracts for the delivery of a total of 14 simulators for train drivers and traffic control operators. 

Under these contracts, Hellenic Railways will receive 6 train driver simulators and a dedicated instructor station, which allows for central management and supervision of all six simulators, and 8 railway traffic control simulators, including an operator’s station.

All simulators will use more than 500 km of major Greek railway routes. The simulated routes, combined with the interactive capabilities of SIM Factor’s software, will enable training in realistic conditions, including emergency situations. The simulators, which are to be delivered by the end of 2026, will enhance the process of driver training, certification, and skills assessment.

The agreements mark the first delivery of railway simulators to Greece and represent a key milestone in the broader modernization of the Greek railway system. As Greece upgrades its network with modern signalling, telecommand and ETCS systems, Hellenic Railways is also investing in the people, procedures and training infrastructure required to operate a modern railway safely and effectively.

The procurement of the simulators is therefore part of a larger reform agenda: the development of a new Railway Academy, the strengthening of safety-critical training, the introduction of more practical and scenario-based learning, and the alignment of operational competence with the technological upgrade of the network.

The new systems will enable personnel to train in realistic conditions, including normal, degraded and emergency scenarios, while supporting recurrent assessment and a common operational culture. This ensures that infrastructure modernization is accompanied by the necessary investment in skills, preparedness, and safety.

“The signing of the contracts for the procurement of the new simulators from SIM Factor, marks an important step towards the creation of a modern Railway Academy and the upgrading of training across the Greek railway sector. For Hellenic Railways, training is a fundamental pillar of safety, reliability and operational readiness. The new simulation systems will allow train drivers and traffic management personnel to train under realistic operating conditions, including degraded-mode and emergency scenarios, and to be assessed in a more systematic and objective way. This investment is part of the wider transformation of the organization, combining new technology and sustained investment in our people,” said Christos Palios, Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Railways.

“Greece is an important milestone in SIM Factor’s international expansion as our 11th foreign market to date. The upcoming delivery of simulators will enable Hellenic Railways to enhance driver qualifications and overall safety. Thanks to our continuously upgraded software, Greek train drivers, as well as signalling and traffic control operators, will benefit from the combined experience of all our European customers. Hellenic Railways will gain access to a state-of-the-art simulation system, which is an essential component of modern public transport. SIM Factor recognizes the significance of the ongoing modernization of the Greek railway sector and views Greece as a strategically important market for its continued international growth,” said Michał Wierzbicki, President of the Management Board of SIM Factor S.A.

Additional information:

Tomasz Dominiak
E-mail: tomasz.dominiak@simfactor.eu
Phone: +48 694 841 115