Eurostar arrival marks launch of High Speed Rail college

The arrival of a Eurostar power car, which travels at more than 180mph, has marked the launch of Doncaster’s National College for High Speed Rail.

The 25-tonne power car used to carry more than 160m passengers between the UK and Europe, was donated to the college by Alstom and Eurostar after it had been retired from service.

The college, which opens next month, said the train would have a new lease of life in Doncaster by playing a critical role in educating Britain’s next generation of engineers.

Virtual reality headsets will allow students to experience 3D recreations of cab configurations, and a 3D high speed pantograph (the device that conveys electric current to a train) will also allow learners to interact with it via hand tracking and animation techniques.

Clair Mowbray, chief executive for the National College for High Speed Rail, said: “The best way to educate Britain’s future engineers and help reduce the national skills shortage, is to grant learners access to the kind of apparatus they will become familiar with when they go out to work for businesses in the field.”

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones, said: “The college will not only train the rail engineers of the future but also enable businesses to tap into highly skilled and qualified rail engineers that help take them to the next level.

“For young people looking for a career path into a rewarding and well paid job in an expanding sector, the college should be high on their agenda.

“Doncaster, for generations has always led the way in the rail industry and the college well and truly cements our position as a rail town.”

Jason Baldock, HS2 director at Alstom UK & Ireland, said: “It’s a proud moment for all of us today as the UK’s first very high speed train arrives in Doncaster with its stunning new livery.

“Alstom are huge supporters of the National College for High Speed Rail and the great work they are doing here and in Birmingham. We will be continuing to work closely with them as we open our complementary rail academy in Widnes in September. It’s an exciting time for the industry.”

Philippe Mouly, chief operating officer at Eurostar, said: “We are very pleased that the power cars of two of our original Eurostar trains will play a key role in developing the skills and expertise of the rail engineers of the future. These iconic high-speed trains were ground-breaking and have transformed travel between the UK and mainland Europe.”