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This new footage reveals what it is like to learn to drive an Elizabeth Line train using a simulator.

Before train drivers can take to the tracks on the Elizabeth Line, they are put through practical training in a life-size train cab simulator.

Rail company MTR is aiming to train 400 drivers before the new line opens in December.

And the cab, which is an exact replica of the new trains, offers immersive training including for situations like trackside fires to learning train routes or making passenger announcements.

The simulator is an exact copy of an Elizabeth Line train cab.

It provides trainee drivers with practical experience before undertaking 175 hours of real-life training on the line.

The simulator, which features a large HDTV at the front as well as screens to replicate the views through the side door windows, runs much the same as a video game.

Signals, speed limit signs, residential areas, green spaces and passengers waiting at stations are all included in the programme.

Trainees may also face harsh weather conditions, people working on the line or trespassers.

First glimpse inside the new Crossrail stations 14 show all First glimpse inside the new Crossrail stations 1/14 Glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels at Bond Street Crossrail 2/14 Soho street map detail at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 3/14 Escalators and acoustic ceiling drums being installed at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 4/14 Glass panels featuring a Soho street map at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 5/14 Acoustic ceiling drums being installed at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 6/14 Bespoke brickwork at Paddington station Crossrail 7/14 Glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels Crossrail 8/14 Bespoke brickwork at Woolwich station Crossrail 9/14 Soho street map detail at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 10/14 Soho street map detail at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 11/14 Curved glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels line the platform tunnels at Farringdon Crossrail 12/14 Curved glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels line the platform tunnels at Farringdon Crossrail 13/14 Glass-fibre reinfoirced concrete panels line cross passage and terrazzo flooring at Farringdon station Crossrail 14/14 Glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 1/14 Glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels at Bond Street Crossrail 2/14 Soho street map detail at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 3/14 Escalators and acoustic ceiling drums being installed at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 4/14 Glass panels featuring a Soho street map at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 5/14 Acoustic ceiling drums being installed at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 6/14 Bespoke brickwork at Paddington station Crossrail 7/14 Glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels Crossrail 8/14 Bespoke brickwork at Woolwich station Crossrail 9/14 Soho street map detail at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 10/14 Soho street map detail at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail 11/14 Curved glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels line the platform tunnels at Farringdon Crossrail 12/14 Curved glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels line the platform tunnels at Farringdon Crossrail 13/14 Glass-fibre reinfoirced concrete panels line cross passage and terrazzo flooring at Farringdon station Crossrail 14/14 Glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels at Tottenham Court Road Crossrail

They are able to drive the train as if it were real, as well as control on-board CCTV, check maintenance records, do passenger announcements and respond to emergencies.

Outside of the simulator sits a control area where other drivers and trainers can watch the trainee in the simulator, add scenarios and alter situations in real-time.

MTR Crossrail operations development manager Gary Eccles said: "It's quite hard for someone to come [onto a train] and pick it up - there's lots of acronyms.

"We can use the simulator for some of the practical... and give our drivers experience before going on the train.

"Whether it's a fire on the line, a car on the line, a landslide or people on the line, there's lots we can do so the driver knows how to deal with a situation.

"We can't do that with the 175 hours of practical training as it's unlikely those situations will occur.

"It's key that we can put the drivers in those situations."

The practice forms part of a nine-month training course, which also includes theory, to become a qualified Elizabeth Line train driver.

Crossrail Tunnel July 2017 - In pictures 13 show all Crossrail Tunnel July 2017 - In pictures 1/13 Cable management systems installed in Stepney Green eastbound cavern crossrailtunnel0407 2/13 Overhead catenary system installed in Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 3/13 Engineers installing overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel Crossrail 4/13 Cable management systems installed in Crossrail tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 5/13 Engineers installing overhead catenary system in the Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 6/13 New gantry installed over tracks at entrance to Victoria Dock Portal crossrailtunnel0407 7/13 Overhead catenary system installed in Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 8/13 Engineers installing the overhead catenary system in the Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 9/13 Engineers installing the overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 10/13 Overhead catenary system brackets and cable trays installed in entrance to Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 11/13 Cabling being installed in entrance to Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 12/13 Installing overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 13/13 Installing overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 1/13 Cable management systems installed in Stepney Green eastbound cavern crossrailtunnel0407 2/13 Overhead catenary system installed in Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 3/13 Engineers installing overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel Crossrail 4/13 Cable management systems installed in Crossrail tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 5/13 Engineers installing overhead catenary system in the Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 6/13 New gantry installed over tracks at entrance to Victoria Dock Portal crossrailtunnel0407 7/13 Overhead catenary system installed in Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 8/13 Engineers installing the overhead catenary system in the Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 9/13 Engineers installing the overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 10/13 Overhead catenary system brackets and cable trays installed in entrance to Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 11/13 Cabling being installed in entrance to Thames Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 12/13 Installing overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407 13/13 Installing overhead catenary system in the Connaught Tunnel crossrailtunnel0407

MTR Crossrail has so far qualified 240 drivers, with around 150 more still left to train.

And the firm is also pushing to recruit more women.

Since MTR acquired the contract, Crossrail has increased the number of women in employment from 3.4 per cent to 11 per cent.

And 12.4 per cent of new recruits to the rail line are women.

Vicky Badham-May, who was filmed in training on the simulator, has been training for five months. She is due to have her first shift on board the real trains this weekend.

A mother-of-one, Ms Badham-May said she applied for the job after becoming a single parent.

She said: "I got made a single parent a couple of years ago and I needed a job as my previous company had gone into administration.

"I've got to be able to provide for my son now because it's just me.

"This is going to give me security for the rest of my life and it's going to give my son security."

Of her experience on the simulator, she added: "It gets people that bit more excited and it gives you a little bit more confidence.

"It has made me a little bit more confident."

New trains destined for the Elizabeth line are currently in use on TfL Rail between Liverpool Street and Shenfield.

Three services will operate on the Elizabeth line when it opens at the end of 2018: Paddington to Abbey Wood, Paddington to Heathrow and Liverpool Street to Shenfield.