Network Rail has officially opened a new operational training hub in Selhurst, Croydon, designed to support the next generation of rail professionals and strengthen the railway’s rapid response capabilities across the Southern region.
The new facility, which opened on Wednesday 26 March, replaces the old Selhurst training site and is now the only Network Rail hub in the UK offering all core operational training disciplines under one roof. This includes:
- Railway signalling (both modern digital workstations and legacy 1970s control panels)
- Electrical control room operator training, for those managing the power supply across the network
- Base and facilities for Mobile Operations Managers (MOMs) – the railway’s 24/7 frontline incident response teams
The main training building features three dedicated classrooms with cutting-edge signalling simulators, giving new and existing signallers hands-on experience with the equipment used at major hubs like Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre and the Wessex Integrated Control Centre.
In addition, a modular training unit at the rear of the site provides specialist facilities for electrical control room operator training, while round-the-clock accommodation is now available on-site for MOMs working across the Sussex route.
Empowering Staff for a Technologically Advanced Railway
Lucy McAuliffe, Route Director for Sussex at Network Rail, said:
“Our people are our assets just as much as our infrastructure, and we are keen to attract, invest in, and develop our staff.
The new training hub at Selhurst will provide solid training and development opportunities to enhance their knowledge, increase confidence and enable them to achieve career ambitions.
As we continue to grow and become more technologically advanced with more advanced signalling, the skills learnt here will help us meet the exciting challenges that lie ahead.”
What Happens at Selhurst?
- Signalling Training: Learning to safely control train movements, from legacy panels to cutting-edge digital interfaces
- Electrical Control Room Training: Preparing staff to manage the vital power supply that keeps the railway running
- Mobile Operations Support: Giving MOMs a new base to ensure quick response to incidents, maintaining passenger safety and service reliability
The Selhurst hub marks a significant step forward in Network Rail’s commitment to modernise training, improve resilience, and invest in the people who keep Britain’s railway moving safely and efficiently.
