Mutual improvement classes for drivers and firemen began towards the end of the 19th century although before then there would have been formal training for footplate staff. Initially, the classes involved experience men inviting newcomers to their homes to help them understand better the locomotives they were working on, to help ensure better reliability of services by avoiding lost time or locomotive failures due to 'human error'.

The success of these relatively informal classes quickly led to a formal structure and before long, classes were being organised at depots throughout the system.