The PWI holds its Technical Education and Training Courses at the grade II listed building Derby Conference Centre. As well as being located in a central location which is easily accessible by train, it has a long standing connection with the PWI and the railway industry.  

Built by the London Midlands and Scottish Railway in Derby during the 1930s, at this time it was the only custom built training centre in the UK used by private railway companies. The Centre provided best practice training to railway employees, incorporating on-site visits to the sidings, control office, workshops, and opportunity for practical application.

During, and for a period of time post-war, the centre was used to train Royal Engineers until British Rail began using it as the School of Transport. Whilst the building was owned by British Rail there were many PWI meetings held within the old lecture hall. 

In 1956, the Institution underwent expansion, incorporating a diesel traction demonstration building and introducing new engineering courses. 

By 1976, it had been renamed The Railway Engineering School, focusing on signalling, telecommunications, and electronics. 

In 1991, a conference suite was added for British Rail’s Quality and Safety Services Department, followed by the transfer of the British Rail Civil Engineering Training Centre from Watford in 1994. This move led to the amalgamation of the Derby Signalling and Telecomms Training Centres with six other locations to establish the College of Railway Technology in 1998, later rebranded as Catalis Rail Training.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LMS_School_of_Transport

Thanks to Mike Mcloughlin & Dave Ratledge for their images.