South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail have announced trials of new thermal imaging technology that aims to help prevent delays to train journeys.
Hotshot, a newly-christened Class 450 train fitted with cameras to monitor track conditions, will soon begin operating along routes across the south west of England, allowing engineers to assess infrastructure problems before they cause long-term disruption.
The train has been fitted with two cameras: a thermal imaging camera at the front to monitor for electrical issues; and a camera underneath to monitor the shoe gear and third rail.
Images will provide engineers with real time alerts of any potential issues, including overheating or faulty connections, in order to improve safety and efficiency, as well as reduce overall maintenance costs.
Class 450 trains serve routes between Central London and Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Dorset, with the trial marking the first time round-the-clock monitoring has been deployed across the majority of SWR’s network.
An initial, limited test of the technology proved fruitful when it identified a fault in the Ashtead area of Surrey, which was then rectified within 48 hours – an improvement on a previous incident which subsequently caused 2,500 minutes’ worth of delays.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said:, said:This Government is fundamentally reforming how our railways are run - creating a network that works better for the people and freight using it.
The cutting-edge technology that the integrated South Western Railway is trialling is key to achieving this and will serve as an example of the kinds of smart investments publicly owned rail companies can implement to improve services for passengers.
Upgrades like this will prevent disruption and reduce delays - supporting growth, jobs and homes as part of the Government’s plan deliver an efficient and reliable railway.
The project, a collaboration between SWR and Network Rail with industry partners Angel Trains, One Big Circle, Siemens and dg8 Design, has been designed managed and funded by Angel Trains.
Upon completion of the trial, a decision will be made on whether or not to continue with further installation on other trains in the SWR fleet.
Similar technology was used as part of a trial carried out by South Eastern Railway.
