One Big Circle deployed AIVR (Automated Intelligent Video Review) camera systems on South Western Railway’s Class 450 ‘Hotshot’ train in collaboration with Network Rail, Angel Trains, Siemens, and dg8 Design. This year-long trial provides continuous, intelligent monitoring of track infrastructure across London, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Dorset.
The Challenge
South Western Railway experienced significant passenger disruption as a result of conductor rail and infrastructure faults on the network. Traditional track inspection methods rely heavily on physical site visits, limiting the ability to detect issues before they escalate. On average, conductor rail faults cause around 200 minutes of delay, with severe cases resulting in over 2,000 minutes of disruption.
The Solution
Three specialist AIVR (Automated Intelligent Video Review) systems have been fitted to SWR’s Class 450 train number 450-056, aptly named ‘Hotshot’:
AIVR Thermal – Thermal Imaging Camera
The award-winning thermal inspection technology captures thermographic imagery to identify overheating assets and potential electrical failures before they occur. Mounted at the front of the train, it detects electrical faults and unusual heat patterns along the track, enabling rapid response and predictive maintenance.
AIVR FFV – Visible Camera
HD cameras record detailed video of the track and lineside environment, providing essential contextual imagery for assessing detected thermal anomalies and enabling comprehensive infrastructure inspection of track, infrastructure, and asset conditions.
AIVR Shoe – Shoe Gear Monitoring
Two undercarriage cameras are positioned on both sides of the train to capture high-definition images of the interaction between the shoe and the third rail for remote inspection, monitoring the conductor rail power supply system.
The AIVR Platform: Remote Inspection
All captured data is made available through our secure, multi-award-winning AIVR Platform – trusted by over 12,000 rail professionals across the UK network. Engineers can review data captured from SWR’s Hotshot train and compare video types simultaneously for a complete picture, conducting comprehensive inspections from their laptops without needing to attend site.
Key Platform Capabilities
- Side-by-side video comparison: View thermal, visible, and shoe footage simultaneously to assess the context and severity of detected issues.
- Automatic Alerts: The system provides email alerts for temperature exceedances, delivering precise network locations of high-risk thermal issues for proactive intervention. Lower-risk issues are monitored over time to track developing conditions.
- Geographic risk mapping: All hotspots and assets are mapped to precise network locations with categorised risk levels , enabling safe, prioritised repairs.
- Automated hotspot detection: Machine learning algorithms automatically identify thermal anomalies and categorise issues by risk level for faster response.
- Digital inspection tools: Measure distances, annotate footage, create signal sighting reports, review safe cess, search locations, view route history, and export data – all remotely.
- AI-powered asset detection: Machine learning models identify and map lineside assets such as signals, scrap rail, infrastructure components and more, alongside their conditions
- Automated data sharing: Seamless provision of data to Network Rail and other stakeholders for coordinated maintenance activities.
This capability fundamentally transforms routine infrastructure monitoring from a physical site visit into an effective desktop review activity, delivering immediate safety, efficiency, and cost improvements.
Looking Forward
During an earlier trial, the AIVR cameras identified a fault near Ashtead, Surrey, which was rectified within 48 hours with zero impact on passenger journeys. Network Rail reports that a similar previous incident caused 2,500 minutes of delays.
This comprehensive system has proven particularly effective at preventing conductor rail faults by predictively identifying components at risk of failure. Teams can act before potential fires on the track corridor, reducing both the safety risks and the significant reparative costs associated with thermal failures.
Cross-Industry Collaboration
Building on industry progress in neighbouring regions and the drive for innovation within the region, this project represents the first time AI-powered monitoring has been deployed across the SWR network. The initiative has been designed, managed, and funded by Angel Trains, with One Big Circle providing the core AIVR technology including the hardware and software, enabling secure online access for remote review.
The Future of Railway Monitoring
If the year-long trial proves successful, the AIVR technology could be rolled out across the additional trains in the SWR fleet, further expanding network coverage and reliability.
By combining thermal imaging with machine learning and AI-powered models, One Big Circle is helping to create a safer, more efficient, and more reliable railway network – delivering tangible benefits for passengers, operators, and maintenance teams alike.
Testimonials
Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, 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 to deliver an efficient and reliable railway.
Neil Drury, Engineering and Infrastructure Director at South Western Railway, said:Much like our famous ‘Flying Banana’ train which helps monitor the tracks, you can now look out for Hotshot. We hope this innovative collaboration between SWR, Network Rail, Angel Trains and our other partners will identify potential infrastructure issues before they escalate, helping to reduce disruption on the network and keep our customers moving.
Barry Fox, Head of Product Management at Angel Trains, said:We’re proud to be supporting the introduction of this technology on passenger trains. Continuous monitoring of the infrastructure offers real value in helping deliver a more reliable railway for passengers. This has been made possible by working closely with our customers and suppliers to deliver a fully integrated solution.
Emily Kent, Co-Founder at One Big Circle, said:The One Big Circle team is delighted to see our AIVR technology supporting this fantastic collaboration. By capturing and combining forward-facing, thermal, and under-train shoe cameras and applying AI we are able to deliver actionable imagery and data for engineers. This digital review capability provides the intelligence needed to monitor infrastructure, identify potential issues early, and ultimately help keep the railway safe, efficient, and resilient.
