Network Rail is using pioneering technology to keep passengers on the move during this week’s spell of extremely cold weather by using thermal imaging drones. The drones, which are now used routinely on the West Coast main line in Cumbria, help engineers remotely inspect the line and deploy resources to where we need it most.
The West Coast Main line has a series of heated points to prevent them from freezing over in extremely cold conditions. By inspecting with drones, engineers can quickly and easily see if there have been problems. With temperatures predicted to drop as low as -6 in parts of Cumbria tonight, this is a vital tool for engineers.
This is a great initiative. This shows where points and crossings are cold where they should be hot. Others on Network Rail are using thermal imaging to find things that are hot when they could be cold – power connections to third rail or OLE, for example.