Network Railway’s Air Operations team have taken to the skies to monitor tracks to ensure trains keep running in these below zero temperatures.

To keep each set of points, used by trains to change tracks, operational, heaters are fitted to melt ice and snow.

One of the easier ways to spot if these heaters are working is using thermal imaging cameras attached to helicopters. This work carried out by Network Railway’s Air Operations team.

On thermal imaging, heaters show up bright white when working and dark when defective. Being easy to tell the difference, the team can notify ground staff to look into any potential issues and resolve them swiftly.

The helicopter can cover miles of track in a short space of time, on busy routes such as the West Coast Mainline.

Network Rail‘s Central Route Director Dave Penney said: “With the West Midlands under a blanket of snow the Network Rail Air Operations team has been inspecting the railway from the sky today (Monday 25th January) to help keep passengers and freight moving.

“Key sections of track are fitted with heaters and insulation to help stop them freezing. Thermal imaging cameras attached to a helicopter have been checking the heaters are working.

“Anything reported to us from the skies can then be looked at straight away by the extra teams of people on the ground and fixed as quickly as possible.”

Where Next?

RAILADVENT PLUS
Support the website and get member benefits in return
RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures.
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
NETWORK RAIL
Visit their website