South Western Railway trials thermal imaging tech to tackle train delays
Hotshot is equipped with two thermal imaging systems to detect electrical issues on the tracks
South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail have launched an innovative trial using thermal imaging technology to help prevent delays for passengers across their network.
The trial sees a newly named Class 450 train, ‘Hotshot’, fitted with advanced cameras that monitor track conditions in real time, enabling engineers to spot and fix infrastructure problems before they disrupt journeys.
Hotshot is equipped with two key cameras: a thermal imaging system at the front to detect electrical issues on the tracks, and another underneath to check the train’s shoe gear and third rail, which supply power to the train.
These cameras send live alerts to engineers about potential problems such as overheating or faulty connections, improving safety, boosting efficiency, and helping reduce maintenance costs.
On average, the types of faults Hotshot is designed to detect can cause up to 200 minutes of delays, and in the most severe cases, conductor rail issues have led to disruptions of over 2,000 minutes.
SWR’s Class 450 trains run between Central London and Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Dorset, meaning the trial covers a large part of the network with round-the-clock monitoring for the first time.
A previous, smaller trial on SWR saw a track fault in Surrey fixed within 48 hours with no impact on customer journeys, compared to another similar incident that caused 2,500 minutes of delays.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy praised the project, stating: “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 for SWR, 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 will identify potential infrastructure issues before they escalate, helping to reduce disruption and keep our customers moving.”
Barry Fox from Angel Trains added: “Continuous monitoring of the infrastructure offers real value in helping deliver a more reliable railway for passengers.”
The project is a partnership between SWR, Network Rail, Angel Trains, One Big Circle, Siemens, and dg8 Design, and is managed and funded by Angel Trains. If successful over the year-long trial, the technology could be rolled out across more of the SWR fleet.
The move follows similar expansions of thermal imaging monitoring by South Eastern Railway, as part of a wider push to deliver smarter, more reliable rail services for passengers in the UK.