South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail have launched an innovative trial using thermal imaging technology to reduce delays and improve reliability across the network.
Passengers may soon spot ‘Hotshot’, a newly named Class 450 train equipped with advanced cameras designed to monitor track conditions in real time. This proactive approach aims to identify infrastructure issues before they escalate into service disruptions.
The train features two specialist cameras:
- A thermal imaging camera mounted at the front to detect electrical faults along the track.
- A second camera positioned underneath to monitor the shoe gear and third rail, which supply power to the train.
Data captured by these cameras will provide engineers with instant alerts on potential problems such as overheating or faulty connections. This technology promises to enhance safety, improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enable better resource allocation during incidents.
Currently, faults that Hotshot is designed to detect can cause around 200 minutes of delays on average. In severe cases, conductor rail issues have resulted in over 2,000 minutes of disruption.
As Class 450 trains operate between Central London and Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Dorset, this trial marks the first time continuous monitoring has been deployed across most of the SWR network. A previous limited trial proved successful, with a fault near Ashtead, Surrey, resolved within 48 hours—avoiding any impact on customer journeys. A similar incident in the past caused 2,500 minutes of delays.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy commented:
“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.”
Neil Drury, Engineering and Infrastructure Director for South Western Railway, added:
“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.”
The project is a joint effort between SWR and Network Rail, supported by industry partners Angel Trains, One Big Circle, Siemens, and dg8 Design. Angel Trains has led the design, management, and funding of the initiative.
If successful, the year-long trial could see this technology rolled out across more of the SWR fleet, expanding coverage and further improving reliability. The trial follows similar thermal imaging deployments by South Eastern Railway, another publicly owned operator under DFTO, serving South East London, Kent, and East Sussex.
Image credit: Network Rail
