Media centre

Friday 21 Dec 2007

EYE IN THE SKY OUT AND ABOUT OVER WESSEX THIS CHRISTMAS

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

This year’s festive season will see Network Rail’s helicopter take to the skies to monitor the railway in the Wessex area. With passenger train services not running in the area on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the helicopter will be keeping track of any issues on the ground to help ensure that services resume smoothly on the 27th. The helicopter allows observers to monitor and protect infrastructure and alert those on the ground to attend the scene. Equipment such as thermal imaging cameras enable crews to examine from the air the operation of point heaters to ensure that bad weather does not lead to delays. David Pape, Network Rail Wessex Route Director, said: “Despite the fact that passenger train services will not be running on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, we will be using the helicopter to keep a close eye on any issues that arise on the ground. “The helicopter is a valuable resource and will enable us to make sure that any issues that arise do not lead to delays when trains begin to run again on the 27th.”