Ep 58. Network Rail's Eye in the Sky

Rail Technology Magazine Podcast

We are joined by the Head of Air Operations at Network Rail, Bradley Sparkes, and National Aerial Survey Specialist, Sean Leahy.

Bradley and Sean offer some fascinating insight into how Network Rail patrols the British railway from the sky, identifying faults on helicopter and drone explorations.

Sean discusses the technology his team uses, meaning they are capable of observing faults that may otherwise go unnoticed while flying at hundreds of feet. He also gives insight into his team’s thermal imaging operations, which identify faults that would escape the naked eye.

Bradley also explains how demand for the Air Operations Team’s services has proliferated, with a 92% increase in callouts for route proofing in recent months, and how they are capable of covering vast expanses of the network so efficiently and thoroughly.

Both Bradley and Sean are excellent guests with incredible stories of observing our rail network from above, and share some brilliant insights about the technology at their disposal.