A train operator that serves East Lancs is aiming to make its services safer and more efficient by using the same technology employed by NASA.

As part of their Intelligent Trains programme, Northern kitted out one of their Class 150 trains with LIDAR horizon scanning cameras – the same used by NASA to map the surface of the moon – a radar dome, 180-degree thermal imaging software, acoustic monitors, a G-Shock Bogie and an AI camera.

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The technology is designed to make journeys by rail safer and improve efficiency, allowing Northern to monitor the performance of its trains in real time and to provide information to Network Rail about track and other infrastructure.

A delegation of more than 60 national and international rail industry professionals were treated to a sneak preview of the technology on a special return trip from Manchester Victoria to Bradford Interchange earlier this week (Monday, January 16).

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Rob Warnes, strategic development director at Northern, said: “We were delighted to bring together such an illustrious group of rail industry representatives for the inaugural trial of our Intelligent Trains ‘concept train’.

“Among the many benefits of this technology is the ability for ‘early diagnoses’ of engineering issues on both track and train which can be addressed as part of planned maintenance rather than having to react when things go wrong.”