Hi WesTig,Your idea about the drones - unfortunately you are out...

Hi WesTig,

Your idea about the drones - unfortunately you are out by a number of zeros as the drones will need to have specialist cameras capable of viewing the track at speed with specific software to enable fault detection. The rail network currently has a system of asset protection measures such as DED (Dragging equipment detectors, SFD (Stream flow detectors for high water during rain events) HBD (Hot box detectors - for detecting wheel bearing temperatures) to name a few. There is a large maintenance team committed to ensuring the rail is "up to scratch". The track is designed to withstand the high temperatures and prevent buckling so the chances of it happening are very remote. The drones idea is certainly not silly as I love ideas that are out of the box, just want to give you a realistic vision of cost.

Just for context - I have been involved in heavy haul rail design for 25 odd years now and I currently work in a studies team that recently looked at drones to fly pipeline corridors to do leak detection (Similar principle to what you are suggesting). The prices returned by the drone operators were in the millions. One issue with the drones is the CASA regulations and whats called beyond horizon flying where the drones fly beyond the line of sight along a pre approved route (In this case a pipeline route). The specialist equipment and software required for beyond line of sight flying meant a team of people on the ground to manage and maintain the drone and analyse the video returned in real time ahead of a train travelling at up to 80kph. Getting the approvals to fly the drones (as they are not the little backyard jobs) was no small feat and to do this regularly along the rail ahead of each train would be quite expensive.

Unfortunately whilst the drone idea is great, the practicalities and costs associated with them are not so great. Sorry to tell you.

Have a great day all.