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Network Rail Helicopter

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Aussie_Rail

Aussie_Rail

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Wow, you guys have a helicopter for rail operations? They don't have one here believe it or not.

What are the two devices attached under it? One looks like a spotlight, but what is the other one?
 
djw1981

djw1981

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Used for survey work, remote access to RETB stations for maintenance, also used for reports of tresspassers on track (if in the area). Is fitted with track survery camera and spotklight as well as night vision as i understasnd it. Was hypothesissed to be used when the Tesco train has to stop near Wishaw as there were opportunistic thefts from train occurring.
 
Aussie_Rail

Aussie_Rail

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lol 'remote access', sounds like a Police Helicopter, do they use it as back up if its in the area? Or is it strictly for railway work? And, how many of these choppers do they have? And where is it based normally?

Also, I know Tesco as the supermarket but what was the Tesco train?

Cheers.
 
SouthEastern-465

SouthEastern-465

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i think NR use it as like an inspection unit from the sky,as i was reading in a train magazine,its like a police helicopter but looks for intruders,damage on the railway,etc....the bloody thing annoys me buzzing around and circling the same bit of land but i guess its doing it for the best,and doing it for everyones safety though,as for the tesco train it was allegedly tried to be robbed a couple of months back like a western style theme,they tried it again,but they have never been caught,and the tesco train is a train that runs each day and is operated by DRS,but the same loco is used each day,so it was painted in tesco/DRS livery,i think thats it not sure though,but im not good with this area,so sorry if im wrong!
 
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F

First class

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Great Tesco Robbery eh?

Must carry electronics, fags and booze then....

Is this the train that goes all the way up the Far North Line with groceries?
 
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FusionRail

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It flies round the whole country routinely
Looking at fences, sub stations and wetbeds and adjacent land use.
Theres a MOM at Eastleigh who's had a couple of rides in it.

Now, Its a f***ing helicopter. Get over it.
 
heart-of-wessex

heart-of-wessex

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I believe the furthest north the Tesco train goes is actually Mossend, but there was one that was to the far north by rail, that was the Safeway train IIRC to Georgmas Junction.
 
djw1981

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Tesco train goes to Grangemouth (thence cointainers go by road to the distribuition centre at Bathgate (about 1/4 mile from the Bathgate branch......).

ASDA havbe some containers on a WH Malcolm train. IIRC a supermarket (I think Tesco) will be running to Inverness where they will unload at the 'pad' which in the 1990's Safeway used to send deliveries to Georgemas.
 
Hampshire Unit

Hampshire Unit

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I Just wanted to add that it’s a great photo. Yes it’s used for various reasons including Trespass and Vandalism which sadly the Portsmouth Hilsea and Cosham locations are all in the top 5 for the Wessex area. The Helicopter is also used for rail incident investigations by providing the “birds eye” view from above any major derailments etc.
 
37401

37401

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now that really is a FLYING bannana :lol: shame its not in yellow but then it would clash with the RAF choppers
 
Mintona

Mintona

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FusionRail said:
The worlds best comeback, that.

So, how am I a stoat?
Click to expand...

You have been known as Fusionstoat by a fair few people ever since you joined mate.

There was absolutely no need to be so abrupt, someone saw a helicopter and asked a question. I myself was interested in finding out the answer, as I had no idea. Just coz you know something, doesn't mean everyone else does.

It isn't just a "****ing helicopter" if you don't know about it, it is actually quite interesting to hear that Network Rail have one, and interesting to know what they use it for.

Stoat ;)
 
A

AC/DC Boy.

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Hampshire Unit said:
I Just wanted to add that it’s a great photo. Yes it’s used for various reasons including Trespass and Vandalism which sadly the Portsmouth Hilsea and Cosham locations are all in the top 5 for the Wessex area. The Helicopter is also used for rail incident investigations by providing the “birds eye” view from above any major derailments etc.
Click to expand...

Yes it has been used in conjuction with the BTP to stop people tresspassing on lines, and causing a nuicance. It has also appeared in an episode of the BBC series "Rail Cops" that aired a few years ago.
 
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