Track Side Cameras?

[ChristopherJ]

Recently I have noticed there have been track side cameras installed at several locations on both the national rail network but most predominantly on the DLR. I asked a member of staff what they was and he said he believed they are for measurement recording and not for CCTV. They can turn 360 degrees and twist back and forth several times a minute - they look very scary and remind me of a dalek!

Found a photo of one on Flickr; what are these?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Aren't these the things that are monitoring for subsidence because of the Crossrail tunnels being dug underneath?

 

[Clip]

Yes,they are.

if you look around the tracks and structures you will see little reflecting discs dotted about which then send the beam back.

 

[swt_passenger]

Recording theodolites, not cameras. There are some on the platforms at Paddington.

They provide a data record rather than pictures.