NR Helicopters

[starrymarkb]

I found a picture on Flickr of a Eurocopter Squirrel operating for Network Rail, am I right in assuming that these are used for inspections from the air given it was fitted with a large aerial camera system

 

[ainsworth74]

They are, one of the things I believe they use is infrared cameras to see if point heaters are working (and I'd guess now rail heaters).

 

[DarloRich]

There is an interesting article here: http://www.therailengineer.com/2011/07/08/birds-eye-view-from-network-rails-helicopter/

should this not be in traction & rolling stock

 

[IanXC]

should this not be in traction & rolling stock

Now that's an interesting question!

Now if this were BR they'd have TOPS numbers and itd be much easier to say!

 

[Cletus]

Didn't Michael Portillo take a ride in one during one of his railway journies?

 

[TBY-Paul]

Didn't Michael Portillo take a ride in one during one of his railway journies?

I saw that episode, They inspected the Boulby potash line, where the line goes near the cliff edge. I'm not sure if they mentioned where the helicopter was based or if they had more than one, it would be interesting to know.

 

[DarloRich]

I saw that episode, They inspected the Boulby potash line, where the line goes near the cliff edge. I'm not sure if they mentioned where the helicopter was based or if they had more than one, it would be interesting to know.

i dont think it has a "base" or depot () as such but gets deployed all over the country. I think it goes to somewhere near Wolverhampton for maintenance.

 

[Scot_in_korea]

The NR chopper is baseless but goes to Cumbernauld/Wolverhampton for maintenance.

 

[Ironside]

I saw that episode, They inspected the Boulby potash line, where the line goes near the cliff edge. I'm not sure if they mentioned where the helicopter was based or if they had more than one, it would be interesting to know.

The rail engineer states that in 2011, 1 helicopter 2 teams of 1 pilot and 1 spotter. No fixed base because the helicopter travels around the country and stays at local airports.

 

[TBY-Paul]

Thanks for that Info.
It makes sense not to have a base if they only have one, which is kind of what I was trying to find out. I wasn't sure if they had 2 or 3 covering say North, Midland & South or some similar arrangement, I don't think the programme made it clear.

 

[pablo]

It's actually chartered. I know a pilot who used to do this. In fact I've flown his chopper with him. Also detects current leakage & trespassing routes. Based wherever convenient for the current survey area.

 

[asylumxl]

The rail engineer states that in 2011, 1 helicopter 2 teams of 1 pilot and 1 spotter.

Spotters aye?

"Quick! Clag! Follow it, it might be a 37!"

(Plenty of aviation fuel later...)

"Oh darn, it's just another 180 on fire."

 

[Skymonster]

(I don't think this one is used by Network Rail now)...
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.as...appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=NETR

(I've seen this one doing Network Rail work more recently)...
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.as...appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=NTWK

Photo links are on those pages for both... And both are actually registered to PLM Helicopters of Inverness.

Andy

 

[westcoaster]

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Gallery/Network-Rail-39-s-helicopter-in-use-17cf.aspx a pic

 

[DarloRich]

here is a recent picture ( not mine)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27045884@N05/9318121991/in/contacts/

 

[tsr]

here is a recent picture ( not mine)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27045884@N05/9318121991/in/contacts/

It was over Redhill a few weeks ago, so aside from that photo, it's been used elsewhere recently!

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Now that's an interesting question!

Now if this were BR they'd have TOPS numbers and itd be much easier to say!

Class 99/1's? as the clas 99's were used for BR Sealink.