SE reducing services to allow daytime inspections

[Nicholas Lewis]

South Eastern are implementing some alterations to their time table on certain to allow daytime inspections

https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/daytime-inspections-for-improved-maintenance

A small number of timetable changes on four routes across Kent will take place off-peak, within school hours on weekdays, over a six-month period.
This will give railway workers more time in-between trains to carry out a greater number of maintenance inspections in daylight hours, which helps to improve their efficiency and supports better performance.

A new approach to carrying out vital maintenance inspections of railway infrastructure across Kent is to be expanded this year in a drive to improve efficiency and performance.

Delivered by South Eastern Railway, which brings the publicly owned train operator, Southeastern and infrastructure provider, Network Rail Kent Route, under a single leadership team, the programme strikes a balance between the times of lower passenger demand and essential maintenance.

They are planning reductions in daytime frequencies on the following routes on weekdays on a roughly once a month cycle

Maidstone East – Ashford International (08:25 London Victoria to Ashford International service diverted after Otford run fast to Ashford )

Sheerness - Sittingbourne (2 TPH to 1 TPH 09.25 to 15.25 )

Strood – Paddock Wood (2 TPH to 1 TPH 09.10 to 15.00 )

Tonbridge – Ashford (2 TPH to 1 TPH 09.40 to 15.00 )

Not sure of the logic here as its ruins a turn up and go service on timetables that people know. It requires stock and crew alterations which probably reduces the overall efficiency.

Also the time it takes to setup and take a line blockage (be no point in a T3) still leaves limited working time of probably 40-45mins/hour and thats if they only take one of the lines.

Im surmising this has come about from Red Zone working being banned these days when daytime patrolling, inspections, lubrication and bolt tightening would have been done.

Seems to me its about trying to sell the SE Alliance working as beneficial but how is it really putting the passenger first.

 

[Surreytraveller]

They're probably catching up on maintenance that the previous government suspended under their 'Modernising Maintenance' strap-line

 

[Zomboid]

If it means the work can be done without needing possessions then that should reduce the amount of total closures that are needed.

If they're going to get 40-45 minute access sessions then it follows that if the service was every 30 minutes they'd be trying to do the job in 10-15 minute windows. Which is going to be vastly less productive.

 

[Vexed]

If all they're doing is inspections, I think it would be better to make more use of drones with cameras capable of good zoom.

BVLOS flight is almost certainly going to be made easier to legally do by the CAA in the next couple of years.

I'll admit I'm unsure how much this can replace inspections on foot but it's got to help at least a bit.

Oh look, Network Rail's already doing it elsewhere.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre....erial-operations-with-british-drone-companies

Network Rail trials revolutionary approach to aerial operations with British drone companies
Region & Route: National
Network Rail and partners Drone Major Limited and Dronecloud have begun trials of “beyond visual line of sight” aerial operations on the railway to test a concept that could bring major improvements for passengers and rail freight customers.

Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drones have the technology to cover many more miles of track than their Visual Line of Sight equivalents, filling the gap between standard drones and the Network Rail helicopter*. With delays from trespass becoming one of the most significant causes of disruption on the railway – with over 1.5 million minutes since April 2024 – drones offer a game-changing speed of response. Similarly, the potential to survey the railway safely from above means Network Rail’s maintenance colleagues could be directed to potential faults quickly, rather than being forced to walk miles along the railway to find them, exposing them to risk and delaying any fixes.

Two trials are underway with the aim of establishing protocols for the safe operation of BVLOS drones on the network and achieve Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval for their wider use.

In Birmingham, Network Rail’s Rail Operating Centre has a drone operations centre set up by Dronecloud to provide aerial coverage of the network around the city for incident response and general infrastructure monitoring. Set up in partnership with drone operator RUAS alongside drone manufacturers Velos Motors and Evolve Dynamics, the Operating Centre has CAA permission to cover a range of 10km in the area. The service has already provided its worth after intervening in an incident at Birmingham New Street last year, saving passengers cumulatively hours of disruption by responding quickly.

While the system is being trialled, the drone has to be monitored visually by observers on its flights, although the operator remains at the control point. Should CAA approval be received – hopefully later this year – the drone will be allowed to fly truly Beyond Visual Line of Sight.

Meanwhile, in Wolverhampton and on the private Severn Valley Railway, Drone Major and Network Rail are trialling a system called Digital Tethering™ to allow for BVLOS drone operations in areas with poor GPS/GNSS (Global Positioning System/Global Navigation Satellite System) coverage.

Both solutions offer faster response to operational incidents while assuring the safety of trains and people on the ground, and safety and privacy for lineside neighbours. The aim is to gain CAA approval for both aspects so they can be offered to Network Rail regions for use on the railway.

Network Rail’s programme manager for national drone strategy, Dominic Mottram said: “The potential for these projects to deliver a more reliable, safer railway for our passengers and colleagues is huge and could even be a game-changer.

“We operate one of the safest railways in the world, but it is also one of the busiest, so keeping trains running reliably while monitoring tracks and dealing with incidents can be a challenge and delays can spread quickly and far from the original source. Information provided by drones will mean our colleagues’ expertise in maintaining the railway can be focussed where it is needed, without exposing them to the risk of the ‘live railway’, and instances of trespass can be tackled much more quickly.”

Jan Domaradzki CEO of Dronecloud said: “Dronecloud’s vision is to deploy multiple Hubs with satellite drones ports to deliver a common capability for all asset managers and drone operators needing to fly BVLOS across the UK. This will be a truly game-changing capability, opening the door for centralised mass-scale deployment of drones across all Critical National Infrastructure.”

Robert Garbett, Founder and Chief Executive of Drone Major Limited commented: “Drones represent enormous opportunities across a huge number of industries. Network Rail’s initiative as a ‘first mover’ in trialling our Digital Tethering™ concept sets an example worldwide. In the UK, it presents an opportunity to fully modernise our rail infrastructure; deliver a faster, safer, more effective and efficient service for customers; and ultimately drive economic growth for the whole of the UK.”

Through proving the concept and gaining CAA approval for full BLVOS drone usage, it is hoped that the technology will spread across the railway and beyond, with the UK becoming a world leader in the field.

*Network Rail’s helicopter, an Airbus twin-squirrel (Ecureil 2), is still a very important part of the company’s air operations, with the ability to cover many miles of track quickly and the ability to carry a variety of imaging technology, including the company’s new MACS (Multi Aspect Camera System). It is particularly suited to Scottish operations, where many miles of track run through isolated parts of the Highlands, and London.

My bold in the quote. It seeks they're focusing on incident response but still looking at maintenence inspections.

BVLOS = Beyond Visual Line of Sight aka flying a drone when you can't see it, which is normally illegal
CAA = Civil Aviation Authority

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jul 2025 ==

Seems to me its about trying to sell the SE Alliance working as beneficial but how is it really putting the passenger first.

I don't think it is, at least directly. It's putting cost savings first.

 

[Watershed]

I wonder to what extent the cost savings achieved from the reduction in unit mileage, traction electricity and crew costs are contributing to this decision being taken. I don't want to be suspicious but maintenance is a convenient scapegoat for cutbacks.

 

[JonathanH]

Tonbridge – Ashford (2 TPH to 1 TPH 09.40 to 15.00 )

So, for instance on 6 August, there is one train an hour between Tonbridge and Ashford - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...5-08-06/0200-0159?stp=WVSC&show=all&order=wtt

The following week the full service runs - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...5-08-13/0200-0159?stp=WVSC&show=all&order=wtt

On 6 August, the relevant trains which don't continue to Ashford terminate at Tonbridge and shunt to return to London. Likewise, the trains at the Ashford end still run eastwards to Dover but are retimed.

I wonder to what extent the cost savings achieved from the reduction in unit mileage, traction electricity and crew costs are contributing to this decision being taken.

Not much in my view. I can't imagine there is much saving given the trains still run over the part of the route not covered by the engineering access and have more complicated shunt arrangements.

If they were being fully cut from the timetable, rather than one week in four, then I think there would be more justification in suggesting that it is driven by cost savings.

That said, the fact that Southeastern are prepared to remove trains from the timetable must suggest that many of these services are moving fresh air around rather than passengers.

 

[The Planner]

I wonder to what extent the cost savings achieved from the reduction in unit mileage, traction electricity and crew costs are contributing to this decision being taken. I don't want to be suspicious but maintenance is a convenient scapegoat for cutbacks.

If certain tasks and maintenance go out of compliance then you are into the world of ORR taking a very dim view. Red zone has caused a lot of issues speaking to access planners and Id expect more requests along these lines be it section 4 or 5s or line blockages. Even these requests are going to cost in terms of Schedule 4.

 

[Class 170101]

So, for instance on 6 August, there is one train an hour between Tonbridge and Ashford - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...5-08-06/0200-0159?stp=WVSC&show=all&order=wtt

The following week the full service runs - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...5-08-13/0200-0159?stp=WVSC&show=all&order=wtt

On 6 August, the relevant trains which don't continue to Ashford terminate at Tonbridge and shunt to return to London. Likewise, the trains at the Ashford end still run eastwards to Dover but are retimed.

But on the week of the 6th August, that seems like a stupid time and will look especially stupid if we keep having these heatwaves (3rd one in 30ish days coming up later this week) and people will want to dash off to the coast to cool off.

 

[JonathanH]

But on the week of the 6th August, that seems like a stupid time and will look especially stupid if we keep having these heatwaves (3rd one in 30ish days coming up later this week) and people will want to dash off to the coast to cool off.

In this day and age of people checking train times on phone apps and deciding whether a service is running or not, won't they just decide to go to Hastings instead of Folkestone, for example, or just use the trains that are still running?

 

[brad465]

South Eastern are implementing some alterations to their time table on certain to allow daytime inspections

https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/daytime-inspections-for-improved-maintenance


They are planning reductions in daytime frequencies on the following routes on weekdays on a roughly once a month cycle


Sheerness - Sittingbourne (2 TPH to 1 TPH 09.25 to 15.25 )

Pretty sure this is a normal part of the timetable on this branch these days anyway.

 

[Class 170101]

If certain tasks and maintenance go out of compliance then you are into the world of ORR taking a very dim view. Red zone has caused a lot of issues speaking to access planners and Id expect more requests along these lines be it section 4 or 5s or line blockages. Even these requests are going to cost in terms of Schedule 4.

But surely this access is still red zone albeit with look outs?

 

[The Planner]

But surely this access is still red zone albeit with look outs?

Depends on how many lines you take. You aren't going to get adjacent line open for example.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

But surely this access is still red zone albeit with look outs?

The root cause of this I'm surmising is the pretty well an outright ban on unassisted lookout working which hitherto had been permitted for patrolling and inspections on two track lines (where it wasn't red zone barred) but even that option is being removed with a target of December 25. Thus your forcing these tasks into into night time working which them imports other risks of working in the dark and not being able to see adequately for inspection purposes so there is a rationale for shifting work back into daylight where possible. The problem is taking line blockages still takes time (its also had its fair share of errors over the years) and the box likes to add in a margin to get them back in time so productive is never what you expect it to be. Its not going to save on train crew costs as service has to be modified although will be reduced variable access charges but thats largely wooden dollars in the new world. Also will it lead to a permanent diminution in the service.

Now of course staff safety needs to take priority as does keeping the railway safe but that needs to be balanced with having a viable railway that's going not only generate income but create an environment where that income grows. Growth comes from providing a reliable service day in day out and I'm not convinced that messing around with the timetable at short notice helps that cause nor will it really ever save much. Anyhow its a challenge the new railway will have to confront given the reduced level of day to day support that is expected from this government.

 

[Dr Hoo]

They're probably catching up on maintenance that the previous government suspended under their 'Modernising Maintenance' strap-line

I thought that that was an internal Network Rail initiative/ policy rather than a DfT one?

 

[YorkshireBear]

If all they're doing is inspections, I think it would be better to make more use of drones with cameras capable of good zoom.

BVLOS flight is almost certainly going to be made easier to legally do by the CAA in the next couple of years.

I'll admit I'm unsure how much this can replace inspections on foot but it's got to help at least a bit.

Oh look, Network Rail's already doing it elsewhere.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre....erial-operations-with-british-drone-companies


My bold in the quote. It seeks they're focusing on incident response but still looking at maintenence inspections.

BVLOS = Beyond Visual Line of Sight aka flying a drone when you can't see it, which is normally illegal
CAA = Civil Aviation Authority

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jul 2025 ==


I don't think it is, at least directly. It's putting cost savings first.

Many inspections cannot be replaced by a drone unfortunately, not a majority but certainly not an insignificant amount. Some even can't be done on nights and need to be done in daylight.

This seems very sensible, and assuming they have done due diligence on business case based on revenue and passenger loadings etc. should be used as a model elsewhere. The cost savings in terms of infrastructure management of this approach should not be under appreciated by those not directly involved in that area of the business.

 

[Harpo]

The passenger appears to be a major operational inconvenience to the engineers. Same old Network Rail.

 

[alxndr]

The passenger appears to be a major operational inconvenience to the engineers. Same old Network Rail.

It’s a bit of a catch-22 where you need to get the inspections and the maintenance done so you can run the trains, but you can’t get the maintenance and inspections done because there’s trains in the way.

 

[Waterlemon]

I wonder to what extent the cost savings achieved from the reduction in unit mileage, traction electricity and crew costs are contributing to this decision being taken. I don't want to be suspicious but maintenance is a convenient scapegoat for cutbacks.

Not a factor. It's to fit Patrolling in.

 

[The Planner]

The passenger appears to be a major operational inconvenience to the engineers. Same old Network Rail.

How do you suggest solving it?

 

[yorksrob]

When they say a once a month cycle, is that one day or a whole week ?

Going down to 1 train per hour Ashford - Tonbridge for most of the day seems a bit swingeing for any great length of time.

That said the weekend trains always seem busy whenever I'm on them so I can see why they'd want to avoid re-routing them.

 

[Harpo]

How do you suggest solving it?

Putting customer service in an engineering or maintenance function.

 

[Horizon22]

Putting customer service in an engineering or maintenance function.

And again - how would that help? If increased inspections are required then the best thing to do is advertise it in good time. Ultimately some sort of bus replacement could be provided, but how many people would that use it is up for debate.

Engineers and maintenance need their place or there simply won’t be a customer service to provide as disruption will be more widespread or serious.

 

[Harpo]

And again - how would that help?

There has always been an unhelpful layer of operations insulation between maintenance/engineering and the TOC/FOC customer and a big chunk of my career involved being that bloody frustrated slice of meat in the sandwich in an environment where maintainers were glad to see the back of Royal Mail trains that got in the way of their work.

Delivery to customers deserves to be on a par with safety, compliance and budget (the maintainer’s holy trinity) not fourth place.

 

[yorksrob]

I guess the question is whether this will replace the usual weekend blockades during which Tonbridge trains are switched via Maidstone East and visa versa. If it gets rid of the RRB, it could be quite popular. If not, I don't see much benefit for passengers.

 

[The Planner]

There has always been an unhelpful layer of operations insulation between maintenance/engineering and the TOC/FOC customer and a big chunk of my career involved being that bloody frustrated slice of meat in the sandwich in an environment where maintainers were glad to see the back of Royal Mail trains that got in the way of their work.

Delivery to customers deserves to be on a par with safety, compliance and budget (the maintainer’s holy trinity) not fourth place.

Its not like that at all now. Access planning is done directly with operators and people that want access, of any type, have to get it agreed. They don't have carte blanche at all.

 

[Zomboid]

I guess the question is whether this will replace the usual weekend blockades during which Tonbridge trains are switched via Maidstone East and visa versa. If it gets rid of the RRB, it could be quite popular. If not, I don't see much benefit for passengers.

I don't know what the traffic round there is like, but if the routes are presently mostly used for commuting on weekdays (either work or school) then it's unlikely to adversely impact that very much. And if it means that a full service can be offered at weekends more often then that's likely to be a net positive.

I think it's good that everyone is willing to try something different. They may of course decide that it's not the way to go and drop the idea.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

I guess the question is whether this will replace the usual weekend blockades during which Tonbridge trains are switched via Maidstone East and visa versa. If it gets rid of the RRB, it could be quite popular. If not, I don't see much benefit for passengers.

This is for patrolling and inspections and at best it shifts work out of night possessions where maybe there are some early closures to facilitate access now that may get dropped but i doubt it. In some respects the SE Alliance is getting ahead of the curve for when lookout working becomes all but impossible I believe from Dec 25 rule book update unless its signed off by very senior people. The bigger problem is there are no proposals to eliminate visual patrolling albeit its frequency has been significantly reduced over the last decade as on train monitoring as grown so gaining access for this task maybe become a big issue. The challenge for the industry is improving safety of the workforce comes at a cost in needing additional access now and they certainly will need to strike the right balance between the need to drive up fare box revenue vs maintenance costs.

 

[Harpo]

Its not like that at all now. Access planning is done directly with operators and people that want access, of any type, have to get it agreed. They don't have carte blanche at all.

Delighted to hear it. It took a long while to get around former customers to apologise once I escaped!

 

[Class 466]

Trains from Dover to Ashford depart at xx48 (highspeed) & xx52 (mainline) in this plan on the weeks its dropped to hourly... not ideal but can't really see a way around it.

 

[yorksrob]

This is for patrolling and inspections and at best it shifts work out of night possessions where maybe there are some early closures to facilitate access now that may get dropped but i doubt it. In some respects the SE Alliance is getting ahead of the curve for when lookout working becomes all but impossible I believe from Dec 25 rule book update unless its signed off by very senior people. The bigger problem is there are no proposals to eliminate visual patrolling albeit its frequency has been significantly reduced over the last decade as on train monitoring as grown so gaining access for this task maybe become a big issue. The challenge for the industry is improving safety of the workforce comes at a cost in needing additional access now and they certainly will need to strike the right balance between the need to drive up fare box revenue vs maintenance costs.

It's hard to see what a track inspector can achieve in an hours gap that they can't in a half-hourly one.