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Network Rail has launched pioneering trials of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations in collaboration with British companies Drone Major Limited and Dronecloud – a move set to revolutionise incident response and infrastructure monitoring across the UK’s railway network.
The trials, which are being conducted in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and on the Severn Valley Railway, aim to demonstrate the safe, large-scale use of BVLOS drones and achieve approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for their widespread deployment.
What is BVLOS and Why Is It a Game-Changer for the Railways?
Unlike conventional drones, which must remain within the operator’s line of sight, BVLOS drones can cover far greater distances, providing faster and broader aerial coverage. These cutting-edge drones bridge the gap between traditional unmanned aerial systems and Network Rail’s own helicopter fleet.
This technology is expected to enhance railway safety, reduce delays caused by trespass – which has cost over 1.5 million minutes in disruption since April 2024 – and enable faster detection of track faults, without exposing maintenance teams to live track environments.
Dominic Mottram, Network Rail’s Programme Manager for National Drone Strategy, commented:
“This is a potentially transformative development. By improving how quickly we can respond to trespass and infrastructure faults, BVLOS drones will allow us to run a safer, more reliable railway while keeping staff out of harm’s way.”
Key Trial Locations and Technologies
1. Birmingham: Drone Operations Centre
In Birmingham, a dedicated drone operations centre has been established at Network Rail’s Rail Operating Centre with support from Dronecloud, drone operator RUAS, and manufacturers Velos Motors and Evolve.
- The system currently has CAA approval to operate within a 10km range.
- Drones are flown by remote operators, but with visual observers in place as part of safety trial protocols.
- The drone centre has already proven its value, preventing major disruption at Birmingham New Street during a recent incident.
Pending full regulatory approval later in 2025, these drones will be permitted to operate truly Beyond Visual Line of Sight.
2. Wolverhampton and Severn Valley: Digital Tethering™
On the Severn Valley Railway and in Wolverhampton, Network Rail and Drone Major are testing Digital Tethering™, a system designed for BVLOS operation in areas with weak GPS/GNSS coverage.
This innovation would enable aerial coverage even in challenging environments like urban corridors, tunnels, or remote valleys – providing an alternative where satellite positioning is unreliable.
Strategic Impact and Industry Collaboration
The ambition is to secure CAA approval for both drone approaches and offer them as deployable options across Network Rail’s regional operations. Benefits include:
- Rapid incident response, especially to trespass and infrastructure failures.
- Minimised trackworker exposure, boosting staff safety.
- Increased railway reliability, leading to better service for passengers and freight customers.
- Enhanced privacy and safety compliance for lineside communities.
Jan Domaradzki, CEO of Dronecloud, said:
“This is a game-changing development. Our vision is to deploy multiple drone hubs with satellite drone ports, delivering national-scale BVLOS capability across all Critical National Infrastructure sectors.”
Robert Garbett, Founder and CEO of Drone Major, added:
“By adopting our Digital Tethering™ technology, Network Rail is setting a global example. This trial shows how the UK can lead in the modernisation of railway operations – making services faster, safer and more efficient.”
Future Potential and Global Leadership
With successful trials and CAA approval, Network Rail hopes to expand BVLOS drone technology across the national network, positioning the UK as a world leader in drone-based infrastructure monitoring.
While the organisation’s Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2 helicopter will remain a key asset, especially in remote Scottish terrain and central London, drones offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for day-to-day incident management and inspection tasks.
The rollout of these drone operations forms part of a broader strategy to futureproof Britain’s railway and improve reliability amid growing passenger and freight demands.
