Network Rail’s “Hotshot” boosts reliability in SW England

A new type of train is patrolling the South Western Railway (SWR) network out of London Waterloo and all the way to south coast ports, including Portsmouth and Southampton. It’s a passenger unit, but it’s carrying more than people. Hotshot is a pioneering monitoring train equipped with advanced cameras that track the condition of the railway’s electrical infrastructure. By detecting potential faults before they occur, the initiative aims to reduce disruptions and improve reliability for both passenger and freight services, whether electric or not.