Network Rail is assessing how drones could support its response to severe weather on the East Coast Main Line, with flight exercises under way near Doncaster.
The infrastructure manager said the tests are examining whether aerial imagery can give engineers an early view of railway assets and identify locations needing closer inspection. The technology is being evaluated for use during flooding, storms, high winds and other incidents that can make access to the railway difficult.
Remote assessment during disruption
Drones could be used to monitor water levels, check for damage after severe weather and provide information to help determine whether train services can operate safely, according to Network Rail.
The organisation said earlier visibility of the railway’s condition could support a faster and safer response, while complementing conventional inspections and the judgement of its engineering teams.
Network Rail is conducting the evaluation after one of the hottest UK summers on record. It said the winter half-year from October to March in the decade 2016–2025 was 3% wetter than the 1991–2020 average and 13% wetter than the 1961–1990 average.
The technology is already being used elsewhere on the network. Network Rail said the East Midlands route recorded savings of approximately £100,000 between September 2025 and March 2026 across incidents including flooding, trespass and lineside fires.
Supporting engineers
John Grainger, joint head of performance at Network Rail East Coast and LNER, said: “Severe weather can make parts of the railway difficult to reach at times when we most need accurate information to help our teams make the best decisions for our customers and colleagues. Drones have the potential to give a much quicker view of what is happening, whether that means checking for damage following high winds or monitoring water levels during flooding.
“Drone tests have shown that they can support and complement our expert engineers and more traditional inspection methods, providing an extra pair of eyes during challenging times.
“We want to deliver the best service that we can for our customers as they travel by train. Embracing technology like this helps us keep everyone safe and allows us to get trains moving as quickly as possible after disruption.”