RailBAM system to be piloted to diagnose potential train problems

System listens to every individual axle bearing on trains as they pass.

A new system which can diagnose potential problems with trains by listening to them as they pass is to be piloted.

RailBAM monitors 300 trains a day on the Wessex Route and employs an array of hi-tech microphones mounted at the side of the track that listen to every individual axle bearing on each train as it passes by.

Information on how the bearings sound is then fed back securely to a database in real time, where it is compared to the sound of a perfect bearing.

Sound analysis allows tiny bearing defects to be identified months before they become critical.

South West Trains and Siemens, working in close collaboration with Network Rail, have joined forces to pilot the system.

Steve Scrimshaw, Managing Director of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility, said: "The long term investment in innovative RailBAM technology will minimise maintenance costs and passenger disruption whilst improving safety."

"The ability to monitor the trains while they are in service means that not only can potential problems be identified in advance, but they can be corrected as part of routine maintenance."

Further information:
Stagecoach Group