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In a bid to prevent the types of behaviour that can cause a train crash, in early 2009 Virgin Trains announced that they were scheduling the installation of high-resolution cameras able to take wide-angle pictures from the front and rear of their trains.
Working on trains travelling at speeds up to 125mph, the cameras are able to send high definition pictures of vandals, trespassers and even cars that jump the lights at level crossings. Wi-fi links will send the pictures to central control centres where staff can scrutinise the images and act with the help of local law enforcement very quickly if necessary.
Cameras have been fitted in the cabs of trains for some time by other operators, but these basic devices do not always give images clear enough to be useful. Virgin's new cameras are more sophisticated and have greater versatility in their usage.
Acts of trespass and vandalism regularly put lives of passengers and railway workers at risk, with cases where articles have been placed on tracks or dropped from bridges onto trains passing underneath regularly reported in the media. Track maintenance is of course another major factor in railway accidents and level crossing abuse also compromises train and passenger safety.
Virgin Train's chief operating officer hoped that the cameras would be useful in railway accident prevention by spotting potential track problems such as flooding and obstacles on or near the track.
He said, "It will give us the capability to zoom in on details in the footage, such as individual strands of wires in the overhead power lines."
Initially, the cameras were to be fitted to the tilting Super Voyager trains, running between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham; these are to be followed by installation on Pendolino trains operating between London and Glasgow.
The Scotland manager for Passenger Focus, the official watchdog, suggested the cameras would be "good for safety and security" and aid rail companies in tackling vandalism and trespass that endangers rail safety and can cause train crashes.
Passenger compensation for train crash victims
Here at YouClaim we have many years experience dealing with passengers who have been involved in a train crash or railway accident in which they have suffered personal injury.
Our specialised compensation solicitors work on a no win, no fee basis that ensures claimants are never charged a penny for their services whether the claim is successful or not. And in a won case claimants always receive 100 percent of the compensation agreed or awarded.
For confidential and free advice please call our UK helpline on 0800 10 757 95 or we can call you back at a time to suit you.
Alternatively, fill in our online claim form and we will call to discuss the details of your train crash claim.
