GBR Anglia hails tech for preventing 15 major rail disruptions

GBR Anglia has reported the successful use of on-board equipment designed to monitor overhead lines and track defects, describing it as a demonstration of a unified railway operation. The system, known as Pandas-V, has been credited with preventing significant passenger delays across Greater Anglia routes.

GBR Anglia, which provides leadership for c2c, Greater Anglia, and Network Rail Anglia, has been utilising the Pandas-V system. This technology, developed by Transmission Dynamics, employs a camera and sensor mounted on the train's roof to continuously assess overhead lines. Any identified potential faults are reported to Network Rail, including precise location data and high-resolution video clips.

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Network Rail stated that this information enables engineers to conduct proactive repairs or inspections, thereby avoiding delays and ensuring passenger journeys are uninterrupted. The organisation highlighted that when overhead lines become tangled or fall, railway lines often need to be closed for repairs. Detecting and rectifying faults before they escalate is seen as a way to save public funds and prevent service disruptions.

Preventing disruption

Since its deployment on regular passenger services on Greater Anglia routes in November 2025, the Pandas-V system has helped engineers prevent major disruption on 15 separate occasions. Network Rail reported that an alert from the system in March 2026 allowed for the repair of a defect near Liverpool Street. This intervention averted the potential closure of platforms 1 to 7 at the station for an extended period.

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Another incident at Harlow Town enabled engineers to resolve an issue that could have damaged the pantograph equipment on trains passing through the area. Each pantograph costs approximately £25,000. In total, Anglia engineers estimate that Pandas-V has saved passengers an estimated 22,000 minutes of delay over a 10-month period.

The Pandas-V system has been deployed on Greater Anglia trains, including runs on the c2c and London Overground's Mildmay line, facilitated by GBR Anglia's integrated approach. It is anticipated that Pandas-V will be installed on two c2c trains within the coming months to monitor the overhead lines between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness.

In addition to the overhead line monitoring, a Greater Anglia train equipped with the system also captured front-facing video. This footage is processed by AIVR software, developed by One Big Circle, which uses artificial intelligence to identify potential future issues on or beside the track.

Integration and future benefits

Martin Beable, chief operating officer for GBR Anglia, stated that this initiative exemplifies the organisation's operational approach. He noted that close alignment between track and train operations allows for quicker adoption of innovation and the removal of barriers. He added that the successful integration of technology across the region already demonstrates benefits, with further advancements expected.

Rajdeep Ghatora, head of concession for London Overground, commented on the use of innovative technology to support infrastructure monitoring and maintenance. He indicated that for London Overground customers, this will contribute to a more reliable railway, fewer delays, and a more resilient network, enhancing passenger confidence in completing their journeys.