56. In this Issue
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South-East Integration
Building Britain’ s Railway of the Future.
Rail Ops 2025
Sharing knowledge, shaping the future of rail through collaboration, insight and innovation.
Future-Proofing Auckland
How forward-thinking planning is building resilience into New Zealand’ s busiest rail network.
Weather Academy Launch
CIRO AO and Network Rail collaboratew to deliver an endorsed programme shaping weather-ready rail.
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The Digital Railway
Protecting people, signals and cyberspace— safeguarding the future of connected rail.
Subject Matter Experts
Meet the industry leaders driving learning, leadership and innovation across the network.
CIRO Jubilee Boxset
Your last chance to own a commemorative piece of CIRO history— celebrating 25 years of progress.
New Members On Board
Welcoming the latest board members, strengthening CIRO strategically.
CIRO Connect
Our award-winning introductory learning programme returns.
South Eastern Railway Integration: Building Britain’ s Railway of the Future
David Davidson
The journey towards an integrated railway is reshaping the landscape of rail in the South East.
Since the formation of South Eastern Railway( SER) as an integrated railway in June 2025, track and train are being brought back together under single, accountable leadership, bringing the railway together culturally, digitally, and organisationally. This article explores the progress so far, the benefits already being realised, and the cultural shift powering this once-in-a-generation change.
Why Integration? The Vision and the Rationale
The rationale for integration is clear: to deliver better outcomes for customers, communities, and taxpayers by eliminating duplication, reducing friction, and streamlining processes. The move to a single leadership model enables faster, more effective decision-making and a whole-system approach to challenges that have long plagued the industry. The ultimate goal is a railway that is safer, more reliable, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of its users.
Tangible Benefits: From Theory to Practice
1. Harnessing Technology for Reliability and Safety
One of the most striking examples of integration in action is the deployment of AI-enabled thermal cameras on routine services out of Kent.
These cameras detect overheating conductor rail joints— an early warning that allowed teams to intervene before a failure could disrupt services. By setting tailored alerts, SER can now respond even earlier, turning data into action and keeping trains running safely.
Similarly, high-definition cameras mounted on trains are being used to identify and target areas needing extra attention, reducing the need for disruptive line closures and improving efficiency. Flood monitoring cameras, installed at key locations, provide realtime alerts that enable faster, safer decisions during adverse weather, minimising cancellations and keeping passengers moving.
2 CIRO | Bulletin 56