Networx3 UAV have deployed their 21st century drone technology to futureproof a 134-year-old preserved railway line.
The award-winning Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, which runs through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is facing a huge hike in its electricity bill in the spring of next year.
Bosses at the volunteer-run railway are bracing themselves for the cost of their electricity to treble – from £30,000 to £90,000 a year.
Networx3 UAV were called in to do a drone survey of the huge engine sheds to see if electricity-generating solar panels could be installed on the roof - which could mean their bills drop to zero.
In less than an hour Networx3 UAV managing director and commercial drone pilot Ian Ashworth was able to give the solar panels project the green light after undertaking a comprehensive bird’s eye survey using Networx3 UAV’s £28,000 Matrice 210 V2 RTK – which includes broadcast quality video, thermal imaging and high-definition cameras which can pick up an image the size of a postage stamp from a kilometre away.
Ian said: “Our crystal clear ‘eye in the sky’ drone footage has meant there’s no need for scaffolding and cherry pickers to access the roofs and survey them - that’s a big saving in terms of time and cost. Drones can get to places which are awkward, inaccessible and expensive to reach and beam back live video of what they find to our state-of-the-art mobile drone control centre vehicle allowing clients to direct the flight in real time.”
Thanks to the clean bill of health the drone has given the engine shed roofs plans are now underway to install more than 1,000 solar panels once some routine maintenance has been done.
