Network Rail's Wales and Borders route has become the first in the organisation to install local weather stations on existing GSM-R railway communication masts. This initiative aims to provide more accurate, real-time information, enabling teams to respond more effectively to severe weather events.
Ten stations have been installed across Wales and Borders, measuring key meteorological data including rainfall, wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure directly from railway locations. The technology was developed by Ninehundred Communications Group.
This investment follows lessons learned from numerous severe weather events. Between February 2023 and January 2026, 25 named storms affected the route, causing an average of over 38 hours of delays and costing approximately £179,000 per storm in train performance costs. Storm Darragh, in December 2024, was particularly costly at £1.3 million.
The new stations are located at Whitland, Llantwit, Cilmeri, St George’s, Trewyn, Craven Arms, Gobowen, Glantwymyn, Llanrwst, and Buckley. These sites were chosen to fill gaps in existing weather monitoring and bolster information in areas prone to severe weather.
These stations will complement Network Rail's existing work with weather forecasting specialists MetDesk. By providing direct, local readings from the railway, the new technology offers operational teams a clearer understanding of on-the-ground conditions, enhancing forecasting accuracy and helping to refine operational weather thresholds.
Daniel Booth, Head of Operational Weather Strategy at Network Rail Wales and Borders, stated, "These new weather stations are a great example of how new technology can help us better understand and respond to the challenges our railway faces, giving our teams access to more accurate, localised information."
In addition to the weather stations, Network Rail is enhancing its autumn preparations across Wales and Borders with specialist treatment trains, targeted drainage improvements, increased vegetation management, and dedicated Autumn Response Teams.
