The illegal activity is considered dangerous as South Western Railway trains are powered by an ‘always on’ electric third rail.
It’s capable of carrying 750 volts of direct current, which can cause severe, lifechanging injuries or death.
Last September, a trespasser near Clapham Junction caused more than 57 hours of delays and was later jailed for 8 weeks.
Another incident in the New Malden area in August 2024 saw the equivalent of nine days of delays, costing the taxpayer £1.2 million.
The trespasser was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Between April 2025 and June 2026, trespass and fatalities caused almost 14% of cancellations and over 200,000 minutes of delays.
The drone is operated remotely from a high-tech control centre almost 80 miles away in the Southampton area.
Tom Desmond, Operations Director for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said:
“Trespass is one of the leading causes of disruption on our network, delaying our customers’ journeys and costing taxpayers. Every minute of delay at London Waterloo also has a significant impact on our wider network.
“By providing rapid, live intelligence from the air, this drone helps us respond more quickly to incidents, enhance safety and keep trains moving along one of the country’s more important railway lines.
“It’s an exciting use of innovative technology between South Western Railway, Network Rail Wessex and our partners at SkyBound and part of our plan to give customers more reliable journeys.”
