Why a ‘Flying Banana’ train was shooting blue laser beams in Arbroath

By Peter John Meiklem

October 13 2022, 5:16pm

Three views of the train passing through Arbroath in October 2022. Image: Ashleigh Louise

Arbroath residents spotted a ‘Flying Banana’ shooting blue laser beams into the sky this week.

No, it is not April Fools Day.

The train in question is Network Rail’s New Measurement Train (NMT) which caused waves as it went about its work on the east coast line on Tuesday night.

Affectionately known as the ‘Flying Banana’ due to its distinctive yellow livery, the train uses laser sensors to collect data (and put on a show for those who could be forgiven for thinking aliens have finally landed).

And despite the name, it’s not all that new. Network Rail engineers have been using it to keep passengers safe for around 15 years.

Blue lasers shoot into the sky from train. — Strange lights in the Arbroath sky. Image: Ashleigh Louise

It records track condition information at speeds up to 125mph.

That information helps locate and identify faults before they become a safety issue or affect performance.

The train covers 115,000 miles in a year and will capture around 10TB of image data every 440 miles.

Crossing the Tay Bridge. pic.twitter.com/fAWpiggwoQ

— Eden Road TMD & Wenstead (@EdenRoadTMD) November 10, 2020

Network Rail say the Flying Banana is “one of the most technically advanced trains of its type in the world”.

Although we cannot substantiate that, we can say it certainly puts on a spectacular show.

‘Laser train’ shoots blue beam into the sky

The train wowed onlookers in Arbroath and beyond with a blue beam shining from a hatch in the carriage into the night sky.

The appearance has led to feverish speculation as to exactly what the train was doing on the east coast and when it will return.

Some eagle-eyed watchers also questioned the need to record data above the train when trains north of the central belt are not (yet) running on electric power lines.

The Flying Banana shoots blue lasers into the sky. Image: Ashleigh Louise.

Well, unfortunately Network Rail officials are remaining tight lipped on the details.

A spokesman would only reveal the NMT was inspecting the line as part of “routine track monitoring”.

“The NMT measures the condition of the track using scanners, a high resolution camera and a high-tech measurement system designed to locate and identify faults before they become a problem,” he said.

And when will it return?

That remains a mystery for now other than to say there will be plenty of new found train spotters eager to catch a glimpse of the bizarre vehicle and give it a warm welcome.