South Eastern Railway has begun trialling a pioneering thermal management system designed to protect critical railway infrastructure from the effects of extreme heat. The move comes as hotter summers increasingly put signalling equipment at risk, threatening reliability for both passengers and freight customers.
The new system, developed by UK green-tech start-up Flint Engineering, is being deployed on the Tonbridge to Hastings line. Known as IsoMat, the patented technology reduces peak cabinet temperatures by more than 21% on the hottest days. Unlike traditional cooling systems, it requires no power, maintenance, or internal modifications and can be installed by two people in under an hour.
Ten of the Kent Route’s most vulnerable signalling cabinet locations will be fitted with IsoMat units this summer following a successful pilot. Flint is already preparing to scale up production for wider deployment in time for summer 2026. Network Rail is supporting the initiative as part of a wider exploration of sustainable, passive cooling technologies that can improve climate resilience across the UK’s rail network.
David Davidson, chief operating officer for South Eastern Railway, said: “As extreme weather events become more common, we need innovative solutions to protect our infrastructure, and most importantly keep our passengers and freight customers on the move. Flint’s IsoMat technology provides a simple, effective solution to a complex problem, helping us maintain service reliability even during heatwaves.”
Mark Robinson, CEO of Flint Engineering, added: “Our partnership with Network Rail represents a perfect application of our technology where it can make a real difference. The IsoMat demonstrates how innovative engineering can address climate resilience challenges while delivering operational benefits.”
The innovation comes as Network Rail faces growing challenges from heat-related failures. In summer, signalling cabinet temperatures can exceed 70°C, leading to service delays, costly maintenance, and risks to network reliability. With commercial production of IsoMat now under way, Flint Engineering is also seeing international demand, with applications across industries such as construction, refrigeration, and electrification where efficient heat management is critical.
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