Lord Sainsbury viewed the Microlog next to a model of The Rocket

The tiny gadget - known as Microlog - fits on the wheel axles of trains and can detect abnormal stresses which may be caused by problems on the track.

Satellite technology packed into the system pinpoints exactly where the problem is on the line and sends out a warning to train operators.

The Microlog has been developed at Newcastle University by Dr Jarek Rosinski and with his 18-year-old son, Martin

Rail innovation

Testing is due to begin soon on the GNER East Coast mainline.

It was revealed to the public at Newcastle University's new Stephenson centre - less than a mile from the factory where Robert Stephenson built his engine The Rocket.

The new technology will be displayed alongside a small replica of the 19th Century Rocket to demonstrate how far railway innovation has developed in 200 years.

Microlog is the product of years of development by scientists with Newcastle University's Design Unit.

'Huge potential'

Lead researcher Dr Rosinski, said: "Although data loggers have been used for more than two decades, they have always been relatively big and their use has therefore been limited.

"Microlog is unique because of its miniature size, which allows us greater flexibility and means we can to fit it to smaller components such as train axles.

"The computer software which accompanies it is also extremely sophisticated.

"We have been working over several years to perfect the design and we are confident it has huge potential in a variety of applications, rail safety being just one of them."