Rail disruption during impending heatwave?
Discussion
Morning train boffins. Does anybody have an idea whether rail services are likely to suffer disruption on Mon/Tues next week? Forecast temperatures look to equal or exceed those in July 2019 which saw many cancelled services, speed restrictions, damaged overhead wires etc.
Has anything been done since then to harden the infrastructure against these sorts of weather events?
Has anything been done since then to harden the infrastructure against these sorts of weather events?
TheInternet said:
Has anything been done since then to harden the infrastructure against these sorts of weather events?
I'm happy to be corrected on this, but I gather a lot of the modern day issues stem from the use of large, welded rail sections - whilst not having the loud "click-clack" of olden day trains on jointed rails, they have significantly less expansion tolerance so buckle much more easily in the heat. Genius!ChemicalChaos said:
I'm happy to be corrected on this, but I gather a lot of the modern day issues stem from the use of large, welded rail sections - whilst not having the loud "click-clack" of olden day trains on jointed rails, they have significantly less expansion tolerance so buckle much more easily in the heat. Genius!
All mainline rail will be long welded rail, this will be the case from the 70s and 80s onwards it does have expansion joints to cope, points and overhead wires and older mechanical signaling can all be affected by high heat. Not sure on rolling stock apart from the 158 DMU has a reputation for the air con to fail.
I was shocked to find out many years ago that Frieghtliner and EWS 66's didn't come with in cab Air con, but the GBRf ones did (or a few of them at least). However much an Engine cost, I'd have thought a AC unit might have been a thoughtful addition 
Can't remember which end it is, but I was told that on a 66 if you open the windows, all the heat from the motors gets blown into the cab - not ideal when it's already 32 degrees C outside apparently.
Lineside fires must also be a pretty big hazard these days in the heat, along with the restricted access for the Fire brigade.
Can't remember which end it is, but I was told that on a 66 if you open the windows, all the heat from the motors gets blown into the cab - not ideal when it's already 32 degrees C outside apparently.Lineside fires must also be a pretty big hazard these days in the heat, along with the restricted access for the Fire brigade.
Edited by texaxile on Thursday 14th July 19:55
texaxile said:
I was shocked to find out many years ago that Frieghtliner and EWS 66's didn't come with in cab Air con, but the GBRf ones did (or a few of them at least). However much an Engine cost, I'd have thought a AC unit might have been a thoughtful addition Can't remember which end it is, but I was told that on a 66 if you open the windows, all the heat from the motors gets blown into the cab - not ideal when it's already 32 degrees C outside apparently.
Lineside fires must also be a pretty big hazard these days in the heat, along with the restricted access for the Fire brigade.
All of our Freightliner 66s have air con but it doesn’t always work very well, it often trips out and you have to reset the circuit breaker in the number one cab. Not much cop when you’re driving from number two end! Can't remember which end it is, but I was told that on a 66 if you open the windows, all the heat from the motors gets blown into the cab - not ideal when it's already 32 degrees C outside apparently.Lineside fires must also be a pretty big hazard these days in the heat, along with the restricted access for the Fire brigade.
Edited by texaxile on Thursday 14th July 19:55
On the other point you made, it’s the number two end where the heat from the radiators swirls into the cab when you drive with the side windows open.
Some of them also have small electric fans fitted in the cabs just above the windscreens, but for some reason a lot of them have been removed.
texaxile said:
Lineside fires must also be a pretty big hazard these days in the heat, along with the restricted access for the Fire brigade.
Slightly O/T, but I've seen that several preserved lines are withdrawing steam operations for that reason, unfortunate for visitors but at least it will help to eke out the limited supplies of coal. They'll be using the kettles to pull stuff on the mainline when all the new plastic tat overheats & gives up! Strategic reserve and all that
On a serious note, it's likely to be a pretty grim travel experience, aircon even on newer stuff might well be struggling and the network itself will be falling to bits. Personally, I'd drive given the choice.
On a serious note, it's likely to be a pretty grim travel experience, aircon even on newer stuff might well be struggling and the network itself will be falling to bits. Personally, I'd drive given the choice.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 16th July 12:03
This explains buckling and the steps taken to manage it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_stressing
V41LEY said:
Sitting in the doorway of a train in India supping a cold Haywards 5000 or sat on the roof.
British railways are so behind the curve !
2 people are killed every hour on Indian railways so swings and roundabouts...British railways are so behind the curve !
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/e...
V41LEY said:
Sitting in the doorway of a train in India supping a cold Haywards 5000 or sat on the roof.
British railways are so behind the curve !
Interesting point though – how come Indian railways, or any railway in properly hot climates for that matter – don't have these problems? Is it that they still use proper lengths of railway track, the sort that sends you to sleep, rather than the continuous welded stuff?British railways are so behind the curve !
Yertis said:
Interesting point though – how come Indian railways, or any railway in properly hot climates for that matter – don't have these problems? Is it that they still use proper lengths of railway track, the sort that sends you to sleep, rather than the continuous welded stuff?
My understanding is that it is more to do with range of temperature. UK railway track isn't designed to cope with -10 (or whatever a UK winter is) to +40°C. I've seen lots of comments on social media saying what you've said but in a more idiotic manner, but the places they all reference have much warmer winters than we do so the steel of the rails is stressed differently.meb90 said:
Yertis said:
Interesting point though – how come Indian railways, or any railway in properly hot climates for that matter – don't have these problems? Is it that they still use proper lengths of railway track, the sort that sends you to sleep, rather than the continuous welded stuff?
My understanding is that it is more to do with range of temperature. UK railway track isn't designed to cope with -10 (or whatever a UK winter is) to +40°C. I've seen lots of comments on social media saying what you've said but in a more idiotic manner, but the places they all reference have much warmer winters than we do so the steel of the rails is stressed differently.Burrow01 said:
LNER have just cancelled all trains south of York for tomorrow
Yup f
ked up my plans. a Run down on the train at tea time tonight, all day meeting tomorrow and home to Yorkshire. It now means another night in the barking hotel £400 and missing stuff at home, back home Wednesday.
I see the forecast is not as mental as predicted.
Likelihood of this cancellation being stood down?
PushedDover said:
Burrow01 said:
LNER have just cancelled all trains south of York for tomorrow
Yup f
ked up my plans. a Run down on the train at tea time tonight, all day meeting tomorrow and home to Yorkshire. It now means another night in the barking hotel £400 and missing stuff at home, back home Wednesday.
I see the forecast is not as mental as predicted.
Likelihood of this cancellation being stood down?
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