Network Rail investigates heatwave resilience

25 July 2022

Network Rail has launched a new taskforce led by independent experts to investigate and make recommendations on how the railway can develop its approach to resilience during hot weather following last week’s unprecedented heatwave.

As reported previously, some parts of the UK sweltered in record temperatures of more than 40C during the conditions, which sparked wildfires, buckled railway lines, brought down trackside cables and melted roads.

The review will consider four key areas. These include assessing the likelihood of more frequent extreme hot weather events in the UK and how forecasting could mitigate the impact; and how the railway infrastructure could continue to function safely and reliably during very hot weather.

It will also look at how services might operate safely and without greatly limiting speed restrictions in extreme heat, while recognising the possibility of very cold temperatures at other times of year;  and how to communicate information to passengers about expected disruptive events. 

Currently, speed limits for trains are brought in during heatwaves. Steel tracks absorb heat easily and are typically 20C above the surrounding air temperature. The restrictions help because a train exerts less force as it travels more slowly, reducing the risk of the rail buckling. 

Network Rail, which manages 20,000 miles of track, also paints some localised sections of steel white (above) in advance of high temperatures. The process can reduce the heat in a rail by 5-10C, again increasing its stability.