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Weatherwatch: how to protect our railways in hotter summers

The Guardian Environment Thursday 27 August 2026, 05:00 UTC By David Hambling 1 min read
Key Points

Steel rails warping and signalling equipment failing in metal cabinets are among the problems to be solvedTarmac softens in the summer heat, which may cause problems on the roads, but even trains running on steel rails are not immune. Railways in the UK are generally designed to operate within a 45C temperature range. The rails expand slightly in the heat, and excessive temperatures can produce “sun kink” with rails warping into S-shapes.

Steel rails warping and signalling equipment failing in metal cabinets are among the problems to be solved

Tarmac softens in the summer heat, which may cause problems on the roads, but even trains running on steel rails are not immune.

Railways in the UK are generally designed to operate within a 45C temperature range. The rails expand slightly in the heat, and excessive temperatures can produce “sun kink” with rails warping into S-shapes. The effect is small but the distortion can derail fast trains, so speeds are reduced for safety.

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UK (LOCATION) 45C (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian Environment Read original →

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