As hot weather begins to take hold across Scotland, Network Rail engineers have been stepping up preparations to reduce the impact extreme temperatures can have on the railway.
Summer conditions can create a range of operational challenges, including track expansion, flooding, lightning strikes, and an increased risk of lineside fires.
Since March, teams across the network have carried out maintenance designed to keep services running safely and reliably during warmer months.
This has included rail painting to reduce track temperatures, enhanced inspections and rail stressing, a process that sets rails to a neutral temperature so they can better withstand both summer heat and winter cold, reducing the risk of buckling or breaks.
In Perthshire, engineers have stressed more than four miles of rail, to improve temperature tolerance, and completed major ballast works, alongside clearing more than 160,000 square metres of vegetation to improve visibility at signals and level crossings.
Near Glasgow Central, a £1.1m upgrade at Muirhouse Junction has seen points replaced with more resilient equipment to lower the risk of heat-related failures.
The work comes ahead of major events, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which are expected to attract millions of visitors.
Across Scotland, Network Rail teams will be monitoring rail temperatures remotely, maintaining drainage systems, and carrying out enhanced inspections of track, overhead lines, and signalling equipment.
“We know summer is one of the busiest times of the year for Scotland’s railway, with major events bringing more people onto the network.
“Our teams have been working hard to get everything in place ahead of the season, from targeted maintenance and inspections to using the latest technology to monitor conditions in real time.
“This is about being prepared and making sure we continue to provide a safe and reliable service, helping to keep Scotland moving throughout the summer.”
Craig Milne, operations director at Network Rail.
Responses
In the desert regions of the USA, huge freight trains run without trouble in Summer temps up to 40C and Winter temps down to -20C. They don’t seem to have the problems with track buckling when it gets a bit warm that Britain does. Perhaps Network Rail needs to get a few tips from the US.