Brits planning to travel via train this week have been warned of delays due to speed restrictions imposed as a result of the heatwave.
In case you hadn't noticed, it's hot. Temperatures are set to reach record levels in the UK today and tomorrow (18, 19 July), and us humans aren't the only ones who will feel the impacts of it.
As well as turning us all into sweaty messes, hot weather can affect the railway lines, overhead power lines and the ground surrounding the train track.
According to Network Rail, the steel which makes up train lines can get up to 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature, at which point it expands and can damage equipment which detects where trains are on the track. This is known as a buckled rail, and at this point Network Rail has to stop or delay trains to ensure there are no collisions.
The heat can also cause overhead lines that provide power to the trains can expand and sag, meaning trains must travel more slowly to avoid damaging them.
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With temperatures exceeding 35°C in the UK at the start of this week, Network Rail chief spokesperson Kevin Groves told Sky News that the company will be imposing speed restrictions on trains, which could more than double journey times.
Trips which typically take two hours could take 'more than four hours', according to Groves, as a result of the emergency measures.
He commented: "Certainly later on today that (buckling) is a strong possibility, which is why, from about midday today through till 8pm tonight, there will be large swathes of England and Wales that will have emergency heat-related speed restrictions placed on the rail network."
Groves has assured any passengers who rearrange travel will receive a refund for their journey, adding: "Our advice to passengers if they can, today and tomorrow, is only travel if it’s really necessary; otherwise try and shift your arrangements to later in the week and you’ll get a full refund."
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The spokesperson's warning comes along with a warning posted on Network Rail's website which urges passengers in England and Wales to 'only travel if absolutely necessary on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July'
"There will be delays, cancellations and last-minute changes to train services due to the unprecedented record heat on those days," the company explains.
Network Rail has already announced plans to close the East Coast Main Line on Tuesday afternoon for all locations between London King’s Cross and York and Leeds due to the heat.
Emily Brown