- Rail passengers across the UK are experiencing significant disruption, including cancellations and delays, as temperatures are forecast to reach almost 40C this week.
- Major operators like Great Western Railway, Avanti, and LNER have advised against non-essential travel on Wednesday and Thursday due to a 'heat-dome' settling over western Europe.
- Extreme heat causes steel tracks to expand and potentially buckle, while overhead power lines can sag, necessitating temporary speed restrictions to ensure safety.
- Network Rail highlights that hot weather poses challenges comparable to freezing winters, impacting tracks, overhead power lines, and the ground supporting the railway infrastructure.
- Engineers employ measures such as painting tracks white to lower temperatures by 5C and lubricating rail joints to allow for expansion, alongside using sensors and thermal imaging to manage heat stress.
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