Posted 19th June 2017 | 1 Comment
Fewer trains in East Anglia as temperatures soar
TRAIN services in the East of England are being reduced in a bid to cope with soaring temperatures.
With the shade temperature expected to hit at least 30 degrees C in East Anglia today, rail temperatures could exceed 50. Network Rail has reacted by imposing speed restrictions on the Great Eastern Main Line from London Liverpool Street to Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk from midday.
Greater Anglia warned that services on a number of routes would be reduced as a result including the intercity service between London, Ipswich and Norwich, which will be halved to run every 60 minutes.
Other destinations away from the main line also affected by the timetable changes include Southend Victoria, Braintree, Clacton and Southminster.
Greater Anglia said trains running more slowly exert less pressure on the rails, while overhead lines are also vulnerable to excessive temperatures.
The operator added: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by these heat-related speed restrictions and the amended timetable that we have to run.”
Some ticket restrictions are being relaxed. Advance ticket holders may travel on an alternative service if their booked train is cancelled.
Reader Comments:
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Andrew Gwilt, Basildon Essex
New overhead wires can withstand heat as they have been designed to cope with heat up to 70 Degrees Celsius and to taut without causing any delays. Whilst the old overhead wires that have been installed in the 1950's can't cope with heat and they start to sag. Slowing down trains and causing major problems to services that have been affected by the overhead wires sagging due to heat. Also the tracks can also have the affect as they start to buckle and cause widespread delays to services and to trains. Including signaling that can also be affected by the heat. Network Rail are still working on replacing the old overhead wires on the Shenfield-Southend Victoria line and aswell replacing the older overhead wires on the GEML in East London with new overhead wires.