Could all trains be cancellation of all services above a certain temperature threshold?

[WillC]

Moderator note: Split from

Derailment at Wickford - Friday 14th August 2026

Been hearing apparently there's been another derailment this time at Wickford according to internals

www.railforums.co.uk

Oh no. This is bad on many levels. For the people involved, but also because I imagine the fall-out may simply be cancellation of all services above a certain temperature threshold. Default protection.

 

[richa2002]

Oh no. This is bad on many levels. For the people involved, but also because I imagine the fall-out may simply be cancellation of all services above a certain temperature threshold. Default protection.

Which would be beyond ridiculous as continental Europe deals just fine on the whole with these kind of temperatures in the summer and sub-zero temperatures in the winter. Just requires some quick and proper adaptation from Network Rail if indeed the weather is to blame.

 

[D1511]

Can we have the thread title in English please?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Moderator note: Split from

Derailment at Wickford - Friday 14th August 2026

Been hearing apparently there's been another derailment this time at Wickford according to internals

www.railforums.co.uk

Oh no. This is bad on many levels. For the people involved, but also because I imagine the fall-out may simply be cancellation of all services above a certain temperature threshold. Default protection.

We probably need to review the approach to tensioning. Clearly Italy (for example) is fine with a wider temperature range.

That said, if the two derailments are even suspected to be due to heat related distortion we probably do need to do something pretty reactive now, e.g. a nationwide low speed limit, at least until the temperature drops or it is proven otherwise. Both of these derailments have been of bimbly, slow commuter services and so haven't been too consequential for the staff and passengers thus far, but a similar derailment of a train travelling at 125mph would be far more consequential.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Which would be beyond ridiculous as continental Europe deals just fine on the whole with these kind of temperatures in the summer and sub-zero temperatures in the winter. Just requires some quick and proper adaptation from Network Rail if indeed the weather is to blame.

On the whole is stretching things a bit, as is the use of the word Just....

 

[Howardh]

The railway timetable runs May - December, would it be any use to change that and have a period of July/August where trains - even 125mph ones - are timetabled to go slower, maybe in areas where heat warnings are more frequent (South, East and Midlands); I remember one heatwave years ago where Virgin inter-city trundled along at a much reduced speed?

Of course as a layman I'm putting 2 and 2 (heat/rails) together.