Heat's Hidden Threat: Railway Safety in a Scorched Summer The UK's sweltering heatwave has brought its share of weather related woes, but two train derailments in under 24 hours have raised concerns about the resilience of our railways to extreme temperatures.
Network Rail acknowledges "exceptional challenges" presented by the heat, but it's not just a matter of coping with conditions – it's about understanding what those conditions reveal about the fabric of our rail network.
The derailed trains near Lewes and Wickford have sparked speculation about track buckles caused by steel rails expanding in the heat.