Swiss Rail Uses Firefighting Trains to Cool Overheated Tracks

Swiss Rail uses firefighting trains to cool rails during extreme summer heat and prevent dangerous track deformations caused by thermal stress. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Soaring temperatures can heat rails to over 60°C, creating pressure in welded tracks without expansion gaps. These tracks are firmly attached to sleepers and compacted ballast, which restricts movement.

As the metal expands, stress builds. If lateral shifts exceed 50 millimetres, the track becomes unstable, raising the risk of derailment and safety hazards.

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Swiss Rail Responds to Summer Heat With Firefighting Trains

Swiss Rail installs tracks at a carefully calculated Stress-Free Temperature (SFT), ensuring stability through seasonal changes. In warmer countries, SFT is higher, but in Switzerland, ballast and sleepers play a bigger role.

Despite varying climate conditions, Swiss Rail experiences only 3 to 7 heat-related deformations annually. These sun kinks are usually detected by drivers, who report sudden jolts to maintenance teams.

When overheating is detected, firefighting trains with 45,000-litre water tanks are dispatched. Their role is to reduce the rail temperature, stabilizing it until full repairs are performed.

How Swiss Rail Maintains Safety Amid Rising Temperatures?

This cooling method is temporary but effective. It minimizes the risk of damage spreading and allows for controlled intervention by repair crews.

Swiss Rail emphasizes that heat-related disruptions have not increased in recent years. The company attributes this to regular maintenance and swift response strategies.

In some Alpine areas, tracks were painted white to reflect sunlight. However, Swiss Rail discontinued this practice after testing showed limited benefits across the wider network.

During heatwaves, another precaution is to lower train speeds. While it slows operations, it helps reduce pressure on overheated rails and increases passenger safety.

By investing in prevention, Swiss Rail protects infrastructure and ensures service continuity during extreme summer conditions.

Source: lenews.ch

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