How weather affects the railway

The hot weather can also affect the rails, which can expand, bend and even break in the heat. On hot days, rails in direct sunshine can be as much as 20°C higher than the temperature of the air.

We sometimes have to slow down trains to reduce pressure on parts of the line, which can disrupt services.

What we’re doing: Network Rail is on the case, and regularly repairs rails before the start of summer.

More information on how Network Rail are managing buckled rails can be found on their website.

Can’t stand the rain? Getting soggy or soaked to the skin is bad enough, but heavy rain can also lead to flooding and delays.

Flood water can damage equipment and cut power to the train, or wash away ballast (crushed stone) and weaken the track.

What we’re doing: Network Rail has flood defence teams and pumping stations ready to respond to any flood warnings. It has a programme of works aimed at flood prevention, for example by clearing drainage ditches and lifting up low-lying sections of track at risk from flooding.

Fog can make it harder for our drivers to see signals, so they have to slow down to keep you safe. 

What we’re doing: We’re moving towards a new signalling system for inside the train cab, so our drivers won’t have to rely so much on outside signals.

Strong winds can blow branches, trees and debris onto the train track and pull down overhead power lines.

What we’re doing: Network Rail teams regularly inspect and clear the side of the track. And they’re reducing the gaps between the supports for overhead power lines in windy areas.

Thousands of tonnes of leaves fall onto the railway lines each autumn. These leaves are compressed by passing trains to create a thin, slippery layer on the rails, so drivers have to brake earlier when approaching stations and accelerate more gently to avoid wheelspin. The leaf mulch can also insulate the 'third rail' that our trains draw their power from.

Find out more about the impact of leaves on the line, and what Network Rail are doing to help keep the trains running.

UK train services are vulnerable to snow and icy weather conditions because they draw power from a third rail running alongside the track.

When the rails are covered with a layer of ice it can act as an insulator, making it difficult for the trains to draw power and move.

We work with Network Rail to do what we can to stop the ice forming in the first place. We run de-icer trains and 'ghost' trains (empty trains) throughout the night to try to stop the ice from forming, but despite our best efforts, ice will form in freezing temperatures and trains sometimes become stuck or fail.

Find out more about the impact of snow and ice on the railway, and what Network Rail are doing to help keep the trains running.

Some like it hot, but it can sometimes be too much if you’re travelling in the summertime. 

While it’s very hot it’s worth carrying a bottle of water around with you when you travel.

If the heat gets to you, ask us for help at the station. 

What we’re doing: Luckily, most our trains have air conditioning. We’re also bringing in brand new air-conditioned trains on more of our routes over the next two years.