Weather stations to monitor conditions

A network of new hi-tech weather stations was put into action for the first time during the mini-heatwave on June 16-17, to reduce delays across Network Rail’s North West and Central region.

The £1.3 million system of 60 solar-powered weather stations was installed last year to monitor extreme conditions in real-time, so that rail staff could avoid imposing region-wide speed limits.

Hot weather, particularly direct sunlight, is known to cause track temperatures to reach more than 50°C. This is because steel rails absorb heat easily and therefore tend to hover around 20° above the ambient air temperature.

When the rails become very hot the steel expands and can bend, flex and (in serious cases) buckle. Overhead line equipment is also susceptible to the same forces, causing them to sag.

By using the new technology, NR says its teams are ready to respond to any issues caused by heatwaves and impose speed limits only where they are needed.

The weather stations can also measure wind speed and direction, humidity and rainfall.