Rail chaos is set to grip London's Euston station this week as Network Rail slashes train services due to fears that scorching heat will buckle the tracks, causing a potentially catastrophic "sun kink" scenario. The drastic measures come as the UK prepares for an unprecedented 40C temperature record.
The extreme heat has prompted the Met Office to issue a rare red weather warning, with forecasters predicting record-breaking temperatures in parts of England and Wales on Wednesday and Thursday. The rail network is particularly vulnerable to such conditions, with steel rails expanding up to 11mm per kilometre for every degree Celsius rise in temperature.
Experts warn that even small increases in ambient and solar radiation can put tracks under immense stress, leading to buckling and potentially catastrophic failures. "It's not just about reducing speeds," explains Professor Xueyu Geng, an engineering expert at the University of Warwick. "We must take precautions to prevent sun kink from occurring in the first place."
Trains will operate on reduced timetables, with speed restrictions imposed as a structural necessity to prevent track deformation. Network Rail has warned that this will lead to longer journey times and increased risk of delays and cancellations across the network.
Gary Walsh, director for Network Rail's West Coast South route, is urging customers to plan ahead, check their journeys, and stay hydrated if travel is unavoidable. Euston station has been equipped with two new water fountains to help passengers cope with the heat.