Train tracks catch fire in London due to high temperatures

On July 11, train tracks caught fire on a bridge in London, England, after a spark ignited wooden beams, causing services between the Victoria and Brixton lines to be suspended amid rising traffic. temperatures in the city.

Steve White, managing director of the Southeastern Railway, shared an image of the fire through his Twitter account. In addition, he expressed his thanks to the railway company and the London Fire Brigade for responding quickly to the incident:

Thank you to @NetworkRailSE and the London Fire Brigade for responding promptly to a lineside fire this morning and allowing services to safely resume to Victoria 👇 pic.twitter.com/9ZYibliuyF

— Steve White (@SteveWhiteRail) July 11, 2022

Thanks to Network Rail Southeast and the London Fire Brigade for promptly responding to a fire on the line this morning and allowing services to safely resume to Victoria.

In response to White’s post, the rail company shared another image of the fire, emphasizing that the heat “is going to be a serious challenge for all of us this week,” with Network Rail warning that trains may have to run. slower due to high track temperatures.

You’re most welcome! This heat is going to be a serious challenge for all of us this week. pic.twitter.com/B70RtTMDsO

— Network Rail Kent & Sussex (@NetworkRailSE) July 11, 2022

According to the newspaper UK SubwayAmong the services already affected by high temperatures are West Midlands Trains routes between Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Kidderminster, where speeds have been reduced from 60 to 20 miles per hour.

Additionally, the company is monitoring a number of locations and may impose further speed restrictions to reduce the risk of lines buckling under additional pressure in the heat.

According to the railway company, it is believed that the fire originated because the wheel beams of the bridge were “very dry”, as a result of the lack of rain and “although we do not know for sure, it is possible that a stray spark have turned them on.”

Network Rail went on to say that an inspection had “approved the line fit to operate”. However, it said it would investigate whether the tracks needed to be replaced in the wake of the incident.

Forecasters have forecast high temperatures of 33°C in some areas for this week. Central, southern and eastern England will experience the highest temperatures during the current heatwave sweeping the country.