Due to the current high temperatures, it can be up to 20°C warmer in the spores. The rails, the ballast (the pebbles under and between the tracks) and the concrete sleepers store that heat. But tracks in Belgium are adjusted to a temperature of 25 degrees. Brutal changes in temperature can cause the tracks to deform — and in extreme cases, to sway — preventing trains from running safely.
Fortunately, this is rather exceptional, Infrabel assures. The sleepers absorb most of the forces when a track expands due to the heat. For safety reasons, Infrabel sends maintenance teams to check the tracks.
In addition, high temperatures can also cause problems on the sensors (so-called track circuits, axle counters and pedals) that are in the track and that detect the position of a train. But with this weather there is also a chance of difficulties for the overhead lines, which creates a risk of short circuit.
To guarantee safety, Infrabel launched the heat plan with a series of preventive measures. This includes control of the tracks, switches, catenaries, air conditioning of electrical installations and data centers, and identification of fire-sensitive railway verges.