TRANSLINK has reduced the speed on the Derry to Belfast train service over fears that railway tracks could buckle in the heat.
As the North of Ireland basks in the heatwave, the ground temperature is also increasing and Translink recorded a high of approximately 50C on Wednesday.
As a precaution they reduced the speed of trains on the network resulting in delays, including the Derry to Belfast service.
Translink apologised for the inconvenience and warned there could be further disruption.
The railway network in the North of Ireland is one long string of track rather than the old familiar jointed rails where you would hear the “clickity-clack” says Clive Bradberry, an Infrastructure Executive at Translink.
When the temperatures rise the railway line wants to expand as as they are welded together there is no where for the steel tracks to expand.
“It is like pushing on each end of a straw. Eventually the straw wants to move sideways and we don’t want that to happen in our track,” Mr Bradberry added.
When the rail temperature rises in Northern Ireland’s normal climate, the weight of the sleeper and the stone compacted around the rail prevents it from buckling.
With the high temperatures the railway tracks were reaching highs of approximately 50C and Translink took the decision to implement speed restrictions.
The reduced speeds are intended to lower the force exerted on the track reducing the risk of buckling.
However, the lower speeds mean there is a resulting knock-on effect on the network timetable.
Travellers experienced a delay of 10-15 minutes on Wednesday and Mr Bradberry warned that a similar speed restriction may be implemented on Thursday.
“We appreciate that people just want to get home and cool down but we want to make sure they get home safely,” he added.
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