It’s just a bit of snow and ice, isn’t it?
In fact, it takes a dedicated team and special fleet to keep you moving throughout the winter.
We don’t typically get lots of extremely cold weather in most parts of Britain. But when we do, it can pose serious challenges to transport infrastructure, like roads and the railway. We’re doing all we can to reduce delays and keep you moving safely.
Responding to the challenges of winter weather on the railway
Before one winter’s over, we’re thinking about the next. We plan ahead for snow, ice, floods and wind (as well as sudden changes between them) to keep your journeys on time and safe.
- In very cold weather, snow and ice can build up on the tracks blocking points, the equipment that allows trains to move between tracks.
- Ice can coat the electrified third rail and overhead power cables, preventing trains from drawing the power they need to run and leaving them stranded.
- Icicles on tunnels, bridges and other structures can also damage trains and overhead power cables.
- In very snowy weather where snow lies deeper than 30cm, trains can’t run safely unless they have been fitted with snow ploughs.
How we plan ahead to minimise disruption
We work all year round so that we can run a safe and reliable service in winter.
Before winter
We do everything we can to minimise delays by preparing effectively. This includes:
- Cutting back overhanging trees that could be affected by high winds or snow.
- Pre-preparing contingency timetables with train companies.
- Using detailed expert weather forecasts to create localised action plans. These forecasts don’t just cover the weather but tell us how conditions will impact the specific railway infrastructure. Our network of hundreds of monitoring stations then provides us with realtime weather data, enabling us to respond to conditions as they develop.
During winter
To help keep passengers moving we operate a special winter fleet, complete with snowploughs, hot air blowers, steam jets, brushes, scrapers and anti-freeze to clear snow and ice from the tracks.
We use technology, such as visual and thermal imaging from our helicopter and drones, to help us identify issues before they become a problem and respond as fast as possible.
When snow is forecast we work with train operators to fit snow plough attachments to the front of passenger trains. Our winter timetables also allow empty passenger trains, known as ghost trains, to be run overnight to keep the tracks clear of snow and ice.
Thousands of our people also work around the clock in all weathers, monitoring, maintaining and repairing the tracks so that we can run a safe and reliable service for passengers.
Find out more about our seasonal track treatment and weather support fleet
How we respond to adverse and extreme weather
Our priorities for how we run the railway change depending on the severity of the weather.
Check your train is running on time
We can’t change the weather, but it can change your plans. Check your train is running on time by visiting National Rail oryour train company’s website.
Related pages
FAQs
During winter
Does ice and snow affect trains? ›
The answers to your questions are yes and no. A little ice on a rail can be overcome with sand but heavier ice conditions can cause slippage of a working locomotive and even sand tain't gonna help.
Do trains get cancelled in snow? ›
Trains can still run during wintry conditions, but snow and ice can pose risks. They can build up on the tracks blocking points - the equipment that allows trains to move between tracks.
What is the critical rail temperature for network rail? ›
Because rails are made from steel, they expand as they get hotter, and can start to curve this is known as 'buckling'. Most of the network can operate when track temperatures heat up to 46°C – roughly equivalent to air temperature of around 30°C – but rails have been recorded at temperatures as high as 51°C.
Do Amtrak trains run in the snow? ›
When winter weather makes other modes of transportation tough, Amtrak works around the clock to monitor snowfall events and keep the trains running. Here are the six key factors for how Amtrak keeps the trains running, even through the snow.
How do train tracks not freeze? ›
During the heaviest snowfalls, railroads deploy rotary snow plows with large spinning blades that dig into snow and throw it off the tracks. Railroads also use specialized heaters that prevent switches from freezing so trains can move from one track to another.
Do trains ever get stuck in the snow? ›
But a combination of drifting snow, which reduced traction on the rails, and a snow slide brought The City of San Francisco to a wheel-grinding halt 13 miles west of Norden. The train was stuck.
Will snow derail a train? ›
It will depend on the initial momentum of the train (speed and/or weight) and what type of snow. Powder, like skiers love, will basically blow away. The opposite type is a hardpacked drift in a shallow cutting. The latter has been known to to derail a train, which then stops really quickly.
Are train tracks heated? ›
During cooler weather, rails are heated to what is known as the “rail neutral temperature” (RNT) and then allowed to cool to ambient temperature after installation.
Are trains affected by the weather? ›
The forecasted weather may cause the following issues:
Flooding can affect points, which allow trains to move from one line to another, and electrical systems. High winds can mean trains have to run at slower speeds then usual to operate safety.
Track maintenance practices address the high thermal load problem by anchoring the rail at (neutral) temperature of 95 -110 F. This high neutral temperature range prevents the generation of excessively high buckling forces even when the rail temperatures reach 130 -150 F.
What is the destressing temperature of rail? ›
Rail destressing must be performed when the rail's temperature is at or below 38C – so the work is very weather dependent.
How do you check the temperature of a rail? ›
The cavity is filled with mercury and sealed. The rail piece containing the thermometer is exposed to the same conditions as the rails in the track. The temperature recorded by the thermometer at that time is the rail temperature. It takes about 25-30 min. to record the rail temperature.
Can trains run in snow and ice? ›
One way railroads combat these dangers and safety hazards is leveraging locomotives equipped to mitigate them: air dryers to keep brake systems from freezing, heated headlights that melt snow and ice, and automatic start-stop systems and auxiliary power to keep engines warm even when they're powered down.
How much snow to cancel Amtrak? ›
Any snow storm big enough that normal cars can't get through will shut down or delay all transportation.
What is the most scenic train ride in the US? ›
1. The Grand Canyon Railway. The Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona, offers a historic and nostalgic journey through an otherworldly desert landscape. It doubles as one of the most unique ways to experience one of the world's most iconic natural wonders, the Grand Canyon.
Do trains get affected by ice? ›
In very cold weather, snow and ice can build up on the tracks blocking points, the equipment that allows trains to move between tracks. Ice can coat the electrified third rail and overhead power cables, preventing trains from drawing the power they need to run and leaving them stranded.
Can a train go on ice? ›
Like driving on icy roads, acceleration and braking are much harder on icy tracks. In fact, it's even more difficult on the railway because the train wheels and rail are both made of steel. This means wheels can slip because it's harder to get the friction needed to accelerate or brake.
