Travel disruption to be minimised, de-icing trains deployed across UK

Monday, January 21, 2019

 During the cold weather conditions in the coming weekend, special snow-busting trains will be deployed across the UK to minimise the travel disruption.

Widespread travel chaos is expected as the Arctic temperatures will be sweeping the country.

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A winter fleet will be operated by the Network Rail, it will have train fitted with snowploughs, hot air blowers, steam jets, brushes, scrapers and anti-freeze  that cam clear eight inches of snow from the train tracks.

Apart from this there will be other measures introduced during the winter and the Network Rail staff would be monitoring tracks to clear snow and ice from junctions.

Train companies will be operating empty trains through night to help keep tracks clear and to prevent snow blowing  on the tracks routes having the maximum risk of snow disruption were fitted with fences.

To prevent ice building up on the conductor rails powering trains in the south and south-east of England, where one can find the UK’s busiest train routes.

There were further warnings by Network rail that that during bad weather, low temperatures could also cause tracks to freeze up.

Andy Thomas, managing director of strategic operations at Network Rail mentioned that they were working closely with train operators to lessen the impact on passenger service during winter weather such as snow and ice.

To help stop freezing key sections of track are fitted with heaters and insulation while empty trains can run through the night to maintain a clear track. Extra people were deployed on the ground to respond to incidents and keep a check on the infrastructure.

In case of severe conditions , trains might have to stop similar to the car so that everyone can go where they want.

Robert Nisbet, regional director at the Rail Delivery Group stated that when cold weather strikes, rail staff work around the clock to keep customers moving and ensure they can continue to travel by train where possible.

Customers should check before they travel even though train companies were working together with Network Rail to help them.

There was  chaos for UK travellers during March 2018’s Beast from the East when motorists were stranded in their cars, rail services were cut and airports cancelled flights.

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