Luxembourg: why there could be more breakdowns on trains and trams
By Ninon Oget
Published on
Between heat waves and drought, temperatures were particularly high throughout the summer in France but also in Luxemburg.
In addition to major fires such as in Lorraine or impacts on the environment, this heatwave episode can also have effects on railway infrastructure.
For example, Luxembourg MPs explain in a parliamentary question that trains can no longer run in England due to the deformation of the tracks due to the great heat. A phenomenon that can be found in Luxembourg?
Increased monitoring in the face of heat
According to the Grand-Ducal Minister for Mobility, François Bausch, the deformation of the tracks due to the heat “occurs on average once a year “.
But to mitigate this phenomenon which “will continue to increase in the years to come” according to the parliamentarians, the minister explains that “in addition to the normal inspections of the track, due to the high temperatures, additional track inspections are performed to identify and address any weak points.
The rails are welded in such a way that there is a balance between low temperature tensile forces in winter and high temperature compressive forces in summer. […] The monitoring of rail temperatures is carried out digitally using fixed installations distributed over the network. When renewing the tracks, concrete crossings are systematically inserted because they offer better stability.
A breakdown on the tram cannot be ruled out
As for the tramway, the rails “are on a vegetated or mineralized platform”. Thus, “only the upper running surface of the rail is exposed to the sun”, explains the minister.
Nevertheless, he specifies that a “risk of deformation of the rail can never be completely excluded”. It is for this reason and to reduce the risks that a “maintenance preventive is performed for all systems.
Heat weakens overhead lines
Finally, beyond the ground, François Bausch explains that the overhead lines could be particularly supported by a heat wave, so much so that breakdowns are not excluded.
” Due to heat and some dilation as a result, the overhead line may be weakened. In addition, the energy supply systems represent a risk”, declares the Minister of Mobility.
Despite everything, the latter wishes to reassure: “These are, for example, in the case of the tramway, in big buried party and are therefore not affected by a heat wave”.
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