Leaves on the line, the wrong type of snow – British travellers have heard every excuse in the book for transport delays. At Tube Lines, we can’t promise to eliminate problems but we do work hard to significantly reduce them. We have introduced new ways of working to help keep our lines running reliably, even when the temperature drops. Some of the most important devices for keeping the system running are heaters which stop the moveable parts of points on overground sections from freezing, which would prevent London Underground and us from deciding which direction to send a train. Despite its name, 60% of the London Underground is actually overground.
Leaves on the line, the wrong type of snow – British travellers have heard every excuse in the book for transport delays. At Tube Lines, we can’t promise to eliminate problems but we do work hard to significantly reduce them. We have introduced new ways of working to help keep our lines running reliably, even when the temperature drops.
Some of the most important devices for keeping the system running are heaters which stop the moveable parts of points on overground sections from freezing, which would prevent London Underground and us from deciding which direction to send a train. Despite its name, 60% of the London Underground is actually overground.
In autumn, before the risk of freezing temperatures arises, we switch all of the heaters on and commission a specially-equipped helicopter to fly over all of our lines. Thermal imaging cameras highlight warmer areas in white – see the photo – so we can quickly check if a heater has stopped working properly and fix it. Traditionally this checking was done manually by people walking along the tracks, so work had to begin far earlier in order to finish before winter set in. The new method is quicker, more accurate and much safer. When freezing conditions or snow are forecast, special plans kick into action. Night work is cancelled and the electricity in the rails is left on when the last passenger train has departed. “Sleet” trains then run throughout the night spreading anti-icing agents and sweeping the rails with metal brushes. These ensure that snow and ice don’t build up when the Tube is closed so that services can resume as normal in the morning. Every train is fitted with “sleet” tools so when London starts freezing during passenger hours, similar clearing is undertaken. Tube Lines has also invested in a pair of snow ploughs which fit to Schoma locomotives (special engineering trains) for even more severe weather conditions. While trains clear the tracks, cleaning staff work to keep platforms safe and relatively slip-free. Some passengers may wish they had an excuse for staying tucked up under the duvet on the coldest winter mornings but Tube Lines does what it can to ensure they can travel around London, no matter what the weather.
In autumn, before the risk of freezing temperatures arises, we switch all of the heaters on and commission a specially-equipped helicopter to fly over all of our lines. Thermal imaging cameras highlight warmer areas in white – see the photo – so we can quickly check if a heater has stopped working properly and fix it. Traditionally this checking was done manually by people walking along the tracks, so work had to begin far earlier in order to finish before winter set in. The new method is quicker, more accurate and much safer.
When freezing conditions or snow are forecast, special plans kick into action. Night work is cancelled and the electricity in the rails is left on when the last passenger train has departed. “Sleet” trains then run throughout the night spreading anti-icing agents and sweeping the rails with metal brushes. These ensure that snow and ice don’t build up when the Tube is closed so that services can resume as normal in the morning.
Every train is fitted with “sleet” tools so when London starts freezing during passenger hours, similar clearing is undertaken. Tube Lines has also invested in a pair of snow ploughs which fit to Schoma locomotives (special engineering trains) for even more severe weather conditions.
While trains clear the tracks, cleaning staff work to keep platforms safe and relatively slip-free. Some passengers may wish they had an excuse for staying tucked up under the duvet on the coldest winter mornings but Tube Lines does what it can to ensure they can travel around London, no matter what the weather.