Heat on the Rails: How Serbian Railways Survive Sun Kinks and Temperatures up to 60 Degrees

Heat on the Rails: How Serbian Railways Survive Sun Kinks and Temperatures up to 60 Degrees

When summer hits with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius, and the rails themselves reach a scorching 60 degrees, Serbian Railways don’t just sit back and sweat it out. Nope, they’re on high alert! Yes, you read that right – 60 degrees on the rails! This isn’t just a number; it’s a serious hazard that can cause what’s called “sun kinks” – a real railway nightmare.

What Are Sun Kinks and Why Are They Dangerous?

Sun kinks aren’t a new summer jam; they’re a phenomenon where extreme heat causes the rails to deform. Imagine the tracks literally bending under the pressure of the heat. This can lead to major traffic problems and even accidents.

How Is Serbia Fighting This Problem?

Serbian Railways Infrastructure isn’t twiddling their thumbs. They’ve taken a bunch of preventive steps to keep trains running safely even in the hottest weather. Here’s what they do:

  • Increased monitoring and inspection of tracks. Track inspectors walk 15 to 20 kilometers daily to check the rails’ condition.
  • Specially assigned supervisors patrol the sections to ensure infrastructure integrity.
  • Based on past experience, train speeds are reduced on critical sections prone to sun kinks.
  • Expert teams are ready to quickly fix any rail deformations.

The Toughest Summer Job: Track Inspectors

Imagine walking 15 to 20 kilometers every day on scorching hot asphalt, but worse – on rails that are as hot as an oven. That’s exactly what track inspectors do. Their job is to thoroughly check the entire route and make sure everything is safe. Without them, trains could be in serious danger.

Train Speeds and Safety

To prevent accidents, train speeds are lowered on certain sections during summer. It’s not to slow you down, but because safety comes first. Sun kinks can cause deformations invisible to the naked eye but deadly if not addressed promptly.

Emergency Repairs and Maintenance

When problems arise, Serbian Railways’ experts quickly organize repairs on tracks and overhead lines. The goal is to fix heat damage fast and keep traffic flowing smoothly. All this happens in record time because nobody wants trains stuck due to heat.

Why Does This Matter?

Imagine you’re heading to the beach, and your train stops because the rails gave way to the heat. No wonder Serbian Railways put so much effort into preventing this. These measures aren’t just technical; they’re about passenger and cargo safety.

Conclusion

Summer heat isn’t just a challenge for us humans; it’s a battle for infrastructure too. Serbian Railways show it’s possible to handle extreme conditions, but it takes hard work, dedication, and caution. Next time you ride a train on a hot day, remember all those who walked miles to keep your journey safe.

So, what do you think? Is this enough, or should the railways get even more high-tech to survive the summer? Drop your thoughts, crack a joke, or just vent – after all, sun kinks aren’t just a problem for rails, but for our nerves when we’re late for vacation!

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