The heat wave is slowing down just about everything, including trains.
Both MARC and Virginia Railway Express have had to slow their trains on Monday because of the intense heat. The commuter systems are undergoing heat restrictions on some of their tracks, meaning trains have to slow down as a precaution.
On the Fredericksburg VRE line, riders have been delayed about 15 to 20 minutes, according to VRE. Meanwhile, CSX has ordered trains to slow down by as much as 20 mph on MARC’s Brunswick and Camden lines for the afternoon and evening trains, causing an estimated 15-minute delay.
The orders come out of concern that the 90-plus degrees will cause the steel rails to expand enough that they will cause a “sun kink” that creates a curve in what should be a straight section of track. According to VRE, an 1,800-foot length of rail can expand by nearly one foot with an 80-degree temperature flux, causing it to strain against the ballast, ties and spikes that hold it in place. Sometimes such kinks can actually be heard as they pop out of line.
Inspectors keep an eye on tracks during such periods of intense heat. The slower speeds also puts less pressure on the steel.
