Wrong Kind of Sun

Rush hour commuters endured train delays and cancellations yesterday as rail bosses blamed the hot weather for the affected services, with passengers sweltering in crowded carriages on the warmest day of the year.  They were informed that rains would have to go more slowly as overheard wires had overheated.

Journeys on National Express East Anglia routes between London and Norwich were held up for up to an hour after speed limits were cut from 90 mph to 60 mph with further trains from Liverpool Street to Chelmsford, Southend and Norwich having speed limits reduced to 80 mph between 11:00 and 17:00 then cut to 60 mph in the evening.  Queues quickly built up at Liverpool Street as passengers waited in the heat to get on board.  Commuter campaign group TrainRage said:

"Today’s incompetence is yet another kick in the teeth for commuters.  In winter, they couldn’t run trains properly because it was too cold, now, in summer, they can’t run trains because it is too hot."

The speed restrictions were introduced to prevent trains getting tangled up in sagging overhead wires. Other routes with more modern adjustable wires were not affected.  Engineers are only two years into a £200million, five-year upgrade to replace the 1940s-era cables on the East Anglia line.


Only in England, eh?