Reverse-flow northbound Manassas Line trains 336 and 338 are canceled today, July 27, due to heat-related speed restrictions on Norfolk Southern.
Update: Reverse-flow northbound Manassas Line trains 336 and 338 are canceled today, July 27, due to heat-related speed restrictions on Norfolk Southern.
Original details (if applicable): VRE has been notified that heat-related speed restrictions will take effect today, July 27, on Norfolk Southern starting at 2:00 p.m. Manassas Line trains will not be permitted to exceed 25 MPH on Norfolk Southern territory (south of Alexandria). We expect delays for Manassas Line trains south of Alexandria, and we may need to make schedule adjustments. More information to follow.
Heat restrictions are issued by the host railroad to reduce train speed over a given section of track. Steel rails expand as a result of high temperatures and/or rapid temperature variation and may cause the rail to buckle or cause a “sun kink.” The slower speeds reduce train forces to prevent buckling, helping keep everyone safe.
Temps were cooler when you were younger, check it out on the Internet on a historical weather site. I think we are in uncharted territory as far as the weather is concerned now. I am a volunteer on a large subdivision HOA, our CCTV and our flourescent tube lights used to not operate well above 100 degrees outside. Replaced the flourescent lights with LEDS. CCTV usually goes out when thermometer hits 98 or 99 degrees in the direct sun…they are cheap cameras though so that could be part of the issue.
Also, when I was a kid most of the rail network was 39 foot sections of rail. Heck I still remember the steam generators Amtrak used to lug around.
In today’s welded rail, the only joints that are left are Insulated Joints needed for signal operation and/or crossing protection operation.
While welded rail may get laid in nominal 1320 lengths, once the rail is in place forces come along and weld up all the joints between insulated joints.
Do UP and BNSF constantly reduce speed limits in the desert southwest during the summer because of heat?
Growing up in northern Illinois I can remember heat waves, pulling weeds in 98 degree temps with oppressive humidity. Media never talked about heat index. Only concern was about heat stroke. I’m just tired of the media not doing their fundamental job and instead sensationalizing.
Heh, is the risk the same? How many built up urban areas are there in the desert with families and kids? What about buildings and structures? What is the cost of a potential derailment in the desert compared to the areas heavy with passenger trains?
Also, I suspect the temp in the desert is largely factored into the rail infrastructure. I am sure sun kinks happen in the desert but just not with the same frequency as where the temps are well above normal…like on the East Coast.
Perhaps your memory is a bit off. I can recall John Coleman on Eyewitness News 7 giving the that metric in the 70s at least.
“THI stood for Temperature-Humidity Index, which was used in the 1960s to quantify discomfort using temperature and dew point. An index of 70 or lower meant everyone was comfortable. At 71, 10% of the populace was deemed uncomfortable, 50% at 75 and 100% at 80. When the THI hit 84, federal workers in non-air conditioned offices were dismissed. The current heat index was introduced in the early 1980s, replacing the THI. It is a single, “apparent or feels like temperature” —how hot the air feels at a given temp and dew point or relative humidity.” [Tom Skilling, Aug. 2921, WGN.]
Today’s heat index is nothing mroe than THI given another name - it is still calculated of temperature and humidity. Local TV weathermen all start to get ‘hot to trot’ when both the temperature and humidity get above 70. When that happens the Dew Point starts getting into the 70’s and higher.
When NBC purchased The Westher Channel is when they started making a panic out of the weather and how many million of people were experiencing the current extreme conditions.
The heat we have experienced in the Mid-Atlantic so far this year, from my sweat analysis has b
I was thinking of the 60’s. We didn’t have Chicago TV reception then. Just Rockford channels with Rolie Sponberg and Bob Kevern. Weather map presentations used magnet frontal boundaries and smiley suns.
Skilling on Channel Nine specifically stated the THI started in the 60s. In the 50s we had Clint Youle on NBC and PJ Hoff, “The man in charge of looking out the window” on CBS. Different era for sure.
Appears bothCrescents will not operae south of ATL tomorrow Tue Aug 1.
As of 9:26 am ET, Due to extreme heat order speed restrictions, Crescent Train 19, which is scheduled to depart New York (NYP) on 7/31, will now terminate in Atlanta (ATL). Alternate transportation between Atlanta (ATL) and New Orleans (NOL) will be provided.