US cold "snap"

Clan Line

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Posts: 863

US cold "snap"

« on: January 31, 2019, 11:18:23 »

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-47066018/polar-vortex-fire-used-to-melt-ice-on-chicago-train-tracks

Hope they haven't got creosoted wooden sleepers !


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broadgage

Transport Scholar
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Posts: 5410

Re: US cold "snap"

« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2019, 12:20:07 »

It would never be allowed over here. The designer trainers worn by trespassers could be damaged !

We used to have gas heated points in the UK^▸ , and some may still exist, usually worked from propane bottles beside the track, but sometimes mains gas was used.
I don't recall the UK types producing large luminous flames, small blue flames that were not noticed unless specifically looked for.

Theft of the gas bottles was a major problem, or explosion thereof if fire broke out from some un-related cause.


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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU^▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.

Bmblbzzz

Transport Scholar
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Posts: 4256

Re: US cold "snap"

« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2019, 13:19:45 »

A quick google says the minimum temperature ever recorded in the UK^▸ was -27.2°C on 30 December 1995. Even -5 is rare enough. Somewhat different from Chicago.


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Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.

ellendune

Transport Scholar
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Posts: 4452

Re: US cold "snap"

« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2019, 19:34:32 »

We have the benefit that nowhere in the UK^▸ is very far from the sea, which removes some of the cold temperature extremes.


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Surrey 455

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Posts: 1230

Re: US cold "snap"

« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2019, 23:21:30 »

Quote from: Clan Line on January 31, 2019, 11:18:23

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-47066018/polar-vortex-fire-used-to-melt-ice-on-chicago-train-tracks

Hope they haven't got creosoted wooden sleepers !

Not sure about the US but creosote is now a banned product in the UK^▸ . An EU^» directive I seem to recall. When used to protect sheds and fences the toxic chemicals seep into the soil, into your vegetables, then onto your dinner plate. Lovely.


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JayMac

Data Manager
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Posts: 18921

Re: US cold "snap"

« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2019, 05:58:27 »

Creosote was banned for sale to the general public for amateur DIY use, across the EU^» , in 2003. Legislation that the UK^▸ government was a signatory to. It remains legal to use by professionals and industry. It is primary UK legislation that now controls its use.


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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

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