Heatwave July 2022

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Things have held up pretty well so far, and (perfect BBQ weather notwithstanding!), I think people will need to be sensible and understanding over the next few days.

Personally I was supposed to have F2F meetings in London early next week but have moved them all to Teams/Zoom.

Stay safe folks.

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, I’m sure we will see quite widespread disruption, especially on Monday when it looks like the 40 degree barrier could well be broken in London and possibly elsewhere - comfortably beating the current UK^▸ (United Kingdom) record.

Might make climate change flavour of the month again mind you, especially if there’s a significant death toll amongst the elderly and also pets and other animals.

[broadgage]

Any reasonable person would expect rail disruption in the expected conditions. My perennial complaint is about disruption during MODERATLY adverse weather.

The forecast temperatures are truly extreme and might well set new records.

Many large London terminals become uncomfortably warm in normal Summer weather and may become dangerously hot in heatwave conditions. I here suggest several ways to reduce the problem.

1) Most retail outlets on stations are air conditioned, as are staff facilities. In many cases the air conditioning equipment rejects the heat to the concourse thereby making it even hotter. I would prohibit any new installations of this type. All new air conditioning equipment must be of a design that removes the heat entirely from the premises, to the outside air

2) When significant volumes of hot water are needed for toilets, catering outlets, and staff facilities, this should be produced by heat pumps that cool the concourse air as they heat the water. Such equipment is readily available and will work more effectively in a hot station than it will outdoors.
Explore the possibilities of using heat pumps to make hot water for nearby hotels or hospitals. Free station cooling !

3) When a glazed roof needs renewal or major repairs, fit semi transparent solar modules instead of plain glass. This reduces solar gain and the electricity produced will displace increasingly expensive grid power.

4) General energy saving measures in both retail units and in areas used by the railway. This is increasingly important with todays energy prices, but remember that all common uses of electricity turn it into heat. Less power used=less heat produced.

[JayMac]

I was planning to go on a mini break somewhere by rail on Sunday for a few days. I've decided to heed the advice not to travel unless necessary. My main concern was Finn. There would've been too much of a risk of him overheating.

[TaplowGreen]

I was planning to go on a mini break somewhere by rail on Sunday for a few days. I've decided to heed the advice not to travel unless necessary. My main concern was Finn. There would've been too much of a risk of him overheating.

Could try Finland instead? (..........I would get my coat, but it's too hot)

[froome]

I wouldn't be surprised if there were many in the south-east who decided to flee the expected heat and head to the far west or north, and by doing so, overwhelmed both the railways and roads.

[TaplowGreen]

First of many I would imagine?

Cancellations to services between Didcot Parkway and Oxford

Due to a rail buckling in the heat between Didcot Parkway and Oxford the line towards Oxford is blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or running non stop between Didcot Parkway and Oxford. Appleford, Culham and Radley will not be served. Disruption is expected until 12:00 16/07.

[IndustryInsider]

First of many I would imagine?

Cancellations to services between Didcot Parkway and Oxford

Due to a rail buckling in the heat between Didcot Parkway and Oxford the line towards Oxford is blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or running non stop between Didcot Parkway and Oxford. Appleford, Culham and Radley will not be served. Disruption is expected until 12:00 16/07.

Quite probably.  Though it was only for a short time with normal working now resumed.  Another occasion where the new bi-di signalling between Didcot and Oxford came in handy during the closure of the Oxford bound line as at least one train ran through on the other line in the 'wrong' direction.

[rogerw]

I was planning to go on a mini break somewhere by rail on Sunday for a few days. I've decided to heed the advice not to travel unless necessary. My main concern was Finn. There would've been too much of a risk of him overheating.

Could try Finland instead? (..........I would get my coat, but it's too hot)

i know from personal experience that Finland was pretty hot at the beginning of the week

[TaplowGreen]

I was planning to go on a mini break somewhere by rail on Sunday for a few days. I've decided to heed the advice not to travel unless necessary. My main concern was Finn. There would've been too much of a risk of him overheating.

Could try Finland instead? (..........I would get my coat, but it's too hot)

i know from personal experience that Finland was pretty hot at the beginning of the week

I wasn't being entirely serious 

[JayMac]

Finland has it all.

[bobm]

I’m heading to the Isle of Wight where hopefully the sea air will be make it slightly less warm.

[broadgage]

I’m heading to the Isle of Wight where hopefully the sea air will be make it slightly less warm.

Coastal and island locations will almost always be cooler in heatwaves than inland locations. The sea is cooler than the land and air is thereby slightly cooled by passing over the sea. The sea temperature around the Isle of Wight is probably about 15 degrees, much cooler than the air.

In very cold winter weather the position is reversed, very cold air is slightly warmed by passing over the sea which cant be colder than about 3 degrees below zero and is unlikely to go below about 10 degrees.

This is why the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) has a milder climate than other inland places at similar latitudes. The expected temperature of 40 degrees in London is very hot, but a bit less hot than North Africa and Southern Europe over which the air passed on its way to us.

[REVUpminster]

At Paignton yesterday the station staff were loading bottles of water (about 48 shrink wrapped) into the drivers cab of a local train in case of passenger and crew need. Don't know where the water came from unless the 24hr shop opposite the station.

[TaplowGreen]

Latest advice - they've got the date wrong but I guess it's the thought that counts!