JOHN GLOVER reports on a Permanent Way Institution seminar examining climatic and meteorological challenges

The varying climate in the UK poses challenges for permanent way engineers. From the heat of summer to winter snow, the nation’s rail network is expected to stay resilient and keep passengers moving.

Within this challenge is maintenance of different assets through varying environmental and traffic conditions. These issues were examined in a technical seminar held by the Permanent Way Institution in London on 23 May 2018.

SPRING

During a Manchester spring, you may get all four seasons in one day, explained Jennifer McKinney of KeolisAmey Metrolink. That means rain, wind and sunshine, plus snow and ice. Monitoring the weather is an extremely important task. Rain can bring the risk of flooding and sunshine problems with rail buckling, while snow and ice must be dug out of grooves in the rails provided for on-street running.

Collaboration with operators is important. New equipment with new technology also needs to be taken on board, such as road-rail vehicles with snowploughs attached. Communications are key, whether for advance weather planning and task execution, utilising asset management systems, …