Yahoo News De-icing trains being deployed across UK amid cold snap
De-icing trains are being deployed to keep rail services moving amid a cold snap in the UK.
Train companies including South Western Railway will run empty trains throughout the night to help keep tracks clear.
White trains will be fitted with snow ploughs which can clear up to eight inches of snow.
The move is part of a number of measures by Network Rail to keep the rail lines running as the UK is hit by snow.
Rail services were suspended last year when the UK was hit by the “beast from the east.”
This year, Network Rail will be operating a special winter fleet with snowploughs, hot air blowers, steam jets and anti-freeze.
Over 100km of heating strips have been fitted to prevent ice building up on conductor rails which power trains in the south and south east of England.
However they warned that trains “might have to slow down” when conditions are “very serious.”
Andy Thomas, managing director of strategic operations at Network Rail said: “We work closely with train operators to minimise any impact on passenger services during winter weather such as snow and ice.
“Key sections of track are fitted with heaters and insulation to help stop them freezing, and empty trains can be run through the night to help keep tracks clear. We have extra teams of people on the ground to respond to incidents and carry out regular inspections of our infrastructure.”
The Met Office has issued an ice warning for the majority of England and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.
This ice warning also reaches up into southern Scotland, while a further warning of snow and ice has been issued for the rest of Scotland including Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.
A painfully low temperature of minus 3.4C was recorded at Great Dun Fell in Cumbria overnight as many places dropped to freezing or lower.
