ÖBB links heat waves to rise in train failures

Heat waves are contributing to a rise in railway overhead line faults, Austria’s national railway operator ÖBB told ORF. A technical defect on Tuesday evening stopped a train on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn, and 41 people had to be brought to safety.

ÖBB said the current heat waves were likely contributing to the increased number of overhead line failures. Not all temperature-related damage can be detected early, despite regular inspections and maintenance.

The overhead line system is designed for ambient temperatures between minus 30 and plus 40 degrees Celsius, including heating caused by traction current. However, high temperatures mean the system reaches its limits more often.

Materials expand as temperatures rise. The differences between minimum temperatures at night and maximum daytime temperatures therefore create additional mechanical stress. Over several years, this can lead to fatigue fractures in individual components.

A similar incident occurred in mid-July, when problems with a pantograph on a Railjet train led to an evacuation in Prinzersdorf. About 500 passengers were brought to safety.