Rail passengers are experiencing further disruption on Friday, after Thursday’s extreme heat brought parts of the network to a halt.
Network Rail warned passengers to check before they travel with some told to stay home altogether.
The Rail infrastructure operator said its engineers continue to work to resolve various heat-related problems, but that there will be a reduced service for East Midlands Trains and Thameslink passengers.
It ‘strongly advised’ passengers on Midland Main Line to consider alternative travel arrangements and only travel if their journey is absolutely necessary. Thameslink also 'STRONGLY' advised passengers not to travel.
Nick King, network services director at Network Rail said: ‘There were a number of heat related incidents across the railway on Thursday 25 July. Our teams have been working flat out to fix the issues, however we are sorry that disruption is likely to continue into the morning (Friday 26 July).
‘We are advising passengers to check with their train operators or the National Rail Enquiries website before travelling.’
Network Rail said teams of engineers had worked overnight to repair damage at several locations which caused significant disruption to passengers and journeys as temperatures rose in excess of 35°C across the country.
It said that track temperatures rose to up to 20°C higher than the air temperature and overhead power lines had caught fire.
These lines are made from steel, which expands and sags in the heat sag. When the cables hang too low they can get caught on trains and become damaged.
Network Rail said Thursday saw significant disruption on the route between Sheffield and London St Pancras International via the East Midlands and Bedfordshire. Trains had to run at reduced speeds, which also meant a reduced service.
There were also multiple incidents on the route, including problems with overhead line equipment on the line between Kentish Town and West Hampstead and a fire near the railway in West Hampstead.
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