Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
SBB recorded 97 heat-related track deformations in summer 2026
Swiss Federal Railways recorded 97 heat-related track deformations during the hot summer of 2026, almost four times the previous year’s number.
Extreme heat can make steel rails expand, and pressure can cause tracks to bend sideways.
An ETH rail expert warned that severe deformations could cause derailments, though the SBB says its figures show no effect on safety.
The SBB says it monitors tracks with inspection vehicles and other checks, and reports safety-related incidents to the federal transport office.
The railway is using maintenance and track-building measures to help rails withstand higher temperatures, and set up a taskforce to consider extra steps during the exceptional heat.
It tested white paint to reflect sunlight, but found its cooling effect faded as the rails became dirty, so it is still assessing whether the coating could help in selected places.
SBB recorded 97 heat-related track deformations during the hot summer of 2026.
The company said the number was almost four times higher than in the previous year.
SBB said the increase did not affect safety and that its monitoring and maintenance measures allow it to intervene in time.
ETH rail infrastructure expert Patrick Braess warned that deformations could lead to derailments and called for systematic data collection.
SBB said it had set up a task force during the exceptional heat and is relying on longer-term track measures.
- Who
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) recorded the deformations; ETH expert Patrick Braess warned about the risks.
- What
- SBB recorded 97 heat-related track deformations. Braess warned that severe deformation could cause a derailment.
- When
- During the hot summer of 2026.
- Where
- On the SBB network in Switzerland.
- Why
- Extreme heat causes steel rails to expand, which can create pressure and deform tracks.
SBB
Patrick Braess
Safety risk
SBB
SBB said the higher number of deformations did not affect safety and that its monitoring was sufficient for timely intervention.
Patrick Braess
Braess warned that deformations could cause derailments and said waiting for an accident was potentially fatal.
Monitoring and reporting
SBB
SBB said it regularly inspects tracks and reports safety-relevant incidents to the Federal Office of Transport.
Patrick Braess
Braess said incidents should be systematically recorded and followed up.
SBB recorded 97 heat-related track deformations during the exceptionally hot summer.
SBB set up a task force to consider additional measures if needed.
SBB tested painting rails white but later decided against the method because the paint became dirty too quickly.
The reports on the SBB track deformations and the warnings about derailment risks were published.
- Track deformations
- 97 recorded by SBB
- Comparison
- Almost four times the previous year's number
- Previous-year network estimate
- Around 150 across the wider Swiss rail network, according to Braess
- White-paint cooling
- SBB tests initially achieved an average cooling effect of around 4.5 degrees
- Alternative rail measure
- Rhätische Bahn and Zentralbahn reported rail temperature reductions of five to seven degrees from white paint
3 sources
What people are saying
If a derailed wagon even slightly enters the adjacent track and an oncoming train crashes into it, the damage can quickly become enormous.
These data should be systematically recorded and followed up.
At some point something will go wrong – simply waiting until something happens is potentially fatal.