Croatian Railways Announces Train Delays Due to Heat
Due to extreme temperatures causing rail expansion, HŽ Infrastructure is intensifying track inspections and introducing temporary speed restrictions, which will affect service regularity.
Due to extreme temperatures causing rail expansion, HŽ Infrastructure is intensifying track inspections and introducing temporary speed restrictions, which will affect service regularity.
Train passengers will need to arm themselves with patience. HŽ Infrastructure announced on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, possible train delays due to enhanced monitoring and safety measures implemented during the current heatwave. They emphasize that the safety of passengers and cargo is an absolute priority.
HŽ Infrastructure explains the physical issue behind the decision. Rails are made of metal that expands when heated. Because modern rails are typically welded into a single piece, this expansion creates significant internal forces. During summer heat, the rail temperature in direct sunlight can be significantly higher than the air temperature, exceeding 60 degrees Celsius.
When combined with other adverse conditions, this can sometimes lead to track buckling. According to HŽ Infrastructure, there is no specific temperature that triggers deformation; it depends on how hot it is and the condition of the track.
Therefore, during periods of extreme temperatures, enhanced track inspections are conducted. As soon as any issue is detected, safety measures are immediately taken, usually speed reductions or complete closures until the defect is repaired. These temporary speed restrictions are what can cause train delays.
When asked about specific sections where deformations have been recorded during this heatwave, HŽ Infrastructure did not highlight new problem areas. They say these issues can occur on any track but are more common on sections that have not been recently renovated.
In addition to monitoring existing tracks, construction and renovation works are also being adapted. Heavier physical work is carried out during cooler parts of the day, mainly to protect the health and safety of workers. When installing rails, special attention is paid to their temperature during welding and installation, in accordance with internal regulations and technical specifications.
HŽ Infrastructure states that these are standard preventive safety measures and asks passengers for understanding. "The safety of passengers and cargo is always an absolute priority," they conclude.
