Why do trains have to stop in heavy rains?

Question

Is it just visibility or more?

Answer 1

they cant see if there are people or cars on the rails so they don't won't

to people in trouble

Answer 2

They don't stop unless the heavy rain has washed out sections of line or bridges. This happened to the Severn Valley Railway in the UK but within a year, it had recovered.

Answer 3

I agree with the other responses: it's rare for a train to stop because of heavy rains, although an order might be issued restricting their speed.  An exception would be a hurricane or a tornado, which usually pack heavy rains together with heavy wind.  If a hurricane is expected through an area, the train might be cancelled.  If tornado warnings are issued for an area, the radio dispatcher will likely tell the train crew to stay at the nearest area that offers some protection.  If winds are heavy enough, it's possible that cars could be toppled off of the track.

Answer 4

Where I live on the BNSF Transcon we traverse numerous bridges and such, we have to stop if the measured rain is falling at a rate of 4" per hour or more due to these bridges. The visibility is bad, but nothing compares to going 70 mph through the fog. There are certain areas on my line that have "washout protection" or a signal that's connected to the CTC circuit that will trip the signals if the water gets higher than a sensor placed under a structure that could possibly washout, such as a bridge. thus preventing us from going across said structures. We very rarely have to stop but ther is times that we do thanks to that sensor

Answer 5

i work for the railroad and this is the first time i hear that a train stops because of heavy rain i think that is not true it only stop if there is  wash out on the track other wise it keep on rolling

Answer 6

We don't stop for heavy rain unless there is a report of a washout on the tracks.They will issue us a train order telling us that heavy rain is expected in a location.When they issue that order we have to approach bridges and culverts prepared to stop in case there's a problem.

Answer 7

Track washouts are one danger,but if the water is over 2inches about the top of the rail, it can get sucked into the traction motors and cause shorts.....

Answer 8

they dont

not where I work anyway

unless the rain is so heavy there is a concern about flooding and tracks washing out

the rain itself will not bother a train, only the track structure if there is flooding