Can trains and trams run when it's too hot?

Rail passengers have been warned to expect disruption on Monday and Tuesday due to the heatwave. A weather warning for extreme heat is in place from Sunday morning until midnight on Tuesday with temperatures over 35C expected.

People are being urged to only travel by train on those two days if absolutely necessary due to the high temperatures. Network Rail have said the extreme heat will lead to cancellations, delays and last-minute alternations.

While trains can run in extreme heat - the high temperatures can cause problems with rails and overhead lines. Network Rail they will introduce speed restrictions on lines across the country to ensure the safe running of trains during the hot weather.

READ MORE: Met Office issues first EVER red weather warning for 'extreme heat'

Gary Walsh, Network Rail route director, said: “The railway in this country is simply not engineered to run normally in such extreme temperatures.

“We’ve got extra teams out around the route, ready to respond to any incidents, but with temperatures set to break all records, we need to also reduce the speed at which trains can run.

“This reduces the risk of tracks buckling in the heat and also means that when the overhead line expands it won’t get tangled on passing trains.”

Network Rail, which operates 20,000 miles of track across the UK, advised people in England and Wales to only travel “where necessary” and said that journeys would take “considerably more time”.

TransPennine Express (TPE) has urged anyone taking essential journeys on these days to pack water and sun cream.

Operations director at TPE Kathryn O’Brien said: “With weather warnings in place between Sunday and Monday and a number of speed restrictions planned to be imposed on Monday and