History
January 2009 heatwave
A closer look at one day of cancellations and the railway’s exposure to sustained high temperatures.
28 January in the case study
The federal adaptation study records 43°C and at least 58 cancellations on 28 January. It describes problems across track and operations. A day-specific count is a different measure from cancellations across the entire heatwave or all cancellations in January.
How heat can disrupt a railway
Thermal stress can affect track and the performance of rolling stock and electrical equipment. Speed restrictions, inspections or withdrawals may reduce the capacity available to run the timetable. Passenger crowding can then spread the effects beyond the location of the initial problem.
What the records can tell us
The case study focuses on adaptation to weather. The Auditor-General’s performance review describes a broader picture that includes patronage growth and capacity. Read both when assessing which problems were specific to the heat and which predated it.