Heat Damage: Leipzig Trams Fully Operational Again from Thursday

Leipzig's trams are set to return to normal operation this Thursday, ending an eleven-day disruption caused by severe heat damage. The extreme temperatures, reaching around 40 degrees Celsius, softened the compound used in rail joints. This softened material was then pushed out and spread across the tracks and switches by the tram wheels, forming layers up to five millimeters thick.

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After eleven extraordinary days, the normal state will apply again.

As the compound hardened, it fused the rails together and damaged both the tracks and the trams themselves. The Leipzig transport authority (LVB) reported that approximately 30 kilometers of contaminated tracks have been cleaned, and 150 switches have been repaired. This extensive repair effort was a significant undertaking, involving around 1,500 employees from LVB and the Leipziger Gruppe, along with 550 volunteers.

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An enormous feat of strength, which around 1,500 employees of the LVB and the Leipziger Gruppe, as well as 550 volunteers, accomplished together. We greatly appreciate the commitment and thank you sincerely.

To understand the exact cause of the failure, the LVB has commissioned an expert assessment from TÜV Süd Rail. Looking ahead, the LVB is developing several options to manage future heatwaves. These may include watering the joints, cooling the tracks with water, temporarily removing individual lines from service, closing routes, or diverting buses away from the rails. The authority stressed that with high summer still ahead, maintaining safety and preventing further damage means restricted traffic remains a possibility. A long-term heat management plan is also in development.

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The high summer is yet to come. To ensure safety and avoid damage, the scenario of restricted traffic remains an option.