In the United Kingdom, CWR is stressed to 27 °C (81 °F), the mean summer rail temperature. In the US, standard stress free temperatures vary from 35 to 43 °C (90 to 110 °F).
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The critical rail temperature is the temperature of CWR at which measures to protect traffic must be taken. It depends on the actual stress-free temperature, resistance to lateral movement offered by the ballast (ballast condition), track curvature and sleeper spacing.
Even when ice glazes the landscape or temperatures dip dangerously low, railroads run 24/7. Maintaining operations in the face of Old Man Winter isn't easy, but with careful planning, experienced and dedicated crews, and specialized equipment and technology, railroads keep serving customers winter after frosty winter.
Like mentioned above, the rails aren't really affected by ice or snow. They are just chunks of metal. The biggest issue that rails face is the cold. Rails are restrained by rail anchors from expanding and contracting due to temperature changes.
Railways. Steel rails expand and tend to buckle in the heat – whatever the climate. According to Network Rail, railways worldwide are designed to operate within a 45C (81F) range, according to the local conditions.
In a survey conducted by TechnoMetrica for APTA, two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans are likely to use high-speed trains if high-speed rail were available today. This jumps to nearly seventy (67) percent when respondents were informed of the costs and time saving benefits of high-speed rail service.
April 28, 1869 – a record of 10 miles of track were laid in a single day by the Central Pacific crews. May 10, 1869 – the last rail is laid in the Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory Point, Utah. Total miles of track laid 1,776: 690 miles by the Central Pacific and 1086 by the Union Pacific.
When air temperature reaches 30°C, rails in the sun can reach 50°C. In the UK a temporary speed restriction is imposed when rails reach this temperature because trains apply less pressure on the rails when they slow down. Some railway maintenance teams paint rails white to cool them down in summer.
It's important to understand the reasoning behind stopping before a railroad track. The biggest, most important reason is this: safety. Especially for large vehicles carrying passengers or dangerous materials, this is even more important. Trains are heavier and harder to stop than even a fully loaded semi truck.