From the Evening Standard, London:

Heatwave Still Hitting Rail Services
5 August 2003

More travel chaos is expected with soaring temperatures expected to force speed restrictions across Britain’s rail network for a second day.

It is expected to get even hotter with temperatures soaring up to 34C (93F) and nudging record 100F levels by Wednesday, according to forecasters.

It will mean the imposition of 60mph speed limits on trains for the second day running – and leave more commuters hot and bothered.

The speed safety limit has been forced on the train companies by Network Rail.

It is feared the high temperatures could heat steel rails so much they could buckle and cause derailments.

The restriction will stay as long as the heatwave continues.

Passengers were left waiting on platforms and scanning departure boards as the restrictions caused delays

Weathermen said high pressure is sitting right over the UK so high temperatures — and speed restrictions, are again expected across Britain.

While there will be some isolated scattered showers the vast majority of the country will be dry, hot and sunny. Only along the coast will the weather be cooler.

The west coast mainline and the cross country network were among the hardest hit by the restrictions, with some of the long distance services halved to just one an hour.