Rail Temperature: A Critical Factor in Rail Safety

Even railways have their own kind of “summer and winter care.” But don't go reaching for moisturizers or sunscreen—this is serious business!

Let's see how PIE helps look after the tracks when weather gets wild.

Hot or Cold, Railways Feel It All

Looking after railway tracks becomes tricky when it's freezing cold or burning hot. Steel rails don't just sit there quietly—they shrink in the cold and stretch in the heat. If you don't keep an eye on them, they can snap or twist, which can lead to accidents.

Take Chicago, for example. Winters there are so cold that even penguins would need jackets! So, what do the railway teams do? They actually set the tracks on fire—yes, really—using gas heaters to stop them from pulling apart. It may sound wild, but it's been working for over a hundred years.

But hey, there's a calmer way to keep things under control. That's where PIE comes in.

PIE's PRT-01: Quick Check, Big Help

The PRT-01 by PIE is a smart little device you place right on the track. It shows you the rail's temperature right then and there. It works between -30ºC and +70ºC, and gives readings accurate to 0.5ºC. It runs on a simple button battery and shows the numbers on a small screen. Great for quick, no-fuss checks when you're out working on the rails.

PIE's CRT-2: Watching the Track, All the Time

Need a long-term watch on the rails? PIE's CRT-2 has your back. This setup records the rail's temperature every hour for up to three years. It comes with everything you need: sensor, cable, pen drive, charger, and an easy guide. Once charged, it keeps going for four days. The screen shows the numbers clearly, and it even gives you alerts when temps get too high or low. All the info can be saved on a computer, just like that.

Different Places, Different Problems

Countries like Russia and Canada use heaters and blowers to keep snow and ice off the rails. But in India, it's the heat that's the problem. The rails swell up in the summer, and if not handled right, they can twist out of shape. To fix that, railway teams in India adjust the rails back to a “neutral temperature.” This keeps them steady, even in the heat.

Why Temperature Checks Matter?

Whether it's cold enough to freeze or hot enough to fry, knowing the rail temperature keeps everything safe. Hot rails can bend, cold ones can crack. With PIE's PRT-01 and CRT-2, you always know what's happening—and you can act before it's too late.

Stay on Track with PIE

PIE(Paragon Instrumentations Engineers) gives you smart tools to stay ahead—fast checks with PRT-01, or deep tracking with CRT-2. Both are simple to use, dependable, and help you keep the trains running safely. With handy features like easy data saving and USB support, PIE makes track monitoring simple.

From frozen rails in Chicago to sun-baked ones in India, railways around the world deal with all kinds of weather. But thanks to PIE, it's easier than ever to keep things on track.

So, the next time the weather goes wild, remember—PIE's got you covered.