Your Evening Commute Could Be Delayed

Today's high temperatures could lead to delays for Metrolink commuters, with the transit agency warning it may have to slow trains to protect them from possible expansion of the tracks.

There have not been any immediate reports of delays on Metrolink rail lines, but the agency noted that high heat "makes the rails expand and when they expand the risk of the rail becoming warped increases. Therefore trains slow down as precautionary measures."

According to Metrolink, heat places stress on the railroad ties, ballast and anchors that keep the tracks fixed to the ground. The result can be a warping of the line, creating possible kinks.

Officials at Metro were also keeping an eye on the heat to see if there might be any impact on its rail lines.

Spokesman Rick Jager noted, however, that Metro light-rail trains travel at speeds much slower than Metrolink regional locomotives.

Jager said no "slow orders" have been issued by the agency, but that could change if temperatures "get way up there."

So far, the only change for Metro riders has been that some rail-car doors are staying closed when trains reach stations to keep the air conditioning from escaping. Riders may need to press a release button next to the doors to get them to open so they can exit the trains.

--City News Service; Image via Metrolink