the.com/hydronic rail heaters
a plumbing system for train tracks, keeping switches ice-free by brute thermal bribery.
means a network of heated fluid circulating through pipes beneath railway switches to melt snow and ice so the moving parts still move.
from adapted from hydronic radiant floor heating, itself borrowed from ancient roman hypocaust systems that piped hot air under floors; railways realized the same trick could stop a switch from freezing solid and derailing a train.
fluid usedglycol water mix, like antifreeze for tracks
alternative methodelectric heating elements, pricier to run
failure costone frozen switch can halt entire rail lines
heat sourceoften gas boilers or waste heat recovery
for instance
amtrak northeast corridor — uses hydronic systems at key switches from boston to dc
swiss federal railways — deploys them in alpine passes prone to deep freeze
london underground — tests hydronic heating to cut electric switch heater costs