Poland’s Rail System Collapses Under Record Heat as Trains Vanish

Extreme Temperatures Warp Tracks, Buckle Rails in Nationwide Shutdown

Poland’s rail network ground to a halt on June 29, 2026, as temperatures soared to 38°C (100.4°F), forcing the cancellation of more than 250 trains. PKP Intercity, the national operator, reported that 128 trains failed to depart from Warsaw alone, while regional carriers like Koleje Wielkopolskie confirmed infrastructure failures across the country.

Steel tracks expanded under the relentless sun, creating dangerous gaps and buckling rails. “Some sections of track have exceeded safe operating temperatures,” PKP Intercity told Next Gazeta.pl, calling the failures “critical.” Koleje Wielkopolskie blamed “warmer-than-usual conditions,” though officials acknowledged aging signaling systems made the crisis worse.

Warsaw Central Station Becomes a Human Traffic Jam as Passengers Stranded

At Warsaw Central Station, queues stretched over 500 meters as stranded travelers waited for information. Emergency repair crews worked around the clock, but officials warned some routes could stay closed until temperatures drop.

The chaos forced PKP to reroute passenger trains through freight corridors and pull extra rolling stock from reserves. Yet no timeline for recovery exists—officials cautioned that cancellations will continue if temperatures stay above 35°C.

Emergency Funding and Long-Term Questions as Climate Pressures Grow

The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure has pledged funding for rapid repairs, but the crisis has exposed deeper flaws. PKP has suspended non-essential maintenance to focus on track fixes, while experts warn of more extreme heat to come.

Travelers are advised to check PKP’s real-time updates before planning trips—alternative transport like buses and private cars are already seeing record demand.

Sources

• PolsatNews.pl: Ponad 250 odwołanych pociągów. Paraliż na kolei po rekordowych upałach
• Interia.pl: Pogoda paraliżuje kolej. Problemem nie tylko gigantyczne opóźnienia, pasażerowie na granicy
• Next Gazeta.pl: PKP odwołuje pociągi. Winna infrastruktura kolejowa. Jest reakcja przewoźnika
• Koleje Wielkopolskie: Utrudnienia związane z warunkami atmosferycznymi