On February 2, 2024, due to the widespread rain, snow and freezing weather in the northern region, many high-speed rail lines experienced problems such as catenary icing and switch freezing, resulting in speed limits, detours, suspension or delays in some trains, and passenger travel was seriously affected. The railway department actively responded, strengthened the inspection and maintenance of line equipment, activated emergency plans, and provided good passenger services to ensure the safety of railway transportation.
High-speed rail lines are blocked, and some trains are delayed or suspended.
According to the China Railway Group, affected by the low temperature, rain, snow and freezing weather, Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway, Zhengyu high-speed railway, Chengdu-Guizhou passenger dedicated, Dawan railway, Guangda railway, Chongqing-Guizhou railway, Xiangyu railway, Sichuan-Guizhou railway, Neiliu railway and other high-speed rail lines have catenary icing, resulting in some trains can not operate normally, in order to ensure the safety of passengers, the railway department has taken preventive measures such as speed reduction, detour, suspension and other preventive measures to actively avoid safety risks.
It is reported that the most affected is the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, at about 13 o'clock on February 2, the internal division of the Wuhan Bureau of the National Railway due to the impact of rain, snow and freezing weather, resulting in the delay of the train passing through the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway. As of 18:00 on February 2, the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway has a total of 78 trains, including 66 delayed trains, with the longest delay time reaching 9 hours and 50 minutes, and the average delay time being 2 hours and 30 minutes. In addition, 12 trains were suspended, involving Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Xi'an and other places.
In addition to the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, other high-speed rail lines have also been affected to varying degrees. There are 62 trains on the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway, Zhengyu high-speed railway, and Chengdu-Guizhou passenger dedicated lines under the management of Changsha Bureau, including 38 delayed trains, with the longest delay time reaching 7 hours, and the average delay time is 1 hour and 40 minutes. In addition, 24 trains were suspended, involving Shanghai, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guiyang, Nanjing and other places. Chengdu Bureau manages the Dawan Railway, Guangda Railway, Chongqing-Guizhou Railway, Xiangyu Railway, Sichuan-Guizhou Railway, Neiliu Railway and other lines, a total of 46 trains, including 28 delayed trains, the longest delay time reaches 5 hours, and the average delay time is 1 hour and 20 minutes. In addition, 18 trains were suspended, involving Chengdu, Chongqing, Guiyang, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Urumqi and other places.
The railway authorities have strengthened emergency response to ensure passenger services.
In the face of the challenges brought about by rain, snow and freezing weather, the railway department actively responded, strengthened the inspection and maintenance of line equipment, activated emergency plans, and provided good passenger services to ensure the safety of railway transportation.
* In terms of road equipment, the railway department has increased the inspection and maintenance of key equipment such as catenary, turnouts, signals, communications, and power supply, and removed snow and ice in a timely manner to restore the normal operation of equipment. In key premises, arrange special personnel to take care of the equipment to prevent the equipment from freezing again. In major railway trunk lines and hubs, reserve a certain number of hot standby diesel locomotives and rescue personnel to prepare for emergency rescue and rescue.
In terms of passenger services, the railway department timely releases information on passenger train delays and suspensions, and does a good job in providing passenger refund and change services. At stations and trains, ensure the basic service needs of passengers in transit, such as heating, water supply, and catering, and arrange special personnel to explain and comfort passengers to avoid panic and conflicts. In February, the railway department also reminded passengers to pay attention to weather changes and travel service information in a timely manner, arrange their trips reasonably, and avoid unnecessary losses. It is understood that the railway department will pay close attention to the weather conditions, take measures such as suspending, adding, and resuming operation in a timely manner, dynamically adjust the train operation plan, and restore normal operation order as soon as possible. Passengers who have purchased tickets for suspended trains can apply for a refund at any station or 12306 APP within 30 days (including the day) from the date of travel on the ticket, and no handling fee will be charged. Passengers who have paid in cash and have printed the reimbursement voucher shall return the reimbursement voucher to the window of the railway station with the original valid ID used when purchasing the ticket within 180 days (including the day of refund) to collect the ticket. Please do not gather at the windows of major railway stations to apply for refunds in a short period of time, so as to avoid a high concentration of people at the railway station.