While extreme heat has become a relatively new challenge for European railways, high temperatures have long been part of everyday railway operations in Central Asia. However, the summer of 2026 once again demonstrated that even infrastructure designed for hot climates requires additional safety measures.
In Kazakhstan, air temperatures in the southern regions regularly exceed 40°C, while rail surface temperatures can climb significantly higher. During the summer season, the national railway operator intensifies infrastructure monitoring by increasing track inspections, continuously monitoring rail and overhead line temperatures, and introducing temporary speed restrictions on heavily used sections whenever necessary. In 2026, the primary focus was not on passenger services but on ensuring the uninterrupted operation of freight corridors linking Kazakhstan with China, Uzbekistan, and the Caspian region.
The growing volume of international transit traffic has placed additional pressure on the railway network. In 2026, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to increase the capacity of the Saryagash–Syrdarya railway corridor, one of the key links in the North–South International Transport Corridor and routes connecting Central Asia with China. As a result, heat-related speed restrictions have the potential to affect not only passenger services but also the delivery times of containerized and export freight.
In Uzbekistan, heat-related safety measures have been part of railway operations for several years. When rail temperatures reach critical levels, the national railway operator imposes temporary speed restrictions to prevent track deformation and ensure passenger safety. The company also warns travelers that journey times may increase due to lower operating speeds and that air-conditioning systems onboard some trains operate under maximum load during periods of extreme heat.
High-speed rail services are particularly sensitive to elevated temperatures. Uzbekistan operates Central Asia’s largest high-speed railway network, including the Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara corridor and the recently extended line to Khiva. Because maintaining track integrity is critical for high-speed operations, train speeds may be temporarily reduced even on modernized infrastructure during periods of exceptionally high temperatures.
Overall, Central Asia’s experience shows that adapting railway infrastructure to extreme heat is no longer a temporary response but an essential part of daily railway operations. Enhanced track monitoring, advanced diagnostic technologies, and flexible speed management help maintain operational safety. However, these measures often come at the cost of longer journey times and reduced capacity on some of the region’s busiest transport corridors.