Railroad tracks are made of metal, and metal can expand with heat and shrink in the cold. An extreme in temperature can cause changes in the rail that can cause train derailment.
Risk factors:
(1) inferior or brittle steel
(2) welded rails
(3) poor maintenance
(4) direct exposure to the heat or cold
In hot weather the rails may show "sun kinks" with rails twisting or buckling.
In cold weather the rails may develop a stress fracture or place stress on their retaining bolts.
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