Trams in Leipzig are largely running again

One week after tram service in Leipzig was completely suspended due to severe heat-related damage, most of the trams are running again. On Saturday, Leipzig residents were called upon for the third and final time to help scrape joint compound from the fused tracks. Trams are now running again to all parts of the city, according to the Leipzig Public Transportation Authority (LVB). However, lines 2, 8, and 12 are not yet back in service.

On June 27, tram service in Saxony’s largest city had been completely suspended. According to the LVB, extreme heat with temperatures around 40 degrees had softened the joint compound in many places along the tracks. The trams had pushed this material out and spread it across the tracks and switches with their wheels—forming a layer up to five millimeters thick. The material then hardened again, causing the tracks to stick together and also damaging the vehicles.

No trams running for days

For several days, there were no trams running at all in Leipzig. Last Tuesday, the LVB called for the first volunteer effort: Citizens knelt by the tracks with putty knives to remove the black, viscous material.

Meanwhile, a TÜV expert has begun analyzing the causes of the damage. He is taking material samples and investigating, among other things, why the joint compound melted in some places but withstood the heat in others. The findings are to be incorporated into future construction projects.