Chicago train tracks put on fire to beat freezing cold; See Pics

Dramatic pictures of railway track on fire in Chicago have gone viral on social media and has garnered worldwide attention. ​​​​​These small fires being lit on railway tracks for a cause - to avoid train derailment caused by metal deformations and for the smooth railway operation during the freezing temperatures.

Dramatic pictures of railway track on fire in Chicago have gone viral on social media. ​​​​​Netizens are widely circulating pictures and videos of this phenomenon and it has garnered worldwide attention. Credit: Reuters Photo

Small fires being lit on railway tracks in Chicago during the freezing temperature so that they don’t freeze in these harsh winter conditions. It might look risky, but flames have kept switches moving and rails intact for over a century. Credit: Reuters Photo

This phenomenon is regularly used to avoid train derailment caused by metal deformations and for the smooth railway operation during the freezing temperatures. Credit: Reuters Photo

This process is completely safe as the trains run over the flames and didn’t catch fire because of the diesel fuel in the trains

Extreme cold weather can cause steel to contract, causing breaks on train tracks and to avoid this official put the train tracks on fire. This prevents train derailment caused by metal deformations. Credit: Reuters Photo

Metra, a commuter rail system, also took to their Twitter and shared a video showing flames coming from train tracks in Chicago. Credit: Twitter/@Metra

Due to the extreme weather conditions, the railroad system in the US has been affected widely. Over a dozen of trains passing through Chicago are either cancelled or delayed. Credit: AFP Photo

American Midwest is reeling under extreme cold wave that has brought down the mercury levels much lower than Antarctica. Credit: AFP Photo