The arrival of autumn means that fleets of Network Rail’s special ‘leaf-busting’ trains are setting out on their journeys today.
They will travel for a total of 6,200 hours – the equivalent of 36 weeks – in their annual bid to keep railheads clean, because fallen leaves create a black film, rather like dry ice, which can make it difficult for trains to stop and also cause damage to motors if the wheels slip.
The special trains use high-pressure jets of water to remove the leaves and then coat the railheads with a gritty gel designed to improve adhesion.
Some operators will be announcing ‘leaf-fall’ timetables, in which journey times are lengthened slightly to take the condition of the rails into account.
Network Rail’s North West seasons delivery manager Louise Tilly said: ‘While leaves on the line might not seem like a major concern, this is a problem that causes disruption and inconvenience for passengers and freight trains every year. Our fleet of leaf busting trains cover a huge area of the railway blasting leaves off the tracks and laying down a traction gel to help trains travelling in these difficult conditions.}
‘We are always planning three seasons in advance for potential problems on the railway, from flooding and ice to extreme heat and autumn conditions.’
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