Did you know that thousands of tonnes of leaves fall onto the railway during the autumn season? This can be as dangerous to trains as black ice on the road is for cars. Network Rail have shared how they manage the railway during the autumn weather:
Video credits to Network Rail
Build up of leaves on the track is one of the main problems during this season. Layers of leaves can build up and form a slippery layer on the rails. This is dangerous as it can make it harder for trains to accelerate and brake properly.
There are more than 13 million trees along the railway here in Britain, so managing the leaf-fall is a big operation. Trains often have to pull out of stations and travel more slowly when the rails are slippery, which can lead to longer journey times and delays.
Network Rail also operate a fleet of ‘leaf-busting’ trains, which travel around the railway cleaning the top of the rails, by spraying it with a high-pressured water jet to blast away leaf build-up. These trains also apply a gel, which contain a mix of sand and steel grains, to help the train wheels run along the tracks as they normally would.
In conclusion, the efforts to manage leaf-fall on the railway are crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency during the autumn season. KITE Projects contribute to this effort, by supplying safe access points for Network Rail workers, to gain access to the track. These access points ensure that workers can inspect and maintain the tracks safely, reducing the risks associated with slippery rails.
A special thanks goes out to all the dedicated individuals who regularly inspect and maintain the tracks, ensuring that our railways remain safe and operational. It is the collaboration across the industry that truly helps to keep the network moving.