Media centre

Monday 20 Oct 2003

NETWORK RAIL TACKLES THE LEAVES IN THE NORTH WEST

Region & Route:

Network Rail has embarked on its most extensive ever battle against problems caused by leaf fall during the autumn. An army of “leafbuster” gangs using a range of machines and materials is working flat out throughout the North West to keep train services running as reliably and safely as possible. Autumn presents railways throughout the world with a challenge, and Britain is no exception. “Leaves on the line” is the railway equivalent of black ice on the roads.  When crushed, they form a hard Teflon-like coating on the railhead that causes train wheels to slip and slide.  This results in train delays and can also damage the track and interfere with signalling systems. What was once wrongly regarded as a joke is now recognised as a serious performance and safety issue.  In this region initiatives include: ·        special “multi-purpose vehicle” (MPV) trains which have water jets which blast away the leaf coating, then lay “sandite” (a gel which improves traction for trains). Nationally trials using MPVs fitted with lasers to blast away leaves are underway ·        “leafbuster” gangs which patrol known problem areas to clear leaves and ensure the head of the rail is clean ·        train cab rides by Network Rail and contractor staff on early morning services to direct gangs to trouble spots ·        additional tree felling in areas with historical problems - more - Autumn – 2 ·        “skidpan” training for newer train drivers with little experience of autumn conditions on the railway ·        extra fixed and portable sandite machines ·        a specially adapted road-rail vehicle to lay sandite on the Windermere branch Tim Clarke, Network Rail’s North West regional director, said:  “This time of year can be problematic and we are doing are best to keep the leaf fall under control.  This is a huge task as it’s a tough job fighting against the weather but we will continue to strive for a punctual and reliable railway.             “We don’t expect the problems that leaf fall causes to be a eliminated completely but we and our industry colleagues are determined to work together to minimise the disruptive effects of the weather”.