I’m an operator – here’s why it’s harder to work with leaves on the line (and how we work around it)

While falling leaves may be a beautiful sight in the fall, they can wreak havoc on railroad companies.

This unwanted seasonal ritual is a major obstacle to trains across Britain, leading to cancellations and delays every year.

How can loose leaves on the tracks be dangerous? Steve Whitehead, Chief Driver Manager for TransPennine Express (TPE)which operates trains and stations in the north of England and Scotland, explains: ‘It is not necessarily difficult for trains to run over leaves, but because trains are heavy vehicles, they crush the leaves creating a slippery layer on the tracks.

“This Teflon-like surface that forms on the train tracks looks like black ice on the road.”

Whitehead – who both assesses drivers and drives trains himself – notes that this poses ‘significant difficulties’ for train drivers as they ‘have to adapt their driving techniques and sometimes slow down to ensure passenger safety’.

This change in driving technique, he reveals, “may involve adjusting the braking area and braking lighter and earlier than you would under normal circumstances.”

He continues: ‘As experienced drivers we are always aware of the named and known areas that may be affected by leaves on the line, but we must be prepared for any locations where we may need to reduce the speed of the train or stop. ‘

Certain foliar control mechanisms are also present. Paul Staples – Fleet, Safety and Service Delivery Director for TPE – explains that the railway company trains are equipped with railhead sanding technology, where coarse sand is placed between the wheels and the rails when the trains need extra grip during braking and acceleration.

This helps prevent the wheels from slipping or locking.

He notes that the trains also have a ‘Wheel Slide Prevention’ system, an automatic system that detects and prevents wheel slip during braking or wheel slip during acceleration. Staples notes that this ‘of great help when driving in slippery conditions’.

Trains ‘crush the leaves’ on the tracks, ‘creating a slippery layer on the tracks,’ Whitehead explains

TransPennine Express trains are equipped with railhead sanding technology, which applies coarse sand between the wheels and rails when the trains need extra grip during braking and acceleration

Despite these measures, however, according to Paul, there are circumstances in which speed reductions become necessary. TPE warns that this could have a knock-on effect on other services, leading to delays or changes to the timetable.

Paul explains that TPE is taking extra measures to reduce these delays. He says: ‘We work with Network Rail, who work all year round to manage the trees and plants that grow along the track, so that we can minimize train delays due to leaf fall.’

In preparation for the seasonal obstacle, Network track sends out ‘leaf-breaking’ trains, which run along the railway tracks and destroy the top of the rail with a high-pressure water jet to remove the leaf mulch.

The trains also apply a gel with a mixture of sand and steel grains to keep the train wheels moving normally on the track.

Not only that, Network Rail employs ‘leaf breaking’ teams at key locations in Britain to hand scrub the tops of rails with a sad treatment to ensure trains can run safely.

They also provide year-round ‘vegetation management’, monitoring the trees and plants growing around railways that could pose a risk to the safe operation of trains.

Staples added, “The safety and comfort of our passengers is of the utmost importance, and we must ensure a safe and smooth travel experience, even during the challenging fall season.”

During the fall, TPE advises travelers to stay informed and check their details website for updates prior to their trip.