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

While falling leaves are a beautiful sight in autumn, they can have devastating effects on railways.

This unwanted seasonal ritual poses a major obstacle to trains across the UK, causing cancellations and delays every year.

How dangerous can loose leaves be on the tracks? Steve Whitehead, General Manager Manager for TransPennine Express (TPE)which operates trains and stations in the north of England and Scotland, explain: “It is not necessarily difficult for trains to drive over leaves, but because trains are heavy vehicles, they crush the leaves and create 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 train drivers and drives trains himself – notes that this creates “significant problems” for train drivers, as they “need to adapt their driving technique and sometimes slow down to ensure the safety of passengers”.

He reveals that this change in driving technique “may involve adjusting the braking range and braking lighter and earlier than under normal circumstances.”

He continues: “As experienced drivers, we are always aware of the designated and known areas that can be affected by leaves on the track, but we must be prepared for any points where we may need to reduce or stop the train’s speed.”

There are also certain leaf control mechanisms in place. Paul Staples – fleet, safety and service delivery director at TPE – explains that the railway company The trains are equipped with a railhead sanding technique, where coarse sand is placed between the wheels and the rails when the trains require additional support during braking and acceleration.

This prevents the wheels from slipping or locking.

He points out that the trains also have a “Wheel Slide Prevention” system, an automatic system that detects and prevents wheel slide when braking or wheel slide when accelerating. Staples notes that ““A big help when driving on slippery surfaces.”

Trains “crush the leaves” on the tracks and “create a slippery layer on the tracks,” Whitehead explains

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

However, despite these measures, according to Paul, there are situations in which speed reduction becomes necessary. TPE warns that this may affect other services and lead to delays or changes to the timetable.

Paul explains that TPE takes additional measures to reduce these delays. He said: “We work with Network Rail who work all year round to manage the trees and plants that grow along the route so that we can minimize train delays due to leaf fall.”

To prepare for the seasonal obstacle, Network Rail is sending out “leaf shredding” trains to travel along the railway line, using a high-pressure water jet to destroy the top of the track to remove leaf mulch.

The trains also apply a gel containing a mixture of sand and steel grains to ensure the normal movement of railway wheels on the track.

In addition, Network Rail employs “leaf breaker” crews at key locations in the UK who give the rail tops a sad treatment by scrubbing by hand to ensure trains can run safely.

They also provide “vegetation management” throughout the year and monitor the trees and plants that grow around the railway lines and may pose a risk to the safe operation of the trains.

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