A fleet of leaf-busting trains are now blasting leaves off the line to help keep passengers and freight moving across the network this autumn.
(Permalink) Leaf train RHTT

While many trees were felled to prevent leaves on the line, Network Rail is now trying to treat them as assets. Trees and railways have never really got on with each other. In the days of steam engines, trees alongside railways were cut down to prevent engines sparking fires. Once steam engines were scrapped, the vegetation grew back and more than 6m trees became established alongside Britain's rail network. However, every autumn led to leaves on the line disruption and trees sometimes toppled on to railway tracks in high winds. There led to intense criticism of Network Rail, which then felled many trees, destroying valuable habitats. Three years ago, John Varley published Valuing Nature, an independent review of how Network Rail manages its vegetation. This recommended that trees and plants growing beside the railways should be treated as assets not problems.
(Permalink) Fallen tree Leaf train Leaves Network Rail Trees

Scotland's Railway has launched one of its biggest autumn treatment programmes to keep tracks free of leaves and debris and make sure passengers stay on the move this autumn.
(Permalink) Leaf Train MPV

Our teams across Scotland will be working hard over the next three months to keep tracks clear of leaves and debris and keep our customers moving this autumn.
(Permalink) Autumn Leaf train MPV RHTT

Use of cryogenics will see dry ice pellets fired onto the rails causing leaf mulch to crack and break away.
(Permalink) Autumn Dry Ice Leaf train MPV RHTT

Network Rails fleet of 61 leaf-busting trains and 80 leaf-busting teams are being readied to help tackle the annual blight of leaves on the line and keep passengers moving safely and reliably over autumn, as today (1 October) marks the first day of the railways autumn season.
(Permalink) Autumn Leaf train MPV RHTT