Network Rail has begun its autumn offensive against leaves on the line in North West England.

A fleet of six specialist trains began their work yesterday (Sunday 1 October) and will continue throughout the season during which trees shed their leaves, until mid-December.

The trains wash leaf debris from the region’s track (up to 106,162 miles of it) using high pressure water jets, and then apply a gel containing a mix of sand and steel grains to the rails, which helps passenger and freight train wheels grip the tracks.

The operation is run from Network Rail’s seasonal delivery depot at Wigan Springs Branch, and the total miles of track treated will be the equivalent of going more than four (4.263) times around the equator.

Leaves create problems when they stick to damp rails and are compressed by moving trains into a thin, black layer which can affect trains’ braking and acceleration, similar to the effect of black ice on the road. Leaf mulch build-up can also stop on track sensors from working, impeding the ability of control rooms to know where exactly trains are located, and so causing delays.

Dave Shawcross, Network Rail seasons delivery manager, said: “Leaves on the line are a big problem for the railway. It disrupts services and inconveniences people’s journeys and every year, Network Rail and train operators work together to battle against the elements to get passengers and freight to their destinations”.

“We are ready to keep people and goods moving across all major North West rail routes, running a safe and reliable service for our customers this autumn.”