Leaf-fall season brings difficulties along with substantial disruption for rail operators in the UK each year as leaves stick to damp rails which are compressed by trains leading to a smooth, extremely slippery layer which reduces the train’s ability to grip.

Northern is using impressive new technology to its CAF fleet of trains in order to beat the difficulties created by falling leaves with drivers now able to track how the train is moving.

The cutting-edge system will pick up on tiny slips and slides made by the train as part of its mapping system which is then shared with drivers, giving them advanced warning of any potential difficulties. The information is also being shared with Network Rail, which clean the tracks.

Some areas which have been flagged so far, for tricky conditions, include between:

• Horsforth and Harrogate
• Earlestown and Huyton
• Guiseley and Ilkley

Northern is currently in the testing stages of ‘rail head treatment technology’ which is fixed beneath all of its passenger trains and, if it proves successful, could lead the rail industry to save millions of pounds each year.

Rob Cummings, seasonal performance manager at Northern, said:

“Slippery rails are a massive problem for the rail industry, and we are playing a big part in resolving this issue.”

“This is just one of the many cutting-edge ways Northern is battling autumn conditions to make sure our customers can get to their destinations on time, even when the weather is against us.”

Sunday the 10th of December will see Northern introduce changes to its timetable as part of the National Rail Network timetable change. The rail operator is advising customers to use the ‘Check My Timetable’ facility on the Northern website to find out if any of the changes will affect their journeys.