We’re giving you the unique opportunity to name one of our leaf-busting trains this autumn.
Naming one of our leaf-busting trains
Autumn is just around the corner and the changing seasons will likely lead to even more weather chat. So, why not help name one of the leaf-busting trains that will keep Britain moving this autumn?
Send your name nominations to nametheleafbuster@networkrail.co.uk before Friday 20September or use #NameTheLeafbuster when submitting suggestions on X.
Britain’s favourite topic
Chatting about the weather is the most classic British trait, according to 68% of people surveyed by market research agency OnePoll. It’s ahead of other classics like drinking tea and respecting ‘the queue’.
Managing the railway in autumn
The nights are drawing in and temperatures are dropping so there’s bound to be plenty of discussion about the changing of the seasons in the weeks ahead. But autumn conversations never stop at Network Rail.
There are more than 13m trees on and next to our railway so tackling leaf-fall is a massive operation. Our dedicated leaf-fall teams work around the clock clearing tracks, helped by specialised leaf-fall forecasting and a fleet of multi-purpose vehicles. We treat 1.12 million miles of track – that’s the distance around the world about 40 times – between September and December.
We use tried and tested methods for keeping trains moving through autumn as well as different techniques and new technology in some parts of the country.
For example, in Scotland we’re equipping passenger trains with adhesion gel dispensers. This specialist gel helps train wheels glide smoothly along the track. We’ll also use drones to identify high-risk areas, while specially adapted Land Rovers – known as Sand Rovers – will clean and treat rails.
The danger of leaves on the line
You may think, ‘it’s just a few leaves’ but leaves on the line can cause train delays – and pose a serious threat.
The heat and weight of the trains passing over leaves can bake them into a thin, slippery layer on the rail – like black ice on the roads. This mulch can even interfere with signalling systems by forming a barrier between the train wheels and the electrical parts of the track that help us pinpoint where trains are.
But we’re offering some light ‘re-leaf’ this autumn by teaming up with railway historian and tv presenter Tim Dunn. Together, we’re offering you the chance to name one of the unsung heroes of the British autumn –a leaf-busting train.
Name the leaf-buster
You might pay tribute to a revered person or just have an ‘unbe–leaf–able’ pun but get your nominations in before Friday 20September.
Our panel of judges will shortlist entries before a public vote decides the winning name.
Lisa Angus, an industry weather response director at Network Rail, said: “Our leaf-busting trains are the unsung heroes of the British autumn and we’re excited to hear the creative naming nominations for one of the vehicles which will travel the length and breadth of the country this year to keep the railway running safely and reliably.”
Tim Dunn, a railway writer, historian and presenter, said: “This is a terrific opportunity for the public to name one of these high-tech marvellous machines so get those suggestions in now. I’m confident you can do better than my entry: ‘Trainy McTrainFace’.”
