New footage has been released by Northern showing the cutting-edge technology they are testing that blasts leaves from the path of their trains.
(Permalink) Leaves Northern

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

Sheffield University engineers say pellet-blasting system removes leaves more efficiently and will reduce delays. Dry ice will be blasted on to railway lines in northern England in a trial aimed at removing leaves more efficiently than current methods. University of Sheffield engineers have developed a leaf-clearing technique that will be 'trialled' by the train operator Northern on a passenger service in the coming weeks. [Dry Ice has been used in Scotland since 2020. -RS]
(Permalink) Dry Ice Leaves Leaves on the line Northern

The new method of removing leaves from tracks will be 'trialled' across northern England in the coming weeks. [Dry Ice has been used in Scotland since 2020. -RS]
(Permalink) Dry Ice Leaves Leaves on the line Northern