Greater Anglia and Network Rail unite to tackle Autumnal elements
The two organisations work together annually to minimise how its effects train performance and scheduling
Greater Anglia and Network Rail are joining forces to tackle the autumnal elements.
They'll be working to clear leaves off tracks and maintain good levels of grip and traction for trains.
Martin Beable, the chief engineer of Greater Anglia told me that leaves can be surprisingly hazardous for drivers:
"They are like black ice to cars, you apply your brakes and the car doesn't perform in the way you'd expect it to. When leaves fall off the trees and get crushed by on-coming trains, it has exactly the same effect".
Nevertheless, he went on to say that Greater Anglia and Network Rail are well prepared for the job at hand:
"We have our very own sand machines fitted to the trains, that drop a little bits of sand between the track and the train wheel, to try and make sure the grip remains as good as it can".
"There's been some sensible cutting back of trees from Network Rail, that they done do Autumn. They also have a fleet on rail-head treatment trains, they are trains fitted with high pressure water pumps that are designed to blast the crushed leaves off the track".
He concluded by saying that Greater Anglia are looking to repeat their great success of last year:
"Last year our minutes of delay and cancellations were down by 82% and 95%. So its proof that the new trains are having a great effect on our railway and that all the other work we're putting in is having a positive effect"