Train driver Peter Clarke

Train driver Peter Clarke on how trains are affected by leaves on the tracks

Transcript

00:00As the rail industry works hard to keep trains moving during the autumn, it can be a really

00:14challenging time as thousands of tonnes of leaves fall on the railway line.

00:20When leaves land on the railway line, and combined with rain and the effect of heavy

00:24trains passing over them, it creates a slippery Teflon-like surface that reduces the grip

00:31that trains have on the track. So even our skilled drivers need to refine their techniques,

00:36such as braking earlier, to ensure that the service runs safely.

00:42Sometimes we have to slow trains down. Slippery rails mean that drivers have to brake earlier

00:48in order for the train to stop safely at the right place. So that can cause delays and

00:53disruption.

01:00As a driver, you need to be aware of the adhesion risks in whichever season that you're in,

01:05because it can happen all year round. When you've got leaves on the line, you can have

01:09problems both accelerating and braking. You need to be aware. We check at the start of

01:16our day the board that shows us, in the various regions we drive through, what the leaf status

01:22is that day. You can start to brake a bit earlier than you normally would if you feel

01:26that you need to, and you drive that day, you'll get a feel for what adhesion issues

01:31are like on the line, and brake earlier if you need to. And just use everything that

01:38you've been taught in training to make sure that you stop correctly at your stations.

01:46Safety and comfort of our customers and colleagues is of paramount importance to us, so even

01:53during the difficult autumn leaf fall season, we must ensure that trains run safely and

01:58smoothly.

01:59Our trains are equipped with rail head sanding technology, which applies a coarse, gritty

02:03sand to the surface of the rail to help trains get a better grip during acceleration or braking,

02:09which help prevent the wheels from sliding or locking up. The trains also have a wheel

02:14slide prevention system, which help prevent wheels from sliding during braking and spinning

02:18during acceleration. This is a great assistance when driving in slippery rail conditions.

02:23And the simulator machine is one of the best ways to get real life experience of how those

02:27conditions can feel.

02:29Despite these measures, there are circumstances where speed reductions become necessary. This

02:33can have a knock-on effect on other services, causing delays and cancellations.

02:38If you're travelling this autumn, we ask that you stay informed and check your journey before

02:41you travel on our website, as there could be disruption during the autumn.