Leaves on the line? Meet man responsible for keeping rails clear

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As autumn arrives, so too does the dreaded phrase “train cancelled due to leaves on the line.” Rob Cummings, Northern’s seasonal performance improvement manager, is responsible for ensuring railway lines are free of fallen leaves. He combines high-tech and more traditional solutions to prevent delays, including water, sand, and even lemon juice. Cummings has spent a decade in his unusual role and understands the seriousness of the issue: leaves on the line pose a safety risk and can compromise train performance. While the phrase is often treated as a joke, Cummings is passionate about ensuring trains run to time, particularly as Northern has experienced several well-publicized problems.

As England’s weather varies dramatically throughout autumn, Cummings requires a range of tools to tackle leaves on the line. Northern trains have double variable rate sanders, which deploy sand onto rails to increase friction and remove leaves. There is also technology to prevent wheels from locking while the train moves. In addition, Cummings has equipment to blast water onto the track, which mimics heavy rain and helps to remove leaves. Despite the extra efforts, the issue remains a significant problem for train operators.

While leaves are certainly a cause for concern, it is worth noting that train operators face numerous seasonal challenges. Cummings must also prepare for high temperatures in summer and snow in winter. Last year, Northern experienced 100 delay minutes due to heat, but the figure rose to 5,000 due to floods and fallen trees. Cummings recommends a defensive driving approach for autumn journeys, advising drivers to pull away more gradually and brake earlier to ensure trains stop in time.

In conclusion, while the phrase leaves on the track is often treated as a joke, it can be a serious safety and performance issue for the railway. The person responsible for ensuring that trains run to time in the face of adverse weather conditions is the seasonal performance improvement manager. Reliance on high-tech and traditional solutions, including water, sand, and lemon juice, amongst other things, is necessary to combat the issue. As a driver, a defensive driving approach is essential during autumn to ensure journeys are completed without delay

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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