Case Studies - Leaf Fall Campaign
Leaf it to Weedfree!
With over 7,000 shifts now completed and a 100% attendance record for every shift, Weedfree are currently in the midst of their seventh successful leaf fall campaign on the UK national rail network.
Extreme weather conditions and seasonal changes account for 10% of all delays on the rail network, with Network Rail currently spending around £60m combating the effects of leaves on the line.
When leaves fall on the lines they get compressed by trains rolling over them and form a layer of mulch on the rail head which is like a Teflon coating. This coating is likened to black ice on the roads by train drivers, causing trains to slip. This affects a vehicle’s acceleration and braking, causing delays and compromising safety. In order to combat this, Network Rail commission a fleet of MPVs (Multi Purpose Vehicles) and RHTTs (Rail Head Treatment Trains) from September through to December.
These vehicles are used to apply Sandite, a composition of gel and sand directly onto the rail head to improve adhesion. This application, twinned with a high powered water jetter running at 1000 bar pressure that blasts any leaf residue off the rails are successfully utilized throughout England, Scotland and Wales to combat the effects of leaves on the line.
- Each season, Weedfree provide a workforce of around 120 trained and competent staff throughout the country, operating and supporting the MPV and RHTT units, in cooperation with EWS and COLAS who provide the engines and drivers for haulage
- Weedfree cover around 90 shifts a day at peak season
- Weedfree have a 100% attendance record for every shift that has run
- Much of this work is carried out at night, to minimise interference with normal passenger and freight traffic
- Weedfree run a 24/7 control centre, ensuring that our operators are all in place at the right time, and maintaining contact to ensure work is completed correctly and problems are dealt with immediately