Trains running to and from Helensburgh are to be equipped with a special type of sand to tackle the perennial problem of 'leaves on the line'.
This autumn, seven 'leaf busting' trains, drone technology, and a total of 18 teams will ensure passenger and freight services run on time.
Network Rail is planning to trial the use of the special sand on the 'class 334' trains which run on the route between Helensburgh Central and Edinburgh.
The 'hydrophobic' sand is already being used by the rail infrastructure company's dedicated 'leaf fall' teams, with Network Rail now planning to trial its effectiveness when used directly by trains on a number of routes, including the Helensburgh-Edinburgh service.
The equivalent of black ice on railway tracks, fallen leaves can cause serious complications like trains overshooting signals or platforms – making it harder for signallers to track where trains are.
The leaf-fall teams work round the clock to remove these hazardous leaves and reduce such delays.
To fight this issue, specialist rail-head treatment trains (RHTTs) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) will cover more miles on the tracks, serving routes like the newly opened Levenmouth Rail Link for the first time.
These trains use high-pressure water jets to cleanse the rails before applying a sandy gel that boosts the train wheels' grip.
In addition, two ‘SandRovers’ are to be used on the West Highland Line, which runs via Helensburgh Upper, Garelochhead and Arrochar & Tarbet, and on the route between Balloch and Dalreoch.
These modified Land Rovers are road-rail vehicles which can clean and treat rails.
Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "It’s exciting to see our seven leaf-busting trains take to the rails in mid-September, part of our £7 million investment to improve performance by running more trains on time.
"Leaves on the line are dangerous, affecting trains like black ice affects road vehicles.
"To prepare for this, we’re using tried and tested techniques, as well as some innovative technology, such as drone inspections and hydrophobic sand, that will help break down leaves and improve traction for trains.”
Between September 16 and December 6, more than 81,000 miles of track will be treated, targeting leaf-fall black spots.
Teams will also continue the use of hydrophobic sand to improve traction for trains in slippery conditions.
ScotRail plans to adjust its timetable during autumn to weather inevitable changes and keep services running smoothly.
Most changes will be minor but aimed at improving overall resilience.
Mark Ilderton, service delivery director at ScotRail, said: “We know few things frustrate customers more than when their train is delayed because of leaves on the line, but the reality is that this can lead to disruption across the network.
“To help minimise the impact the weather has on our customers this autumn, we’re making some minor changes to our timetable to ensure its as resilient as possible.
“We’ve also been working round the clock to prepare our trains and our stations for the change in weather, while working with colleagues at Network Rail to keep rails and train wheels free of contamination caused by crushed leaves.
“Throughout autumn, we’ll make sure customers are kept up to date with accurate information about their journeys.”
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