Drones and 'leaf-busters' deployed to help keep ScotRail trains running during autumn

Drone technology will be deployed alongside seven specialist ‘leaf-busting’ trains this autumn to help keep passenger and freight services running on time.

Eighteen leaf-fall teams will work around the clock to remove fallen leaves – the railway’s equivalent of black ice on the road – to help cut delays.

Leaves on the line can cause trains to lose their grip on the rails which means braking distances are increased.

If this happens, it can cause trains to overshoot signals or platforms.

Specialist trains will use high-pressure water jets to clean the rails before coating them with a sandy gel that sticks to them, helping improve train wheels’ grip.

To supplement the seven leaf-busting trains, Network Rail will use two ‘Sand Rovers’ on the West Highland Line and between Balloch and Dalreoch.

These modified Land Rovers are road-rail vehicles which can clean and treat rails.

The 'Sand Rover' is used to clear leaves off of the railway. — The ‘Sand Rover’ is used to clear leaves off of the railway. Network Rail

Rapid response teams will trial the use of drones to inspect the rails for leaf contamination from above, without staff having to stop trains to access the track.

Between September 16 and December 6, more than 81,000 miles of track will be treated by this specialist fleet while teams of engineers will target leaf-fall black spots.

The leaf-fall teams will also continue the use of ‘hydrophobic’ sand which sticks to the rails, giving trains more traction in slippery conditions.

Network Rail will also equip ScotRail’s Class 334 fleet with the same sand, trialling its effect on several routes, including between Helensburgh Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

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.

“To do this, we’ll be working as one team with colleagues across Scotland’s Railway to keep passengers and freight moving this autumn.

“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.”

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, 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.”