PEOPLE across the West Midlands are being urged to help Network Rail by naming the organisation’s leafbusting train.
With more than 13million trees on and next to the railway in Britain, tackling leaf-fall requires a massive operation.
Network Rail’s dedicated leaf-fall teams work around the clock to clear tracks with specialised leaf-fall forecasting and- the stars of the show- a fleet of multi-purpose vehicles.
During the autumn, between September and December, the fleet will treat 1.12million miles of track – the distance equivalent of going around the world around 40 times.
So to offer some light re-leaf this autumn, Network Rail has teamed up with railway historian and TV presenter Tim Dunn to offer one person the chance to anoint one of the unsung heroes of the British autumn with a befitting name.
Whether it’s paying tribute to a revered person (Leafer Sutherland) or an unbe-leaf-able pun people are being urged to get in their nominations before next Friday, September 20.
A judging panel featuring Tim will shortlist entries with the final few going through to a public vote to decide the winning name.
The final name and ‘unveiling’ will be held at one of our autumn treatment depots in late October.
Tim said: “I’m delighted to get behind this campaign, which highlights how Network Rail’s leaf-busters help reduce delays and keep passengers moving during the autumn period.
“This is a terrific opportunity for the public to name one of these high-tech marvellous machines, so get those suggestions in now.
“I’m confident you can do better than my entry: ‘Trainy McTrainFace’.”
Network Rail’s weather research
Ahead of the change in seasons, Network Rail held a poll which found talking about the weather was seen as the most classic British trait.
The research discovered 68 per cent of Britons put having a natter about the weather top – even ahead of drinking tea (52 per cent) and ‘respecting the queue’.
And it seems it does not matter who we speak to – 39 per cent of adults said they would discuss the weather with anyone and 14 per cent admitted it was a popular conversation topic on their morning commute.
Among the most popular weather phrases we use are ‘It’s blowing a gale’ (popular in Scotland), ‘it’s lashing it down’ (common in the north-east) and ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ (most used in the south of England).
More than half of adults – 54 per cent – felt heavy snow was the most disruptive weather condition they had experienced, followed by heavy rain (47 per cent) and ice (30 per cent).
Just five per cent said leaf-fall was disruptive but they do cause havoc on railway lines. When trains pass over leaves, the heat and weight of the trains bake them into a thin, slippery layer on the rail, similar to black ice on the roads. This mulch can also interfere with signalling systems, forming a barrier between the train wheels and the electrical parts of the track that help Network Rail pin-point where trains are.
Lisa Angus, Network Rail’s industry weather response director, said: “The scale of the operation involved in keeping passengers moving through the autumn is monumental and this year will be our biggest yet, with more miles being covered by our leaf-busters and more technology being used than ever before.
“Our leaf-busting trains are the unsung heroes of the British autumn and we’re excited to hear the creative naming nominations for one of the vehicles which will travel the length and breadth of the country this year to keep the railway running safely and reliably.”
To enter, send nominations to: [email protected] or use the #NameTheLeafbuster hashtag on X by next Friday’s deadline.
