Don’t let the thought of autumnal leaves and winter storms derail your travel plans. Cardiff is a city on the move, and keeping the rail network running safely and smoothly is essential to our daily lives. That’s why Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) are making brilliant use of new technology and major infrastructure upgrades to battle the elements this season. From high-power water jets to a UK first leaf treatment on the Conwy Valley Line, this massive preparation effort is all about keeping you connected across the Wales and Borders network.
One of the most persistent issues is railhead adhesion, caused by compressed, wet leaves creating a slippery coating on the tracks. To tackle this, specialist Railhead Treatment Trains (RHTTs) are deployed across the network.
These trains use high-power water jetting to blast away leaf contamination and then apply a special solution to maximise adhesion between train wheels and the steel rails. These RHTTs will run intensively across the network, operating up to 21 hours a day, 6 days a week, and covering over 1,500 miles of track between October and early December.
Additionally, new technology is being trialled to improve the effectiveness of this work. New high-definition railhead cameras fitted to trains are helping teams proactively identify contamination hot-spots, allowing for preventative treatment before services are impacted.
Extreme weather from storms is an increasing threat, making infrastructure protection vital. Network Rail is carrying out an extensive vegetation management programme that involves regular trackside clearance, removing high risk trees and thick vegetation before the worst of the weather hits.
A key focus for investment is the Conwy Valley Line, which has faced over 500 days of storm-related closure in recent years, making it one of the most affected routes. TfW and Network Rail have jointly invested £1.4 million in resilience work this year, including major tree clearance.
The line is also the focus of an innovative trial. In a UK first, vehicle applicator designed to apply the latest Interflon Leaf Guard product to the rails. This solution breaks down leaf contamination, forming a protective barrier to keep the rails clean for longer, significantly boosting service reliability.
To speed up the repair process and keep more trains running, Transport for Wales is opening a crucial new train wheel repairing facility in Holyhead, North Wales, this month. The facility features a new wheel lathe which will be able to efficiently reshape worn wheels, keeping the fleet safe and smooth for travel across the Wales and Borders Network.
James Price, CEO of Transport for Wales, commitment: “The changing weather presents the rail industry in the UK with many challenges and over the last few years we’ve seen this intensify over the autumn and winter seasons. We’re working in partnership with Network Rail to ensure that we’re well-prepared for the months ahead and our main priority is always safety. We want to keep people moving and rail services running across our network and continue to encourage people to use sustainable transport.”
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