Poor railhead conditions

[whole diary]

[hoover50]

There were a few delays today (Tuesday) as well as yesterday, due to "poor railhead conditions" which I assume is the old "leaves on the line" excuse.

Seems the RHTT^▸ (Rail Head Treatment Train) trains are not being as effective as was hoped?
 

[IndustryInsider]

I expect the RHTT^▸ (Rail Head Treatment Train) will be as effective as they usually are, but at this time of the year drivers are more cautious under braking and trains are not as effective accelerating, so there will be delays no matter what.  As usual we can expect bad days between now and early December but the exact number depends on what good old Mother Nature throws at us.  A cold and dry autumn making things much more manageable than a mild, wet and windy one.

[stuving]

In answer to the next question, yes other railways do have the same problem - but they don't necessarily apply the same countermeasures. For example there's a regular series of seasonal announcements by SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) here.

This mentions a programme of comparing notes with other European railways, and trying out each other's ideas. I suspect everyone uses rail washers and braking/traction control, and SNCF are going to try the adhesion gel used here. Their party trick is to stretch nets above the track - so look out for that, maybe coming to a cutting near you soon. 

[chrisr_75]

which I assume is the old "leaves on the line" excuse.

Every. Single. Year...apologies if it was said in jest, but the old 'old leaves on the line excuse' thing really wears a bit thin.

It's not an 'excuse', it is a genuine and very real problem caused, more often than not, by the dreaded sycamore leaf, which is a particularly slippery character, especially when formed into a highly effective railhead lubricating paste when ground up by the many wheels of passing trains, ably assisted by our generally damp and quite prolonged autumns. Nothing unusual though, happens everywhere where broadleaf, deciduous trees exist near railways in climates which experience an Autumn leaf fall.

Don't know about you, but I'd rather suffer a few minor delays here and there caused by cautious driving at poor adhesion sites, rather than the huge delay (or much much worse...) incurred in sourcing a replacement driver in the event of a SPAD^▸ (Signal Passed At Danger)...

[SandTEngineer]

Of course there is also the greater risk of losing a train in the signalling system caused by the leaf fall railhead residue insulating the rails from the wheels in track circuited areas (called a 'Wrong Side Failure' whereby the track circuit shows section clear when its actually occupied by a train; a condition that is safety related and dangerous).  A lot of modern signalling systems can mitigate the risk by checking for sequential operation of track circuits.  Of course this is not a problem in axle counter areas.

[grahame]

Whenever I'm tempted to roll my eyes at "leaves on the line", I remember back to my schooldays commuting from Orpington to Sevenoaks by train across the North Downs via Knockholt summit, and remember one frost winter's day when even our electric train struggled to pick up current (an sparked) to the extent that I really wondered if it was going to stall.  We crept though Chelsfield and got some relief through the tunnel just beyond the station, but it was a mightly slow journey with a lot of fireworks outside!

[TaplowGreen]

I was on the train to Bristol from Reading this morning and the TM^‡(resolve) advised that the (Slight) delay was due to "Poor rail conditions in the Paddington area".................haven't seen many trees around there, or maybe it was the wrong type of rain this morning? 

[IndustryInsider]

Of course this is not a problem in axle counter areas.

One of their few benefits... 

[FarWestJohn]

A 150 on Monday just made it up the bank after a stop at St.Germans on Monday afternoon on the 1349 Plymouth to Penzance working. Lost 20 minutes but we made it!! This train as usual was heaving with standing passengers with many transferring from XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) with loads of luggage at Plymouth.

[phile]

HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) slipping in Cornwall this evening.

[bobm]

Apparently there is/was a 20mph speed restriction at Rattery which isn't/wasn't helping.

[Henry]

 I can live with delays, and understand the problems associated with the 'leaf fall' season.

 What I find disgraceful is the decision of XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) to cancel the first 2 trains out of Plymouth this morning.
 Stood at Totnes  waiting the 0558, no problems and on time. The next 'up service' is then 0750.

 It is well documented the problems XC have with Dawlish and sea water, but this has been going on for years
 and still no cure.

[Adelante_CCT]

The next 'up service' is then 0750.

To be fair I believe the 05:05 from Penzance stopped additionally around 07:25

[IndustryInsider]

As usual we can expect bad days between now and early December but the exact number depends on what good old Mother Nature throws at us.  A cold and dry autumn making things much more manageable than a mild, wet and windy one.

Well, the leaf-fall season is now pretty much over and despite it being a mostly mild, wet and windy one, the train service held up pretty well this year I thought.  A couple of bad days and a few heavy delays, but the service didn't seem to fall apart regularly like it has in the last couple of years.

[didcotdean]

Leaves are still on half the trees round here - the one across the road is as late as I can remember. Maybe the stretched out nature of autumn has helped reduce the quantity at any one time.