Axminster: New vehicle will make leaves on the line a thing of the past, rail bosses hope

Rail bosses have unveiled their latest weapon against dreaded 'leaves on the line' delays - a 'Sand Rover' vehicle which clears the tracks.

The modified Land Rover Defender 4x4 has been refitted to sit perfectly on rail lines - with special wire brushes able to clear tracks of debris.

Network Rail says that the nifty bit of kit saw an 80% average reduction of delays caused by leaf falls on tracks thanks to the Sand Rover in a successful trial in autumn 2020.

Thousands of tonnes of autumn leaves falling on railways each year compacted by train wheels can create a slippery mulch a bit like black ice for trains.

The slippery mulch can cause trains to overshoot their stations, and to struggle to both start and stop - often creating frustrating delays or frightening passengers.

The vehicle was designed by Aquarius Railroad Technologies Limited, who fitted the 4x4 with its specially mounted wire brushes and the ability to coat the tracks in sand and a citrus treatment.

Together the three treatments ensure that leaf mulch is kept off the tracks, and that overshooting trains therefore do not trigger mass delays along busy lines.

Unlike similar concepts, the Defender has not had its wheels replaced with rail-fitted wheels, meaning it can both drive on the roads and rail lines to relocate quickly if needed.

Scott Harrison, managing director of Aquarius Railroad Technologies said: "We're delighted that the Sand Rover has been so successful for the team in Devon.

"We understand that seasonal weather can be a real concern when trying to keep tracks safe for rolling stock, and ensuring a seamless service is of the utmost importance to Network Rail and operators alike.

"Sand Rovers are available for deployment across the UK, and we are proud to report that they can access even the hardest to reach areas of track.

"If a leaf can fall there, a Sand Rover can get there!"

The vehicle was trialled on the Tarka line between Barnstaple and Exeter in 2020 before the trial was expanded to cover the Dartmoor line between Exeter and Okehampton too.

Often operating at night, the vehicle is now expected to operate across branch lines in Devon, while special track-clearing trains known as RHTT's clear other lines.

Nationwide, a fleet of leaf busting trains treats around 1.04 million miles of track each autumn - equivalent to travelling to the moon and back twice.

Network Rail's infrastructure maintenance engineer Craig Hocking said: "Our successful trial of the Sand Rover on the Tarka line in 2020 and Dartmoor line last year significantly reduced autumn-related delays for our passengers, which is why we're fully utilising it this year to combat leaf fall.

"The Sand Rover is ideal for use on branch lines in Devon that see high leaf fall levels and allows us to proactively concentrate on specific areas and treat them quickly at the touch of a button from the cab of the vehicle.

"This year we're pleased to be using the Sand Rover again at night when the trains aren't running, with its proven track record of delay reduction.

"We'll also be using our special treatment trains across Devon and Cornwall to clean the rails throughout autumn and our teams will be ready to respond to any issues that arise to minimise any delays for passengers."