12.10.17
Specialist trains keep Wales moving through autumn
Specialist ‘railhead treatment’ trains are in use across the railway in Wales and the Borders as Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales step-up their plans for autumn.
The railhead treatment trains are designed to use high pressured water jets to clear the top of the track, improving traction between the track and the rain.
Engineers are poised 24/7 to ensure the trains remain in service for the whole of autumn.
With 50% more rail passengers than 10 years ago, and a record number of services running on the Wales and Borders network, keeping passengers on the move is vital.
The collaboration between Arriva Trains Wales and NR has seen £2m invested in specialist railhead treatment this year.
In order to combat slippery rails, the tracks are treated with a gel to help to minimise the impact that leaf fall and dew have on traction, in turn reducing delays on services.
NR has invested an additional £1.5m in vegetation management, removing vegetation from near the railway.
In the run up to autumn, train drivers have received additional training for the adverse weather conditions that autumn can bring.
Arriva Trains Wales are investing in their wheel repair facilities and training staff to use wheel repair equipment, which it hopes will maximise the availability of trains.
Lynne Milligan, customer services director for Arriva Train Wales, said: “Autumn can be a difficult and unpredictable time on the railway, with the weather playing a huge part on our service delivery.”
She continued: “We have contingency plans in place to ensure that should we get bad weather and a big rise in the impact of the slippery rail conditions, our drivers and our operations team are able to reduce the impact as much as practically possible.”
Chief operating office for Network Rail in Wales, Bill Kelly, added: “We understand how important the railway economy is in Wales and Borders.
“We are working with Arriva Trains Wales day in, day out to make sure we keep passengers moving as quickly and safely as possible.”