Autumn Treatment

Collaborative Resilience: TfW and Network Rail Gear Up for Autumn and Winter Challenges

As the UK rail network braces for the seasonal shift, Transport for Wales (TfW) and Network Rail are reinforcing their commitment to operational resilience and passenger safety. The autumn and winter months bring a host of environmental challenges—from leaf fall and wet weather to storm damage—that can significantly impact infrastructure and service reliability.

In Wales, proactive investment and strategic collaboration are driving preparations to mitigate these risks and maintain service continuity.

Tackling Vegetation and Railhead Contamination

Network Rail has launched an extensive vegetation management programme, targeting diseased trees and overgrown trackside foliage. This initiative is critical to reducing the risk of weather-related disruptions and improving visibility and safety across the network.

Complementing this, railhead treatment trains (RHTTs) are being deployed across 1,500 miles of track. Operating up to 21 hours a day, six days a week from 1 October to 6 December, these specialist units use high-pressure water jets to remove leaf residue and apply adhesion-enhancing solutions at key locations.

This year also sees the introduction of high-definition railhead cameras on trains, enabling real-time identification of contamination and facilitating targeted preventative treatment.

Enhancing Maintenance Capabilities in North Wales

TfW is set to open a new wheel lathe facility in Holyhead, designed to streamline the repair process for train wheels affected by winter wear. The site will reshape worn wheels, ensuring they remain safe and efficient for passenger service.

Investing in the Conwy Valley Line

The Conwy Valley line, one of the most storm-impacted routes in the Wales and Borders network, has faced over 500 days of closure in recent years. In response, TfW and Network Rail have jointly invested £1.4 million in resilience works this year, including extensive vegetation clearance.

A UK-first innovation is also being trialled on the line: a vehicle-borne applicator developed in partnership with Interflon and Irish Rail. This system applies Interflon’s Leaf Guard product to the rails, breaking down leaf contamination and forming a protective barrier to maintain rail cleanliness for longer.

Nick Millington, Wales and Borders Route Director, emphasised the importance of safety and collaboration:

“Safety is always our priority and our teams work tirelessly across 1,500 miles of track to keep passengers and freight running.”


“As the impacts of climate change become more apparent, we're working harder than ever to protect the railway against extreme conditions, such as using our specialist trains to keep the tracks clear and safe, as well as working closely with Transport for Wales to make sure the network is ready, whatever the seasons bring.”

James Price, CEO of Transport for Wales, echoed the sentiment:

“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 for the seasons ahead and continue to encourage people to use sustainable transport.”

Image credit: Network Rail

Issue 146

RTM Issue 146

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Focusing on the latest developments, innovations, and policy impacts in the UK rail industry, with a particular emphasis on sustainability, infrastructure upgrades, and future technological advancements.

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