A cutting-edge method using dry ice to clear leaves from train tracks is set to be trialled in the North East this autumn.
The innovative system, called Cryogrip, will be tested on a train running between Bishop Auckland and North Road station in Darlington. Although the train won’t carry passengers, it will operate between scheduled Northern services to help keep the tracks clear and reduce delays.
Developed by engineers at the University of Sheffield, Cryogrip works by blasting dry ice pellets at the railhead using a stream of air travelling at supersonic speed. The pellets freeze any leaves on the track and then disintegrate into gas, effectively removing debris without leaving residue.
This technology has previously been trialled on the Wensleydale Railway, a volunteer-run heritage line in Yorkshire. However, this marks the first time it will be tested on an active passenger route operated by Northern.
If successful, Cryogrip could be rolled out more widely — potentially even on passenger trains — offering a cleaner, more efficient way to tackle one of autumn’s biggest challenges for rail travel.
Rob Cummings, Northern’s seasonal performance improvement manager, said: “Some people like to make jokes about wet leaves on the line. But when you have steel wheels running on a steel rail, any slippery substance that affects the grip is a big problem.
“There is a comprehensive plan in place to help our train crews deal with this, which includes forecasting, extensive mapping, railhead treatment trains and sanders.
“We are also keen to find out whether the cryogenic cleaning equipment is another effective tool which can be used on other parts of our network."
Roger Lewis, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “Our track cleaning system could revolutionise how we clean the UK’s railways, cut delays for passengers and save the industry some of the millions it loses to leaves on the line every year.
"The testing with Northern is a vital step towards the system being used more widely on lines across the country.”
Every autumn, thousands of tonnes of leaves fall onto railway lines — and this year, they’re arriving earlier than usual after the hottest summer on record.
When these leaves get wet and compressed by passing trains, they create a thin, slippery layer on the tracks. This “leaf mulch” reduces friction, making it harder for trains to grip the rails. As a result, drivers must accelerate more gently and begin braking much earlier to ensure they stop safely at stations and signals. These precautions can lead to slower journeys and occasional delays.
To tackle this seasonal challenge, Northern has identified routes that are typically affected — such as the line between Horsforth and Harrogate — and ensures its drivers are equipped with up-to-date guidance and weather forecasts to help them navigate the tricky conditions.
Northern also works closely with Network Rail, which operates railhead treatment trains six days a week. These specialist trains clean the tracks by blasting away leaf debris and applying a special gel made of sand and steel grains. This treatment improves traction and helps keep services running smoothly.
Image credit: Northern
