Overview

• The specialised leaf-removal vehicle will roll out from Effingham Junction in Surrey next week as part of Network Rail’s autumn programme.
• Network Rail says fallen leaves can compress into a slippery, insulating layer like black ice that cuts train grip and can hinder track detection, prompting speed limits and seasonal timetables.
• Officials say the leaf-busting fleet will treat over a million miles of track this autumn, with reports citing a £100 million effort and around 1.12 million miles treated each year.
• A public vote chose the name after about 1,300 nominations were shortlisted by a panel that included Tim Dunn, Lord Hendy and Lisa Angus.
• The train will support work on routes including Wessex, where it is expected to cover roughly 170,000 miles using high-pressure water jets, alongside fast-reaction teams and added technology.