It's not just a leaf

It’s Not Just a Leaf 🍂

Discover what happens when autumn leaves meet the railway, and meet the people working together to keep you moving safely.

Every autumn, thousands of tonnes of leaves fall onto the railway across the North. When wet leaves are crushed under passing trains, they create a slippery layer known as leaf mulch – a bit like black ice on the roads.

This can make it harder for trains to accelerate and brake, sometimes affecting journey times.

But we're ready for autumn. Across Northern, TransPennine Express, Network Rail and industry partners, thousands of people work together to plan ahead, manage leaf fall and help keep trains running safely.

What happens when leaves meet the railway?

When wet leaves are compressed between train wheels and the rails, they form a thin, slippery layer of mulch. This reduces the grip trains need to accelerate and brake safely.

That's why our drivers take extra care during autumn, adjusting how they drive to suit the conditions.

We're ready for autumn

From weather forecasting and careful timetable planning to specialist leaf-busting trains, teams across the railway work throughout the season to manage leaf fall and reduce disruption.

We plan ahead for challenging conditions and respond when things change, helping keep you moving safely.

Meet the people behind the railway

It takes a team to tackle leaf fall

Behind every train journey is a team of people working together to keep the railway moving.

From drivers adapting how they operate their trains to the colleagues working trackside and behind the scenes, everyone has a part to play in managing the challenges autumn brings.

Meet some of the colleagues from Northern, TransPennine Express and Network Rail who play their part in managing autumn's challenges.

One railway. One team.

Managing leaf fall takes teamwork across the railway.

Northern, TransPennine Express, Network Rail and industry partners work together to plan ahead, share information and respond to changing conditions throughout autumn.

From preparing for areas where leaf fall is expected to have the biggest impact to taking action when conditions change, this joined-up approach helps us manage the challenges of the season.

Because keeping people moving safely is a team effort.

Now you know it's not just a leaf.

From the leaves falling from the trees to the teams working across the railway, there's a lot more to autumn than meets the eye.

We're planning ahead, using specialist equipment and bringing people together to tackle leaf fall and help keep the railway moving safely.

So next time you hear leaves on the line, or slippery rails, remember: it's not just a leaf.

Want to find out more? Find out how the industry is tackling leaf fall across the country at Network Rail website.