Vegetation growing out of control?

[Mordac]

Works well if the water is saturated with salt. Much cheaper than bought products. Great for dealing with gaps in paving etc-but not where you want to grow something afterwards

Thanks for the tip, I will try this out and report back!

 

[Envoy]

Buddleia bushes are scraping against the sides of IET’s as they round the curve eastbound by the Hitachi depot at Stoke Gifford - just west of Bristol Parkway. If Network Rail can’t be bothered to even keep this busy mainline clear what hope for lesser used lines?

 

[Brush 4]

Vegetation caused a steam special to come to a halt on Hemerdon bank, delaying 2 service trains. In a somewhat bizarre incident, branches hit the butterfly cocks on coaches and caused the brake to partly leak on, dragging 7029 to a halt near the top of Hemerdon. (Youtube video) Those same branches must be hitting every train there.

AFAIK, the trees are still overhanging the lines at Tunnel Junction, Salisbury, after the collision attributed to leaf fall.
It can't be incompetence, as a deliberate decision to do nothing about the problem has been taken. Isn't this wilful malpractice? Hopefully, the trees there have been either felled or at least severely cut back. No-one died at Salisbury and no-one has anywhere, yet. This is Russian Roulette stuff, just hoping that nothing too serious happens. Nature will just keep on taking over, sooner or later, a major incident will happen.

 

[The exile]

Vegetation caused a steam special to come to a halt on Hemerdon bank, delaying 2 service trains. In a somewhat bizarre incident, branches hit the butterfly cocks on coaches and caused the brake to partly leak on, dragging 7029 to a halt near the top of Hemerdon. (Youtube video) Those same branches must be hitting every train there.

AFAIK, the trees are still overhanging the lines at Tunnel Junction, Salisbury, after the collision attributed to leaf fall.
It can't be incompetence, as a deliberate decision to do nothing about the problem has been taken. Isn't this wilful malpractice? Hopefully, the trees there have been either felled or at least severely cut back. No-one died at Salisbury and no-one has anywhere, yet. This is Russian Roulette stuff, just hoping that nothing too serious happens. Nature will just keep on taking over, sooner or later, a major incident will happen.

The cynic says that the cost savings are immediately obvious - the additional costs to be incurred by doing nothing now will appear on the books long after the current bean-counters have moved on to higher things.

 

[bleeder4]

I think it will take someone getting injured due to vegetation smashing a window before anything is done about it. I did a charter over the Central Wales Line and a vestibule droplight window was smashed by a branch. It's not a huge stretch to imagine that happening to a normal carriage window, showering the passengers with glass.

 

[Envoy]

I think it will take someone getting injured due to vegetation smashing a window before anything is done about it. I did a charter over the Central Wales Line and a vestibule droplight window was smashed by a branch. It's not a huge stretch to imagine that happening to a normal carriage window, showering the passengers with glass.

The vegetation on the Heart of Wales Line should be cut back to allow people to see the views instead of travelling through a wall of green.

 

[Western 52]

The vegetation on the Heart of Wales Line should be cut back to allow people to see the views instead of travelling through a wall of green.

Indeed, there are very few views from the train now. Mostly just a green tunnel.

 

[Trainman40083]

Works well if the water is saturated with salt. Much cheaper than bought products. Great for dealing with gaps in paving etc-but not where you want to grow something afterwards

I must ask my contact again.. He told me of a mix that I am sure included washing up liquid as well. Washing powder is good for killing moss on paths too

 

[GardenRail]

Buddleia bushes are scraping against the sides of IET’s as they round the curve eastbound by the Hitachi depot at Stoke Gifford - just west of Bristol Parkway. If Network Rail can’t be bothered to even keep this busy mainline clear what hope for lesser used lines?

Can the TOCs refuse to run their trains on lines where the trains are glancing trees etc? Imagine investing in new trains, to have them scratched or damaged on the first run.

 

[notverydeep]

AFAIK, the trees are still overhanging the lines at Tunnel Junction, Salisbury, after the collision attributed to leaf fall.
It can't be incompetence, as a deliberate decision to do nothing about the problem has been taken. Isn't this wilful malpractice? Hopefully, the trees there have been either felled or at least severely cut back. No-one died at Salisbury and no-one has anywhere, yet. This is Russian Roulette stuff, just hoping that nothing too serious happens. Nature will just keep on taking over, sooner or later, a major incident will happen.

It should be remembered that the vegetation at Salisbury Tunnel junction, though it featured prominently in the media coverage (including the railway press) was not the cause of the low adhesion that caused the train to pass the protecting signal at danger, the vegetation that led to the low adhesion that contributed to the accident was several hundreds of metres prior to the junction cutting on the falling gradient towards the protecting signal in an area that wasn't usually pictured in reports. To have come within the typical picture of the junction itself the train was already well past the danger signal. Whether the offending vegetation in that area has been dealt with, I don't know...

 

[londonmidland]

At South Wigston, the vegetation at the end of the platform is growing so tall, that it’s almost obscuring the signal aspect.

 

[Russel]

Did a trip along the Shakespeare line yesterday from Stratford Upon Avon to Snow Hill, the line as far as Tyesley was very overgrown with vegetation taking over the trackbed, more concerning though was the state of the Moor Street viaduct, couldn't see the walls in places, this can't be doing it any good.

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

I think some of you will be surprised how much hassle Network Rail (and the TOCs) gets from neighbours, environmental groups, charities etc when it comes to removing vegetation.

Not only does it introduce delay, it also increases the cost exponentially - especially if Network Rail needs to get security guards to standby or, in serious cases, an injunction.

Certain people / groups don't seem to understand the issues vegetation can cause, and seem to want Network Rail to treat it as a habitat alongside the railway purpose - something to be curated and carefully managed rather than removed/hacked away.

Bring back the track gangs with the flamethrowers!

 

[bleeder4]

I think some of you will be surprised how much hassle Network Rail (and the TOCs) gets from neighbours, environmental groups, charities etc when it comes to removing vegetation.

Not only does it introduce delay, it also increases the cost exponentially - especially if Network Rail needs to get security guards to standby or, in serious cases, an injunction.

Certain people / groups don't seem to understand the issues vegetation can cause, and seem to want Network Rail to treat it as a habitat alongside the railway purpose - something to be curated and carefully managed rather than removed/hacked away.

Bring back the track gangs with the flamethrowers!

Then Network Rail just need to stop running trains over that stretch of line, on the grounds that it is unsafe. If vegetation is striking trains then it is unsafe to operate trains. Once the trains stop running due to overgrown vegetation, there will be an intervention and the vegetation will be allowed to be cut back.

It may sound like using a sledgehammer to put in a nail, but unfortunately measures like these are what is needed against these self-righteous eco warriors.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In recent times, have Network Rail made any official statement on the matter of lineside vegetation control?

 

[Ladder23]

lack of pride, care and too many hinderances with health and safety/ competencies. You will soon need to go on a course to tie your boot laces the way it’s going.

when I was on Pway years ago we would have hours and hours spare, I suggested strimmers to make our route and accesses more presentable and safer, just get laughed at.

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

Then Network Rail just need to stop running trains over that stretch of line, on the grounds that it is unsafe. If vegetation is striking trains then it is unsafe to operate trains. Once the trains stop running due to overgrown vegetation, there will be an intervention and the vegetation will be allowed to be cut back.

It may sound like using a sledgehammer to put in a nail, but unfortunately measures like these are what is needed against these self-righteous eco warriors.

Striking trains isn't necessarily unsafe - but in the example earlier where vegetation is interfering with the train in someway definitely is.

I am aware that just one Avanti driver completed 5 x separate RT3185 (signal irregularity) forms on a single journey last week because signals had become, or were becoming obscured - and that's on arguably the most modern, but congested and heavily used railway in the UK. Lots of drivers don't bother, but they'll regret it if they have an incident!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2024 ==

In recent times, have Network Rail made any official statement on the matter of lineside vegetation control?

Vegetation management - Network Rail

Our work to manage trees and other vegetation by the railway helps to keep trains running safely and on time.

www.networkrail.co.uk

Managing the trees and plants alongside our railway for the safety of passengers and railway workers and achieving a respectful balance to protect our lineside habitats is essential, and it’s something we plan carefully and with consideration.

The problem is the "respectful balance". Some take that as a carte blanche prohibition on doing anything to vegetation. Network Rail only have themselves to blame for pandering to this for so long that it's now a policy with people prepared to challenge any deviation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2024 ==

This is the sort of nonsense to expect;

Network Rail called to account over tree felling requirements - St Albans Times

Campaigners are demanding answers from Network Rail bosses about the extent of tree felling proposals in St Albans.

stalbanstimes.co.uk

Network Rail called to account over tree felling requirementsi n St Albans

Campaigners are demanding answers from rail bosses about the extent of tree felling proposals.

 

[BrianW]

Such observations about the poor visibility of signs and signals on the railway due to vegetation apply equally to roadsides, and especially at this time of year, when, as noted, there is more obvious intensity of growth, leaf cover etc. I would like to think that those responsible for vegetation control will be informed by research regarding when bestto cut, howoften etc, and how to achieve the 'best for the buck', which will, I hazard to suggest, never be enough. The arguments about 'cost savings', 'slashed budgets', 'false economies', 'competition for limited resources' are all well known, AND sadly ineffective. As noted on another thread there is an opportunity to vote on the 4th July- will you vote for better public services or a 'free lunch'; your choice.

 

[Bald Rick]

Striking trains isn't necessarily unsafe - but in the example earlier where vegetation is interfering with the train in someway definitely is.

I am aware that just one Avanti driver completed 5 x separate RT3185 (signal irregularity) forms on a single journey last week because signals had become, or were becoming obscured - and that's on arguably the most modern, but congested and heavily used railway in the UK. Lots of drivers don't bother, but they'll regret it if they have an incident!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2024 ==

Vegetation management - Network Rail

Our work to manage trees and other vegetation by the railway helps to keep trains running safely and on time.

www.networkrail.co.uk

The problem is the "respectful balance". Some take that as a carte blanche prohibition on doing anything to vegetation. Network Rail only have themselves to blame for pandering to this for so long that it's now a policy with people prepared to challenge any deviation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2024 ==

This is the sort of nonsense to expect;

Network Rail called to account over tree felling requirements - St Albans Times

Campaigners are demanding answers from Network Rail bosses about the extent of tree felling proposals in St Albans.

stalbanstimes.co.uk

Indeed so. I had quite an argument with one of the councillors quoted about the subject (in a non-work capacity).

And, of course, there were severe delays on the line only a week or so ago due to a tree on the line in the very area that article was concerned about.

 

[Winthorpe]

I think some of you will be surprised how much hassle Network Rail (and the TOCs) gets from neighbours, environmental groups, charities etc when it comes to removing vegetation.

Not only does it introduce delay, it also increases the cost exponentially - especially if Network Rail needs to get security guards to standby or, in serious cases, an injunction.

Certain people / groups don't seem to understand the issues vegetation can cause, and seem to want Network Rail to treat it as a habitat alongside the railway purpose - something to be curated and carefully managed rather than removed/hacked away.

Bring back the track gangs with the flamethrowers!

It’s very odd that ‘green’ parties work against the railway.

 

[Grecian 1998]

I was on the 1709 from Portsmouth to Cardiff on Sunday evening when the driver performed (what I assume to be) an emergency stop between Salisbury and Warminster due to hitting part of a tree. That was the reason given by the guard. I'd estimate it was approximately 5 miles south of Warminster with thick lineside vegetation. Train was comprised of 2 X 165s.

The driver got out to inspect the train (he waited a few minutes so assume he was waiting for any Salisbury-bound services to be stopped), confirmed no damage done and we were soon on the way - only 8 minutes down at Warminster. Can't have been very pleasant for the driver though, worrying about broken windows or derailment.

 

[Bikeman78]

I think it will take someone getting injured due to vegetation smashing a window before anything is done about it. I did a charter over the Central Wales Line and a vestibule droplight window was smashed by a branch. It's not a huge stretch to imagine that happening to a normal carriage window, showering the passengers with glass.

I went on a 150 to Maesteg the other day. The hopper windows were stripping leaves off the bushes and trees such that the window seats, and I, were covered by the end of the journey. The forecast rain on Thursday will certainly make that journey interesting!

 

[Romsey]

At least one heritage loco owning group is submitting vegetation strike reports to their TOC's for transmission to NR route engineers.
Reporting it means if there is any comeback you have proof of reporting the problem. (That or name and shame with photos of leaf litter swept up in coaches?)

By the way, any signals which are obscured should be reported by a driver on fom RT3185. It's a matter of safety.

 

[Peter Sarf]

On a 700 this evening Wimbledon to Sutton and soon after Wimbledon I could see there was a thick growth of ivy half way across the Sutton to Wimbledon track. The ivy was so thick you could see where the third rail pick up shoe had been - a dark line in the ivy indicating either the ivy had cleaned the pick up shoes or perhaps the ivy was getting burnt. Be interesting if the ivy gets bold enough to dislodge a pickup shoe more. Further along I noticed the ivy was enveloping the outside third rail on same track.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

On a 700 this evening Wimbledon to Sutton and soon after Wimbledon I could see there was a thick growth of ivy half way across the Sutton to Wimbledon track. The ivy was so thick you could see where the third rail pick up shoe had been - a dark line in the ivy indicating either the ivy had cleaned the pick up shoes or perhaps the ivy was getting burnt. Be interesting if the ivy gets bold enough to dislodge a pickup shoe more. Further along I noticed the ivy was enveloping the outside third rail on same track.

This is the new approach to conceal all the scrap and other junk left on the lineside

 

[Irascible]

I must ask my contact again.. He told me of a mix that I am sure included washing up liquid as well. Washing powder is good for killing moss on paths too

Diluted washing-up liquid is good at removing fungus too.

I always thought the various emissions from steam locomotives ( other than sparks! ) helped keep immediately close growth down a bit, as probably did older diesels throwing oil & probably diesel around. I wonder how good salt water on it's own really is, because that's not hard to obtain in bulk...

 

[rower40]

This is the new approach to conceal all the scrap and other junk left on the lineside

And to provide a cost-effective alternative to carriage washing machines. And, as noted before, to block that pesky gap between Elizabeth Line train and platform at Ealing Broadway platform 4.

And obscured signals will be a thing of the past with ETCS.

 

[Belperpete]

And obscured signals will be a thing of the past with ETCS.

Just replaced by obscured marker boards.

 

[D6130]

By the way, any signals which are obscured should be reported by a driver on fom RT3185. It's a matter of safety.

Correct....but in the first instance they have to be reported to the signaller immediately, so that folowing trains can be cautioned if necessary and the chainsaw gang can be mobilised as soon as possible. Then the driver must sumit a completed form RT3185 before going off-duty.

 

[Krokodil]

And for three quarters of the year those teams would end up under-utilised.

For which you have presented the solution yourself:

Personally I think it's far more important to focus on the clearing of litter and dirt than weeds, as this is far more noticeable to the general public.

So spend part of the year keeping vegetation down, the rest cleaning up.

We have one of these threads every year for May and June because certain species of plants grow rapidly now and die back every year.

Buddleia is not one of them. Nor are the trees/shrubs growing in the ten foot near here which are getting quite mature now.

I think some of you will be surprised how much hassle Network Rail (and the TOCs) gets from neighbours, environmental groups, charities etc when it comes to removing vegetation.

I can believe it. I remember BTP being involved when an allotment holder was aggressive towards staff felling lineside trees.

I am aware that just one Avanti driver completed 5 x separate RT3185 (signal irregularity) forms on a single journey last week because signals had become, or were becoming obscured - and that's on arguably the most modern, but congested and heavily used railway in the UK. Lots of drivers don't bother, but they'll regret it if they have an incident!

When it gets to the point that a driver considers it reportable, it tends to be far below the minimum sighting requirements.