New Network Rail leaf clearing train to be called 'Ctrl Alt Deleaf'

[styles]

Network Rail gears up for Autumn as ‘Ctrl Alt Deleaf’ takes to the tracks
Region & Route: National
Leaves are browning, autumn is around the corner and Network Rail is gearing up for its annual multi-million-pound battle against Mother Nature and ‘leaves on the line’, aiming to keep millions of passengers and trains safe and moving over the next three months.

Network Rail has invested over £100m to tackle ‘leaves on the line’ – the annual scourge for Britain’s railways, and railways across the world - as damp, compressed leaves become the railway equivalent of black-ice on the road leading to slow running, delays and disruption.

Entering the fray is a new hero this season, revealed just this morning; ‘Ctrl Alt Deleaf’! This leaf-kicking train - named by the public in a nationwide vote - is all set to roll out for the first time next week from a depot at Effingham Junction, Surrey, where it’s been showing off its flashy new autumn-themed look. Its mission, along with an entire fleet of similar leaf-busters, is to blast leaf-mulch off the rails – treating some 1.12 million miles over the autumn - to keep them clean and keep journeys running smoothly across the country.

Network Rail gears up for Autumn as ‘Ctrl Alt Deleaf’ takes to the tracks

Leaves are browning, autumn is around the corner and Network Rail is gearing up for its annual multi-million-pound battle against Mother Nature and ‘leaves on the line’, aiming to keep millions of passengers and trains safe and moving over the next three months.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

I am glad to see bodies recognising the public's wishes, in a vindication of public votes for naming things after the Boaty McBoatface scandal.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Are other members of the fleet to be named? There were some other good names on the shortlist - such as Pulp Friction and Leaf Fall Weapon.

 

[leezer3]

I am glad to see bodies recognising the public's wishes, in a vindication of public votes for naming things after the Boaty McBoatface scandal.

Unfortunately, names in that vein were banned from submission.

Source- comment from Tim Dunn in BBC article.

Ctrl Alt Deleaf wins public vote to name track cleaning train

Other names on the shortlist included Leaf-Fall Weapon, Pulp Friction and The Autumn Avenger.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[edwin_m]

They used Leafall Weapon in a publicity campaign a few years ago, but I don't think they actually named a train.

 

[chrisjo]

DR98973

 

[gazthomas]

Shame they don't put more effort into proactive vegetation management rather than gimmicks

 

[GusB]

Shame they don't put more effort into proactive vegetation management rather than gimmicks

That's a bit harsh. The MPVs are going to be going out on the network anyway, so whether or not they're named doesn't really matter.

It provides an opportunity for Network Rail to communicate with the public and educate people about why leaves are such a major issue.

Besides, even if every single bit of vegetation within x metres of the railway was removed, it doesn't stop the wind blowing leaves in from elsewhere.

 

[gazthomas]

Really? They're just about to close the Blaenau Ffestiniog line for one month to deal with growth they should have been on top of years ago

 

[Deepgreen]

More dumbing-down and gimmicks from the people who brought us "See It, Say It, Sorted". I despair.