Commuter Rail

NJ Transit Starts Seasonal Use of AquaTrack to Clean Tracks

NJ Transit has started its seasonal use of two AquaTrack machines to clean and remove leaves from the rails. The AquaTrack system, which NJ Transit has used since October 2003, is a high-pressure power washing system that removes the oily residue left behind by fallen leaves on the tracks to prevent train delays caused by “slippery rail” conditions. Fallen leaves left on rail tracks can cause a condition known as “slippery rail,” a challenge facing all railroads in the Northeast and other parts of the world where deciduous trees are prevalent. The decaying leaves create an oily residue that coats
World

Rail Accident Investigation Branch Makes Four Recommendations Following November 2023 Collision Probe

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch made four recommendations following the November 2023 collision between on-track machines near Strood, Kent. The first three are addressed to Network Rail High Speed, and the fourth to HS1 Ltd. The first recommendation aims to control the risks of operating engineering vehicles on the High Speed 1 line, while the second aims to keep staff working on the line safe by implementing a robust procedural framework. The third recommendation is that Network Rail High Speed ensure that internal recommendations and local actions are reviewed and implemented to reflect their intent and can be tracked and