Public chooses Ctrl Alt Deleaf as name for leaf-clearing train

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"A leaf-removal train hailed as an important part of Network Rail's fleet has been named Ctrl Alt Deleaf after a public vote. Designed to blast leaf mulch from tracks, the specialised vehicle will deploy from Effingham Junction, Surrey, next week. The name puns on the computer command Control-Alt-Delete. Britain's 20,000-mile railway network contends with an estimated 500 billion leaves annually."

"These cause significant autumn disruption by sticking to damp rails and compressing under train wheels. The resulting thick, slippery layer, similar to black ice, reduces train grip and can prevent signallers from detecting a train's presence on new track sections. Speed restrictions are imposed in an attempt to reduce accidents, such as the crash between two trains outside a tunnel near Salisbury, Wiltshire in October 2021 which left 13 passengers and one driver requiring hospital treatment."

The Independent deploys reporters across topics including reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech and relies on donations to fund on-the-ground journalism. The outlet presents reporting without paywalls and seeks support from readers who can afford to pay. Network Rail has named a new leaf-removal vehicle Ctrl Alt Deleaf after a public vote. The specialised train will blast leaf mulch from tracks and will operate from Effingham Junction, Surrey. Britain's 20,000-mile network faces about 500 billion leaves annually that stick to damp rails, creating a slippery, black-ice-like layer that reduces grip and impairs train detection, prompting speed restrictions and safety concerns.

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