Network Rail has signed a new five-year contract, worth approximately £850 million, to ensure its fleet of specialist autumn and winter treatment trains are ready to keep tracks clear and services running smoothly for passengers and freight. The deal, which includes options for three yearly extensions, will see the essential services operating from August 2025 through to 2030 and potentially beyond.
The extensive contract covers a range of crucial operations, including weedkilling, leaf-blasting, anti-icing, and snow ploughing. These measures are vital in combating the challenging conditions that autumn leaves and winter weather can pose to the railway network.
Adam Southern, Network Rail’s supply chain delivery director, explained the critical nature of these services: “Running trains reliably and safely in autumn and winter is a tough challenge and we rely heavily on specialist operators and equipment. Leaves on the line get crushed under train wheels and leave a material like black-ice on tracks, which can cause signals to fail and trains to slide. Ice on live rails can cause trains to stall and we all know the disruption that heavy snow can cause.”
He added, “These contracts with established hauliers see our fleet of treatment trains maintained and run well for the next five years at least, providing passengers and freight customers with a reliable service whatever the weather.”
A key element of the new contracts is the introduction of six re-engineered Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs). These vehicles, originally designed for overhead line work, are being adapted into seasonal units equipped with brand-new water jetting technology, which will alleviate pressure on the existing fleet. Furthermore, the agreements will pave the way for the integration of additional vehicles and new technologies as they are developed during the contract term.
Under the new arrangements, freight operator GB Railfreight will be responsible for running Network Rail’s MPVs in the north of the country, while Balfour Beatty will undertake the same role in the south. These MPVs play a crucial role in the autumn by water-jetting leaf mulch from the railhead and applying adhesion modifier – a mixture of sand, metal particles, and water. In winter, they apply anti-ice fluid and also provide some herbicide weed spraying services.
Locomotive-hauled Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTTs) will be jointly managed by Colas and GB Railfreight, with each operator overseeing different geographical circuits. RHTTs are specifically designed for water-jetting leaf mulch on longer stretches of track compared to the MPVs. Network Rail currently operates a fleet of 32 MPVs and 29 RHTTs across the country.
Finally, GB Railfreight will also be responsible for the upkeep of Network Rail’s ten Snow and Ice Treatment trains. Colas will handle snow clearance services, which include snow ploughs and Scotland’s specialised fleet of two snow blowers.
This significant investment in maintaining and operating the seasonal treatment fleet underscores Network Rail’s commitment to minimising disruption and ensuring a more reliable service for both passengers and freight operators during the challenging autumn and winter months.
