Network Rail is asking the public to name a new train that will help tackle leaves on the line this autumn.
More than 1,300 names were put forward for the new leaf-busting train, but after being whittled down by judges, the final four name choices are: The Autumn Avenger, Leaf-Fall Weapon, Ctrl Alt De-leaf, and Pulp Friction.
The winning name will be painted on the new train, which will help tackle leaves on the tracks this autumn.
Judges included railway historian, presenter, and author Tim Dunn; Minister of State for Rail, Lord Peter Hendy; and Network Rail’s seasonal delivery director, Lisa Angus.
Mr Dunn said: "Who needs Leafy McLeafFace when we have this shortlist of terrific - and really quite fitting - names to bestow upon one of these legendary leaf-busting behemoths.
"I knew Britain wouldn't let us down: entries ranged from the witty, clever and even touching - through to utterly shameless Dad-grade puns.
"It’s been a joy to be a part of the judging process to name a leaf-buster, my fellow judges and I found it tricky to narrow down all the brilliant entries to just four names.
"So a massive thank you to all those who took the time to submit a name – now it’s over to YOU, the British public.
"Head over to Network Rail’s website right now to vote for your preferred name for one of these ‘mulch’-loved machines."
Other names that did not make the final cut included ‘Britney Clears’, ‘Buster Grimes’, ‘Don’t Stop De-Leafing’, and ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-Leaf Machiney’.
Lisa Angus, Network Rail’s seasonal delivery director said: "We had a lot of fun reading through the name suggestions, so a huge thank you to everyone who took part.
"Though this competition is just a way of bringing some light-hearted ‘re-leaf’ this autumn, it’s been great to see a growing awareness of the serious problems leaves on the line pose to the railway, both here and across the world, and an appreciation of the mammoth task we undertake each year to keep passengers moving through the season."
Leaves on the line can cause a lot of issues for train services.
When trains pass over leaves, particularly during wet weather, the heat and weight of the trains bake them into a thin, slippery layer on the rail, similar to black ice on the roads.
This mulch can also interfere with signalling systems, forming a barrier between the train wheels and the electrical parts of the track that help us to pin-point where trains are, and cause issues with trains accelerating and braking.
That’s where Network Rail’s fleet of leaf-busting trains comes in.
These vehicles will treat 1.12 million miles of track, the distance around the world approximately 40 times, between September and December to keep you on the move this autumn.
Leaf-fall teams across Britain will be on hand 24/7 to scrub rails with a sand-based adhesive as required and clear tracks of debris to keep passengers on the move, informed by 'specialised leaf-fall forecasting' which helps prioritise the areas that need attention.
Alongside the tried and tested methods of keeping trains moving through autumn, different techniques and new technology are being used in different parts of the country by Network Rail.
Some passenger trains have been equipped with adhesion gel dispensers to complement the work of the specialist leaf-busters, drones will be used to identify high-risk areas and specially adapted Land Rovers known as ‘SandRovers’- which are road-rail vehicles that can clean and treat rails - will be used in Scotland.
Voting closes at midnight on Friday, October 11.
To vote, visit networkrail.co.uk/stories/can-you-help-name-one-of-our-leaf-busting-trains.
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