{"id":308054,"date":"2025-10-28T02:35:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T16:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railuk.com\/?p=184512"},"modified":"2025-10-28T02:35:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T16:35:00","slug":"scotlands-railway-invests-7-7m-in-new-technology-to-tackle-leaves-on-the-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=308054","title":{"rendered":"Scotland\u2019s Railway invests \u00a37.7m in new technology to tackle leaves on the track"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/railuk.com\/infrastructure\/permanent-way\/scotlands-railway-invests-7-7m-in-new-technology-to-tackle-leaves-on-the-track\/\" title=\"Scotland\u2019s Railway invests \u00a37.7m in new technology to tackle leaves on the track\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"485\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122056\/DVRS-trial-1_cropped-485x360.jpg\" class=\"webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;\" link_thumbnail=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122056\/DVRS-trial-1_cropped-485x360.jpg 485w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122056\/DVRS-trial-1_cropped-80x60.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Scotland\u2019s Railway is investing \u00a37.7m to upgrade the braking systems on more than 70 ScotRail trains, aiming to improve safety and performance during the challenging autumn season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Leaves on the tracks is the railway\u2019s equivalent of black ice on the road. It creates a thin, slippery layer that can make it harder for trains to accelerate and brake, leading to longer journey times and, occasionally, service disruption.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To help tackle this, a system to improve adhesion, known as Double Variable Rate Sanding (DVRS), is being fitted to ScotRail\u2019s Class 170 fleet, with Single Variable Rate Sanding (SVRS) on its Class 158 fleet.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-wistia-inc wp-block-embed-wistia-inc\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Network Rail Scotland- DVRS ScotRail Trial Video\" src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.net\/embed\/iframe\/8oikjput4m?dnt=1#?secret=Gcx1cgnGMQ\" data-secret=\"Gcx1cgnGMQ\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Each system automatically adjusts the amount of sand applied between the wheels and the rail according to the train\u2019s speed, improving grip and reducing stopping distances in slippery conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>DVRS was successfully trialled on a Class 170 near Inverness in July, then again in Edinburgh earlier this month in a direct comparison trial between a DVRS fitted Class 170 and a non-DVRS fitted Class 170.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The trial showed measurable improvements in braking performance under low-adhesion conditions, which will help trains run more smoothly and on time through the autumn and winter months, helping give customers greater confidence in the reliability of their journey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kristian Peacock, interim head of performance at Network Rail Scotland said:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;\u201cThis trial is a&nbsp; great example of what we can achieve by working together across the rail industry to solve joint problems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDuring autumn, there are unique challenges for performance and we always like to try new things to reduce the impact on train services. The data so far from our DVRS system is really encouraging. It\u2019s a simple solution that should make a real difference.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are excited to see what the future of managing seasonal issues like leaf fall will look like, and I&#8217;m confident that DVRS tech will play a part in that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Installation work is now underway, with 12 Class 170s and one Class 158 ready for this Autumn. ScotRail will monitor the effectiveness of the technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A full rollout of the new DVRS system on all 34 Class 170 and SRVS system on 40 Class 158 trains is expected to complete by summer 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cSlippery rails are one of the biggest challenges we face every autumn, and we know how frustrating it can be when leaf fall causes delays or cancellations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" data-id=\"184516\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2-1024x572.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-184516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2-1024x572.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2-752x420.png 752w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2-696x389.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2-1068x597.png 1068w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-2.png 1305w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" data-id=\"184517\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3-1024x572.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-184517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3-1024x572.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3-751x420.png 751w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3-696x389.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3-1068x597.png 1068w, https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122048\/DVRS-trial-3.png 1306w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cBy investing in this new technology, we\u2019re helping our trains perform better in tough conditions which will improve safety, reduce the risk of disruption, and deliver more reliable journeys for our customers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s another example of innovation making a real difference for customers, and how working together across Scotland\u2019s Railway continues to deliver improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The investment is supported by the Scotland\u2019s Railway Joint Innovation Fund, which promotes safer, more reliable, and more efficient services through cross-industry collaboration. It follows extensive research led by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), with successful tests on several types of train across Britain\u2019s rail network.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Image credit: Network Rail<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/railuk.com\/infrastructure\/permanent-way\/scotlands-railway-invests-7-7m-in-new-technology-to-tackle-leaves-on-the-track\/\" title=\"Scotland\u2019s Railway invests \u00a37.7m in new technology to tackle leaves on the track\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"485\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.railuk.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/27122056\/DVRS-trial-1_cropped-485x360.jpg\" class=\"webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"><\/a>Scotland\u2019s Railway is investing \u00a37.7m to upgrade the braking systems on more than 70 ScotRail trains, aiming to improve safety and performance during the challenging autumn season.\u00a0 Leaves on the tracks is the railway\u2019s equivalent of black ice on the road. It creates a thin, slippery layer that can make it harder for trains to [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16017,343,16015,47,16148,48,16016,85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-308054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-industry-news","category-infrastructure","category-permanent-way","category-rail-news","category-rail-projects","category-technology","category-train-operating-companies","category-uk"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=308054"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308054\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":308055,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308054\/revisions\/308055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=308054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=308054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=308054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}