Network Rail reveals shortlist of names for leaf-busting train, including Leaf-Fall Weapon and Pulp Friction
After names such as ‘Grit-ney Spears’ or ‘Boaty McBoatface’ have made the nation chuckle, you can now have your say on the new name of Network Rail’s leaf busting trains.
Leaves can cause havoc across Britain’s railway network, as when trains pass over leaves during periods of wet weather, the heat and weight of the trains bake them into a thin, slippery layer on the rail, as well as interfering with signalling systems and causing issues with trains accelerating and braking.
Network Rail’s fleet of leaf-busting trains will treat 1.12 million miles of track — the distance around the world approximately 40 times — between September and December, and one of these trains is set to be given its own name.
More than a thousand name suggestions were submitted by the public, including ‘Britney Clears’, ‘Buster Grimes’, ‘Don’t Stop De-Leafing’, and ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-Leaf Machiney’.
The winning name will be revealed on Thursday October 24.
Network Rail’s panel of judges: railway historian, presenter and author Tim Dunn, Minister of State for Rail, Lord Peter Hendy, and Network Rail’s seasonal delivery director Lisa Angus, chose the final four shortlisted names:
- Ctrl Alt De-leaf
- Leaf-Fall Weapon
- Pulp Friction
- The Autumn Avenger
Voting is now open at www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/can-you-help-name-one-of-our-leaf-busting-trains/, and closes at midnight on Friday October 11.
Railway author, presenter and historian Tim 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.”
Network Rail’s seasonal delivery director, Lisa Angus, added: “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.”
