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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Biggie" data-source="post: 303084" data-attributes="member: 24034">DFF and Lashes, Enjoying you posting as I do here.... But if I could just say...As silly and apocryphal as it sounds, and considered material for a comedic turn as long as I can recall. Leaves on track are a serious problem. If the track is using the third rail pick up, the leaves can get caught up between the live rail and the locomotive's contact causing the locomotive to loose power. Snow can potentially do the same. Wet leaves also decrease friction between the train's wheels and the rail, degrading the braking efficacy of the train. Suspending train services are not a decision taken lightly. It has a huge knock on effect. The Pantograph system being rolled will help but not eradicate problems caused by leaves and snow on tracks.</blockquote>