NJ Transit Deploys Second AquaTrack Unit for Leaf Cleaning

NJ Transit is stepping up its annual battle against Mother Nature and fallen leaves on the rails. Based on the success of its original leaf-clearing unit, NJ Transit is deploying a second AquaTrack machine throughout the fall season. 

The equipment is a high-pressure power-washing system which removes leaves and oily residue from the tracks in an effort to prevent train delays caused by “slippery rail” conditions.

The second AquaTrack unit will allow the cleaning process to maintain a larger coverage area in helping to prevent delays.

“While there is no way to completely eliminate the effect Mother Nature has on the railroad, the AquaTrack unit has had great success in prior years when it comes to managing leaf-related slippage on our rails,” said NJ Transit Executive Director Steve Santoro. “By utilizing these two highly specialized pieces of equipment, we can keep the rails free and clear of fallen leaves, which increases safety and keep trains running on time.”

Fallen leaves left on rail tracks can cause a condition known as “slippery rail” – a challenge facing all railroads in the Northeast and other parts of the world where deciduous trees are prevalent. The decaying leaves create an oily residue that coats the rails and causes poor traction. The decreased train speeds, in turn, create delays.

The AquaTrack system has been in use by NJ Transit since October 2003.  It consists of two 250-horsepower diesel-engine units mounted on a flat car with an operator control cab. Two pressure-pump units dispense water up to 20,000 pounds-per-square-inch directly to the top of the rail. The process uses 17 gallons of water per minute.

Traditionally, the original AquaTrack operated primarily on the M&E and Montclair-Boonton lines, which are particularly challenged including the hilly areas around Glen Ridge and Summit stations, washing the rails twice a day Monday through Friday—once overnight and again during midday hours. On weekends, the Pascack Valley and Main/Bergen County lines are usually covered. The addition of a second unit will add cleaning on the Raritan Valley and North Jersey Coast Lines. 

In addition to AquaTrack, NJ Transit also strategically spreads sand on the rails in front of peak-period trains to increase traction. NJ Transit also trims trees to help stem the amount of leaves on the tracks. The leaf clearing operation runs from mid-October through mid-December.