Severn Valley pilots weed killer train
A NEW weed-killing train for the national network has been tested on the Severn Valley Railway.
The Smart Weed System Train, which arrived in mid-June, is a project by Bayer Environmental Science, GB Railfreight, Network Rail and several hi-tech start-ups.
A ROGS (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006) exemption certificate was obtained from the Office of Rail and Road in order to allow 35mph running on the heritage line.
The train uses special on-board detection cameras and algorithms to detect the density and type of weeds along a railway line, and delivers a targeted, calibrated dose of herbicide at just the right time and place. It is the first of three which will go into service on the main line.
Teams from Bayer and the SVR worked an intensive programme of 12-hour overnight shifts for almost three weeks during a complicated array of tests and recalibrations.
The first three nights were worked by home-based Class 50s Nos. 50035 and 50049, which were later replaced by GBRf Class 66s No. 66709 Sorrento and No. 66771 Amanda.
Tests were run over a 220-yard section of track between the Bewdley South Down Distant signal and the mouth of Bewdley tunnel. The Bayer team placed their own weeds at strategic points on the track and on tarpaulins trackside, so they could determine the accuracy of the train's performance.
The system delivered plain water rather than herbicide.
Bayer's engineering manager, Manuel Celis, said: “We had great work from the SVR in this regard, and they were able to comply with all our requirements; we're really happy with the result.”