Iarnród Éireann revised Autumn Timetable to counteract challenges of Leaf Fall at peak times
Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail are advising customers that a revised Autumn timetable will take effect from Monday 21st September until 12th December in the greater Dublin area, to reflect the impact of seasonal leaf fall on rail services.
This is the second such iteration of an Autumn timetable for Ireland’s rail network, following a successful introduction for the 2025 leaf fall season.
Changes will be made to morning and evening peak services on DART and Dublin Commuter routes and will see journey times extended primarily by 1 – 3 minutes at these times. The adjustments will allow trains to operate more safely in low-adhesion conditions and helps minimise delays and improve punctuality.
Customers are particularly asked to note earlier departure times on morning services.
Autumn leaf fall causes low rail adhesion, with leaves – especially in damp and wet autumnal conditions – creating a greasy layer on the rail that is the equivalent of black ice on roads. To ensure safety, train drivers must drive more cautiously and accelerate and decelerate more slowly at times when rails are affected.
The revised timetable will therefore reflect the restrictive nature of service operation during this challenging time of the year for train services.
Main changes in Autumn timetable
- Morning services on DART and Dublin Commuter routes will be slightly advanced in the morning with the aim to achieve scheduled arrival times at destination.
- Evening services on DART and Dublin Commuter routes will depart as scheduled from origin with additional time added towards destination
- Journey times are extended primarily between 1-3 minutes for more information please visit irishrail.ie and please check your times before travelling.
There are no changes to Intercity and other routes. The Autumn timetable will run up to 12th December with the new national timetable then commencing on 13th December.
How Iarnród Éireann works to reduce low rail adhesion
- Vegetation Management: Trees and vegetation are proactively managed to reduce leaf fall and other risks, while complying with environmental and biodiversity requirements. Significant investment is made each year in vegetation management and tree felling with drone technology helping identify at-risk trees.
- Specialised Water-Jetting: A Multi-Purpose Vehicle uses high-pressure water jets to clean contamination from the railhead to improve grip.
- Traction Gel Applicators (TGAs): 131 solar powered TGAs are installed across the network in known LRA hotspots. When a train passes over the unit, it automatically dispenses traction gel which improves the grip between the wheel and rail interface.
- Targeted Treatments: Specialist railhead treatments, including biodegradable cleaning products, are applied at known problem locations to improve traction. These treatments allow rapid intervention at known problem locations.
- On-Board Sanding Equipment: All Iarnród Éireann trains are equipped with on board sanding systems, which dispense sand when wheel slip is detected. Drivers can also manually dispense sand when required.
- Data Collection: A dedicated team of people continuously work on ways of tackling the issues LRA present. Continuous monitoring and recording forms the basis of a valuable database to allow Iarnród Éireann focus on specific LRA contributory elements, such as known hotspots.
For more information on low rail adhesion, please see our 'Leaves On The Railway Line' page.