Photo: Emily Moser, MTA Metro-North Railroad
Metro-North Railroad has announced the return of its innovative leaf-zapping Laser Train, now sporting a futuristic and retro look. The train, which uses lasers to remove the wet, slimy sludge caused by crushed fallen leaves on the tracks, has been wrapped in a bold new display that enhances its visibility to the public.
The Laser Train is not a new concept. It was first introduced by the Long Island Rail Road in 2017. Recognizing its potential, Metro-North adopted the technology, which has proven to be a game-changer in maintaining the efficiency of their services during the fall season.
Fallen leaves, when crushed by passing trains, create a slimy layer on the tracks. This ‘leaf sludge’ can cause delays by reducing the trains’ grip on the rails. The Laser Train combats this issue by using lasers to zap away the leaf sludge, ensuring smooth and timely operations.
The new look of the Laser Train is both futuristic and retro, reflecting Metro-North’s commitment to innovation while acknowledging the rich history of railroads. The bold new display is designed to make the train more visible to the public, highlighting Metro-North’s ongoing efforts to enhance their services.