Philadelphia (October 14, 2026) – SEPTA is taking precautions to prepare for slippery rail season, and the Authority is asking Regional Rail customers to plan for possible delays, especially during wet and windy weather.
Slippery rail is a condition that occurs when seasonal fall leaves are crushed by passing rail vehicles and deposit residue on the tracks. The residue decreases friction on train wheels and creates slippery rails. When this happens, SEPTA reduces travel speeds to maintain safe operations, specifically on inclines and declines, and when trains approach station platforms.
SEPTA is proactive about managing slippery rails, with crews deployed during overnight hours across the entire Regional Rail system. Crews have begun their nightly cleaning this week, with work expected to continue for six to eight weeks.
“Fall weather can be challenging, particularly on Regional Rail because of the wide swath of territory it covers,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “By slightly reducing speeds and working around the clock to clean the rails, we can maintain safe and reliable service for our customers.”
SEPTA crews use high-pressure washing equipment to power wash the rails and remove oily deposits. Then, a gel is placed in strategic intervals to provide more traction on the rails.
For real-time service updates, please visit septa.org/alerts, follow @SEPTA, or download the official SEPTA app.
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