> can affect some of the train location tech (axel counters). Er, I think you mean track circuits, don't you? Those work by virtue of the train's wheels and ax

> can affect some of the train location tech (axel counters). Er, I think you mean track circuits, don't you? Those work by virtue of the train's wheels and axles creating an electrical connection between the two running rails, and would therefore indeed be likely to be affected by a potentially isolating layer of leaves on the line. Axle counters on the other hand just detect the wheels by other means (usually contactless by magnetic or inductive sensing), so wouldn't be affected by the presence of leaves. Again the UK is more susceptible to problems in this regard because it's been almost exclusively using track circuits for train detection until comparatively recently – it's only in the last two decades that axle counters have started seeing more widespread usage.