Why falling leaves slow commuter trains every fall
Caroline AylwardJonathan  Belles
ByCaroline AylwardandJonathan Belles•
4 days agoUpdated: November 7, 2026, 7:44 am ESTPublished: November 6, 2026, 8:53 am EST

Slippery rail season is here, and crushed fallen leaves on wet tracks could make trains slide right past their stations. New York's MTA says crushed leaves leave a slick film called pectin on the rails, and damp, windy mornings are the worst. Here's why it happens and when to plan for commute delays.

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