By Federica Bedendo

Copyright bbc

The new cryogenic technology, developed by engineers at the University of Sheffield, blasts dry ice pellets in a “stream of air at supersonic speed”.

Roger Lewis, a professor of mechanical engineering at the university, said the system could “revolutionise” how railways were cleaned.

“[It could] cut delays for passengers and save the industry some of the millions it loses to leaves on the line every year,” he said.

The train running on the North East railway line will not be carrying passengers and is scheduled to operate between ordinary services.

Rob Cummings, Northern’s seasonal performance improvement manager, said: “Some people like to make jokes about wet leaves on the line, but when you have steel wheels running on a steel rail, any slippery substance that affects the grip is a big problem.”

Northern said if the trial was successful, the technology could be used on trains carrying passengers.