[ThomasJ]

A fairly serious incident on the UK railways as a result of wheelslip.
From daily mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...aves-line.html

A major investigation has been launched after a commuter train slid at speed for more than two miles because of leaves on the line.
The train from Charing Cross sped through one station at 65mph and then over a level crossing before finally coming to a stop.
The terrified driver had immediately contacted signal control to raise the alarm. He told investigators how he put on the brakes when approaching Stonegate station in East Sussex but the train failed to slow.

It had been travelling to Hastings on November 8 when the problem occurred.

The level crossing was fortunately closed to cars and pedestrians at the time and there were no red signals on the route.
Rail bosses are stunned by the incident and thankful no one was hurt.
'The thought of what possibly could have happened at the level crossing is just too horrible to imagine,' one senior source told the Evening Standard.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: 'At around 8.10am, the train encountered poor adhesion conditions as its driver applied the brakes to make a scheduled stop at Stonegate station while travelling at about 65mph.
'The train was unable to stop and came to a stand some 2.45 miles beyond the station.' The RAIB said: 'The investigation will identify the reasons for the train's inability to stop normally. It will also examine the arrangements for the servicing and maintenance of the rail head [surface] sanding equipment on the trains used on the Charing Cross-Hastings line.'
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Train operator Southeastern and Network Rail, which is responsible for the tracks, have joined forces and set up their own investigation.
A Network Rail spokesman said: 'The train had green signals and a clear route ahead.'
Every winter, Network Rail spends tens of millions of pounds keeping the tracks clear of leaves.

Rain and wind produce the worst conditions.
The wind blows the leaves on to the tracks where they stick on the wet lines. The first train along then crushes them into a substance similar to black ice on the roads.
Investigators will also look at whether a fault with the train was to blame.
The longest previous train slide caused by leaves on the line happened at Slough station 15 years ago.
A train approaching a dead-end platform at 56mph slid for 1,300 yards - about three-quarters of a mile - on the slippery track.
The front coach smashed into the buffers, mounted the platform, careered across the concourse and demolished the station buffet.
Miraculously only two people, including the train driver Paul Farrell, 29, were injured