VRE sent this advisory today.
“To minimize the effects of leaf oil on the Manassas Line, we are rotating some trains so that the locomotive is on the rear (north end) of the train. Since the Quiet Car is always located next to the locomotive, passengers wishing to ride in the Quiet Car must wait at the north end of the platforms.”
http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/VAVRE-5ef2ee
When this topic comes up I wonder if the lead car or locomotive could have a scraper mounted to it in order to reduce the problems of leaf oil.