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-   -   Station cats (https://www.railwayforum.net/showthread.php?t=6269)

Francesca 9th December 2009 09:53

Station cats
 
Hi
I am currently writing an article about cats and railway stations, yards, signal boxes etc and have had some great feedback so far. I know about cats from Kirkby Stephen, Inverness, Tonbridge, Bluebell Railway, Whitby, Manchester Oxford Road, Rochdale, Petersfield, Dee Marsh, Great Central and East Lancashire. I heard there was one at Waterloo station in the 1960s (featured in Terminus) but I can't find out what his name was. Also, does anyone know of any other cats past or current?

Thanks for any help with this.

Francesca

martin adamson 9th December 2009 12:48

I remember reading about one at Aberdeen, but I don't know many details. Also I think there is one at Shotton station but I'm not too sure.

Interesting idea for an article.

Audiman M6 AEN 9th December 2009 13:38

I remember as a young lad going to Blackpool shed and being given a black kitten. I nursed and loved that kitten all the way home on the train back to Leyland.
When I arrived home my father did not approve and I was forced to find a new home for it, which I did.
It went through life a very happy cat at a nearby neighbours house.

Alan

ccmmick 9th December 2009 14:51

Hi Francesca

My late cat tom lived in the railway goods yard at St Blazey Depot in Cornwall.
He used to follow me to work on early turns and walk right in the depot with me
there was always a saucer of milk and some food for him.
My work mates used to call him Tiger.
He was a real character.

ccmmick.

ccmmick 9th December 2009 18:44

I was thinking to myself which is not very often but i think Station Cats are old railwaymen from a past life.
So i must be going to be a big Ginger Tom and yes i have had a couple.

ccmmick.

mb.ireland 9th December 2009 19:15

I learnt today that a cat as been adopted at Ulverston ( Cumbria) station by Transpenine Staff.

Francesca 10th December 2009 15:09

Thanks guys! I shall make my investigations into the stations mentioned. I especially like the thought that station cats are reincarnated old railway men, it makes sense!

Francesca

Shimbleshanks 1st January 2010 20:29

Barbican station cat
 
There used to be a black and white cat that had been adopted by the staff at Barbican underground station. It (he?) used to sleep on top of the ticket barrier, despite all the noise of crashing machinery and thousands of passengers clumping through. I tried poking him a few times and he just wouldn't wake up, just carried on slumbering.
He died a few years ago, of natural causes, I think.

ccmmick 1st January 2010 20:44

Away from railways
In St Austell WH Smiths had a black and white cat he would sleep an a chair behind the counter he was quite a celebrity hes also been on telly.

ccmmick.

StoneRoad 1st January 2010 20:46

Railway cats
 
Until quite recently the Boston Lodge works had several cats. (I do not know if there is one resident at present) However, at the time I am thinking of, some years ago now, it was not uncommon to find one asleep on one footplate or another! - basically anywhere warm! The other place was in the sawdust/shavings in the carriage 'shop. In fact, one member of staff was heard to remark that 'we don't build carriages, this place is a cat litter production facility'!! And once, in the early 1980s, I took a cat to Bleanau and back (the cheeky object had slept under the seat in the first class!)

The other place to find cats was near to the volunteer hostels - some railway volunteers can be suckers for the 'silent miaow', and virtually lived in! Although one black and white jellical did have a proper home just up the road he could often be found waiting for a cuddle! when I got back.:D

Seabrook 1st January 2010 23:03

From my own experience cats adopt the places where they are found. You only need to feed a stray a few times and you have an passing lodger for life. They have their food, quick kip in their favourite place and then they go on their way. By no stretch of the imagination do they ever become your cat. The Diesel Repair Shops at Stratford had a small cat called Sansom in the 80's, who was a notably brave ratter. Traincrews on the other hand tend to detest them. Places like Willesden HL Sdgs and Bescot Messroom had cats. If you did not know, you could sit on their favourite chair and your trousers would be covered in their hairs. I will admit I personally did not like them in Messrooms!

Squeaky88 1st January 2010 23:15

hi Francesca my friend used to own Christow station and he had a female cat called Ginger who purred loudly.

Squeaky

boilersuit 2nd January 2010 06:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seabrook (Post 37562)
By no stretch of the imagination do they ever become your cat.

Seabrook makes a very salient point here. We do not own cats. In fact it can be argued that they own us.

Michael 28th January 2010 08:25

Gromont station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway has a cat, or Rodent Control Officer as he's known. His domain is around the engine shed and his cat-house is near the grave of his predecessor at the entrance to the foot tunnel. According to the "Yorkshire Steam" DVD, all the stations on the NYMR have a cat!

Belmont Road 28th January 2010 09:43

On Island Line at Shanklin there was a station cat that I think was on the payroll! I understand that cats were sometimes on payroll (feeding) to keep mice and rats down in depots and stations. The Island Line cat used to take occasional train rides up to Ryde Pier and back. The staff advised that he used to know where to get off when the train returned to Shanklin. He used to sleep on the ticket machine in the booking office the travelling public loved him!

wyvern 28th January 2010 10:28

The Rail Cat
by George Dixon



(George Dixon is quite famous for his tales of the days of black and white

redudley 28th January 2010 13:18

Station cats
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ccmmick (Post 35850)
I was thinking to myself which is not very often but i think Station Cats are old railwaymen from a past life.
So i must be going to be a big Ginger Tom and yes i have had a couple.

ccmmick.

Of cats or pints

ccmmick 28th January 2010 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by redudley (Post 40123)
Of cats or pints

Both
But one of my cats died last october and he was a real character he used to follow me to work on early turns and walk right into the depot with me i only lived half a mile away, all the blokes used to call him Tiger :( :( :(

ccmmick.

wyvern 28th January 2010 13:29

From Rudyard Kipling:

" I am the Cat who walks by himself, and all places are alike to me."

Dave Rowland 28th January 2010 13:32

"Tiger, tiger, burning bright, watch out - you'll set the jungle alight" - Spike Milligan :)

Anon Mouse 28th January 2010 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimbleshanks (Post 37536)
There used to be a black and white cat that had been adopted by the staff at Barbican underground station. It (he?) used to sleep on top of the ticket barrier, despite all the noise of crashing machinery and thousands of passengers clumping through. I tried poking him a few times and he just wouldn't wake up, just carried on slumbering.
He died a few years ago, of natural causes, I think.

sounds like he had already passed away.........

Anon Mouse 28th January 2010 23:24

http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/featuring/wk-rail01.html

Now this feline is the ultimate station cat! :)

ccmmick 28th January 2010 23:27

I like that is Tama the station master.

ccmmick.

Gandalf 28th January 2010 23:44

This is the ultimate station cat
 
1 Attachment(s)
Should be good for detering troublemakers.
John (G)

ccmmick 28th January 2010 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandalf (Post 40174)
Should be good for detering troublemakers.
John (G)

Thats more like it :D :D :D.

ccmmick.

ccmmick 31st January 2010 19:24

Cats
I like cats my three daughters took me to the wildlife centre near Ashford a couple of years ago and what a day Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Cheaters and more.
I would have loved to bring one home on the 10.30 Riviera i think i would have had the train to myself :D :D :D.

ccmmick.


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