Station cats

[Francesca]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Francesca]

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]

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]

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]

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.