A few instances here:
1. Having arrived at the foot crossing near Kingsey to see the Wrexham trains due shortly, I found a southbound Chiltern turbo crawling along behind a cow (actually a bullock, I think)! 165 025 was the 14:12 Birmingham Snow Hill to Marylebone train, here somewhat delayed at 15:53. The bullock then moved to the side of the track and the train was able to pass. Not knowing whether the signaller was aware of the situation, I phoned the BT Police to ask them to pass on the information. It seems the signaller was aware as all approaching trains were reduced to a crawl, and after a short while people appeared from local farms and Network Rail to try and get the animal off the track. Saturday 3rd May 2008.
2. BR Standard 5MT No. 73096 has the brakes hard on at Froxfield Lower Lock alongside the Kennet & Avon canal due to a large ram on the line! This had wandered along earlier and had nowhere to go when the train arrived going at full throttle on the climb to Savernake. Although the engine didn't hit, it was caught by one of the coaches and sustained injuries. The train ground to a standstill in a very short space, but resumed its journey after a minute or so. Saturday 8th November 2003.
3. Four feet in the four foot! This fox may not be wearing a Hi-Vixen vest but at least she is correctly facing oncoming traffic as she perhaps searches out her quarry at Ardley Quarry, north of Bicester. 16:12, Thursday 12th May 2011.
Cheers, Geoff