Cows on line at Nuneaton

[Deepgreen]

From the BBC News web site:

Cows delay trains after invading station

Services were unable to moo-ve after cows trotted along railway lines.

www.bbc.co.uk

​

Nuneaton: Invasion of cows causes train delays​

Nuneaton: Invasion of cows causes train delaysClose

Trains were unable to moo-ve through a station on Friday after cows invaded the railway lines.
The herd was seen trotting through Nuneaton station just before 11:00.
Network Rail halted trains while the animals were safely moved away, and joked: "Please don’t look the udder way if you see any."
Trains resumed their journeys after about an hour and Network Rail said they had spoken to a farmer about not letting his cattle loose on the railway again.
Published23 hours ago
SectionBBC News
SubsectionCoventry & Warwickshire


I imagine this could have been disastrous had it occurred outwith the station environs (i.e. with people around to see and report the issue) - Polmont springs to mind.

 

[neil9327]

They were trying to catch the milk train.

 

[Deepgreen]

They were trying to catch the milk train.

About fifty years too late! More seriously, I'm surprised this story hasn't popped up here before now - it happened yesterday. Have I over-estimated the potential consequences of a herd of cows loose on the WCML? Were trains stopped immediately, or were trains and cows potentially in conflict? It all seems very low key.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

There was a serious accident in July 1984 near Polmont station in Central Scotland, when a cow on the track somehow derailed an Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street train travelling at some speed.

13 people killed and over 60 injured.

 

[306024]

Cows also derailed a Liverpool St - Witham service near Hatfield Peverel in the evening peak many years ago. Only one bogie of a 12 car 321 but potentially dangerous. Fortunately it was nearing the end of its journey so few passengers involved on the derailed train.

 

[Steve Harris]

Cows also took the brake pipes off a Class 153 on the Newquay branch back in the late 90's.

About 6-10 passengers on board (who detrained and walked forward to St Columb Rd for taxis) none of which were injured. The Scud/Dogbox stayed upright and didn't derail. Unfortunately 1 cow died instantly and the other had to be put down/destroyed.

 

[philosopher]

I wonder how far this herd of cows had travelled? Looking at Google maps the nearest fields that look like they could be used for grazing are at least a kilometre north of the station.

 

[Ediswan]

I wonder how far this herd of cows had travelled? Looking at Google maps the nearest fields that look like they could be used for grazing are at least a kilometre north of the station.

Good point. Canal Farm looks like a plausible origin.

 

[swt_passenger]

Amazing none were hit, but maybe they had herd immunity….

 

[Class 170101]

Amazing none were hit, but maybe they had herd immunity….

Or the mooved out of the way <coat>

 

[PHILIPE]

Is this true? Pull the udder one

 

[ArkUTD]

So my sister was involved in this, her train was stuck at Hinckley for 2 hours before they could move them between 10am and 12pm, according to the driver, they had gotten onto the railway between Hinckley and Nuneaton and headed towards the station.

 

[QueensCurve]

There was a serious accident in July 1984 near Polmont station in Central Scotland, when a cow on the track somehow derailed an Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street train travelling at some speed.

13 people killed and over 60 injured.

Polmont derailment in 1984.

The accident report.

 

[JKF]

I hope the legendary phrase ‘bovine incursion’ has been used by station announcers.

 

[Spartacus]

I wonder how far this herd of cows had travelled? Looking at Google maps the nearest fields that look like they could be used for grazing are at least a kilometre north of the station.

Padge Hall Farm crossing, about 3 miles towards Hinckley. Young bulls (almost always the biggest pains, if they're in the right mind they'll do what they, or most likely their leader, wants, and there's little you can do to stop them) got spooked, stampeded and broke down the gate (along with knocking down the farmer) before setting off towards Nuneaton. Really, at the reasonable pace they were going they could have gone on for miles more, but they were corralled in the Network Rail depot near Aston Road where their own progress was taking them. They were spotted a good while before they reached the WCML so no real risk there unless one had decided to charge something.....

 

[Shimbleshanks]

I hope the legendary phrase ‘bovine incursion’ has been used by station announcers.

They should have that off pat...

 

[Dr_Paul]

There was a thread on this site in 2015 about a South-Eastern EMU that was derailed after hitting a cow. There was quite a bit of damage to the first carriage and to the track.