Geese on the Line Cause Disruption to South-Western Services — 19 April

[Dr_Paul]

I saw somewhere on the internet that South-Western services on the Windsor Line had been disrupted because of animals on the line between Mortlake and Richmond, and was puzzled as I know the area well and was unable to think of anywhere any farm animals might have gained access to the track, as there are no farms near the railway. According to the Evening Standard it turns out that there were geese on the line at North Sheen station.

South Western Railway (SWR) alerted passengers to potential cancellations or delays after animals were spotted on the rail line between Mortlake and Richmond.


A driver had to halt his train when a flock of waterfowl ambled onto the tracks at North Sheen station.

I once saw a dead turkey in the six-foot on the South-Western lines at Richmond station, but it had been plucked and was oven-ready, as they say in the adverts. How it got there is anyone's guess.

 

[Elecman]

On the BBC news site

 

[Trackman]

I once saw a dead turkey in the six-foot on the South-Western lines at Richmond station, but it had been plucked and was oven-ready, as they say in the adverts. How it got there is anyone's guess.

Are you sure it was a Turkey?, could have been a chicken? or did you see it on December 24th lol.

 

[ScottGallagher]

It's usually the swans down that way isn't it. Do Network Rail get to pay for the delay minutes as they are on the track?

 

[davews]

I did notice while waiting for the 0903 at Martins Heron on Friday that the information board on the other platform said the 0917 was delayed 'by animals on the railway'. They never state what animals and it must have been only for a short while as other trains, and my own in to Waterloo, were bang on time.

 

[norbitonflyer]

I saw somewhere on the internet that South-Western services on the Windsor Line had been disrupted because of animals on the line between Mortlake and Richmond, and was puzzled as I know the area well and was unable to think of anywhere any farm animals might have gained access to the track, as there are no farms near the railway. According to the Evening Standard it turns out that there were geese on the line at North Sheen station.

I once saw a dead turkey in the six-foot on the South-Western lines at Richmond station, but it had been plucked and was oven-ready, as they say in the adverts. How it got there is anyone's guess.

We've had swans dealying trains on Kingston railway bridge

 

[SynthD]

These two Twitter posts have media showing two Egyptian geese. https://x.com/stesloan/status/1781235771682308350 https://x.com/sarickwoodsarah/status/1781327500162777230

 

[Thames99]

And three chicks between mum and dad.

 

[norbitonflyer]

And three chicks between mum and dad.

And a fourth between the LH running rail and the live one!

 

[joystick]

They needed to be caught really as the nearest water is a long way.

 

[norbitonflyer]

They needed to be caught really as the nearest water is a long way.

A good half mile, which is a long way for those goslings to walk (and with a dual carriageway in the way). It makes you wonder how they got there in the first place

 

[Cricketer8for9]

A good half mile, which is a long way for those goslings to walk (and with a dual carriageway in the way). It makes you wonder how they got there in the first place

Because Egyptian Geese nest in trees (incidentally they are ducks rather than geese despite the name). The parents can fly.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Because Egyptian Geese nest in trees (incidentally they are ducks rather than geese despite the name). The parents can fly.

I've seen Egyptian geese perching in trees, but I've never seen them nest there. How would the goslings have got down from the tree before they can fly?

 

[Cricketer8for9]

They jump. They are very light and thus don’t hit the ground at any speed.