... and today's most unusual official rail tweet .. alleged roaming large feline

[whole diary]

[RailCornwall]

Passengers are currently unable to alight from trains at Shepley due to reports by police of a lion in the area.

from ^..

NATIONALRAILENQ on TWITTER
06-Nov-2011 @ 17:37

[JayMac]

Very much reminded of Reggie Perrin:

"Twenty-two minutes late, escaped puma, Chessington North."

Regarding Shepley the disruption is only on the mane line though. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Oh, fur goodness sake ... 

[JayMac]

According to West Yorkshire Police, the area is now clear.

Taking pride in their work obviously.

[grahame]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/11/06/reports-of-escaped-lion-c_n_1078629.html?ref=uk&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Lion sighting reports disrupt rail service

Passengers were not allowed to leave a train at a West Yorkshire village after reports a lion and a cub had "jumped on the tracks".

West Yorkshire Police said they had received two separate reports of a lion and or lion cub in the area of Shepley, close to Huddersfield.

The 16:50 GMT service from Retford to Huddersfield stopped at Shepley where passengers got on but not off.

A police helicopter was scrambled to search the area but found nothing. Twelve officers also searched the area on foot.

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "We had two unconfirmed reports of a lion and or lion cub in the Huddersfield area at 15:30. We searched the area with the assistance of a helicopter but have not located anything as yet. Enquiries are ongoing."

Train operator Northern Rail said passengers were allowed on to the train when it called at Shepley at 16:52 GMT, but those on the train were not allowed off. A spokeswoman said the company took the action after being advised by Network Rail that a lion and a cub had been spotted on train tracks in the area.

A spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies said: "Someone called West Yorkshire Police to say there is a lion that's just jumped on to the train tracks."

The Northern Rail spokeswoman said police were treating the incident as a hoax - but West Yorkshire Police said they did not wish to add to their earlier statement.

Northern Rail could not confirm how many people were on the train at time or whether an announcement had been made to passengers. She said no delays were caused.

National Rail had earlier tweeted: "Passengers are currently unable to alight from trains at Shepley due to reports by police of a lion in the area."

At 17:00 GMT National Rail said services had returned to normal at Shepley.

Police said the search would resume on Monday if there were any more reports of sightings.

Personally, I'd prefer to search for a possible escaped lion from a helicopter, rather than on foot ... 

[JayMac]

Personally, I'd prefer to search for a possible escaped lion from a helicopter, rather than on foot ... 

The last time a Constabulary used a helicopter following the sighting of a large feline......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13507026

 

[northwesterntrains]

According to West Yorkshire Police, the area is now clear.

The Guardian reported they asked around if anyone knew where a loose Lion had come from.  I didn't know West Yorkshire Police really acted like the Police off Last of the Summer Wine.

[LiskeardRich]

Was there a zoo nearby that may of reported a lost lion, otherwise we could of instantly discovered it a hoax. The most stupidest bit is they've  closed the case unless someone else reports a sighting. How many hoax's is that asking for!