Train operator asks passengers to choose name for its depot pussy

A stray and neglected cat wandered into the Barrow-on-Furness train care centre two years ago and, after being fed by staff, never left!

Staff have provided the cat with two beds and fund food and vet bills. In return she helps keep the local mice population under control. Officially known as ‘The Cat’, staff have decided that she is deserving of a ‘proper’ name.After producing a shortlist of four names – Mooch, Birdie, Sassy and Debbie – staff are asking customers to pick one during a vote on Northern's Instagram today.

Neil Cornforth, a senior team leader for Northern, said: “Everyone looks after her, even the drivers come down and bring her food. She’s a cracking little cat and she’s really friendly. She catches mice around the place and there are a few other cats who try and infiltrate the depot, but she keeps them away because she knows she’s got a good thing here. We were thinking about giving her a name and we came up with a dozen before drawing four out of a hat. We’re looking forward to finding out which one people prefer.”

Railway books that the public were never meant to read. Gleaned from internal reports and staff directly involved in incidents, the  'A Funny Thing Happened on the Train'  books are a combination of history,horror and humour – most of which has never been in the public domain, until now! First two books in the trilogy are now down to limited stock. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Train to London': https://www.chimewhistle.co.uk/shop/p/a-funny-thing-happened-on-the-train-to-london and 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Train to the Midlands': https://www.chimewhistle.co.uk/shop/p/afunnythinghappenedonthetraintothemidlands