At Grosmont Station in the North Yorkshire Moors, the newest employees are already turning heads, and tails. Meet Titch, Clinker, and Ash, three black strays who went from sleeping rough to becoming full-time staff members on one of the UK’s most beloved heritage railway lines.
“We’ve always had shed cats, for many, many years and they all do a great job for us, looking after the rodent population and being lovely for the public,” said Grosmont Station shop supervisor Simon Wall.
When their previous mouser passed away, the railway line was on the lookout for a replacement, until this shadowy little trio showed up on their own. Black as shadows and cute as buttons, they were perfect for the job of both mousing and guest-charming.
And while the serious task of pest control is written into their “job description,” the kittens are still very much in training. For now, that means practicing their takedown maneuvers on acorns or sneaking up on each other, much to the delight of visitors.
“They’re there on a night, and they’re always waiting for me on a morning for some breakfast,” Wall told the BBC. “They’re proving a good asset to the railway, and it’s nice we have friendly ones this time.”
The railway, which runs through the rolling heather and hills of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park (a rodent’s dreamland), makes sure its feline staff get the best treatment when they’re off the clock. The cats have their own little house, complete with beds, a space heater, refreshments, and a wall of honors celebrating past mousers.
And the public? They can’t get enough. Guests adore spotting the station’s four-legged crew, who bring just as much joy as they do rodent protection.
With cozy beds, full bellies, and endless pats from railway visitors, the once-feral Titch, Clinker, and Ash have found what promises to be a long, fun, and fruitful career.
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