'Next generation' of railway cats start patrol

Titch, Clinker and Ash are North Yorkshire Moors Railway's latest 'night patrollers'

Surrounded by steam engines, three tiny black kittens scurry, stopping only to wrestle one another or investigate an exciting new smell.

Titch, Clinker and Ash are the next generation in a long line of cats hired by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway as "night patrol officers".

"They're gorgeous kittens," Simon Wall, shed shop supervisor, says fondly, even as Ash raises a clawed paw to bat the sleeve of his shirt.

"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."

The 17-week-old siblings were rehomed to Grosmont Station after being found wandering in nearby Farndale, feral and alone.

The heritage railway's previous feline employee Loco died in May, so the search for a suitable replacement had been ongoing.

The kittens are currently around 17 weeks old

"All of a sudden, three came along and we said 'OK, we'll take all three' and we've had a great time with them since," Simon explains.

"They've proved really popular with the public – sometimes you come down and I'm trying to put them away and give them their tea and there's no chance.

"There's far too many people looking at the cats and having a great time with them."

When not on duty, the trio sleep in one of the smaller outbuildings, which is decked out with a cat flap, blankets and a heater.

On the exterior, it's decorated with the names and pictures of the shed cats that came before, in honour of their service.

"It's like a five-star cat hotel in there really," Simon jokes.

"They're there on a night, and they're always waiting for me on a morning for some breakfast."

Simon Wall, shed shop supervisor and 'cat dad', said the kittens helped to spread joy

Grosmont is located in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, set amongst the rolling hills and heather - the perfect location for a cat employed for pest control.

"Being a rural area, close to the river, we do get a few rodents in the place. They're more of a deterrent, but they're practising their catching skills," Simon adds.

The kittens are starting small though; at the moment, prey consists of the acorns that fall from the nearby oak tree, or sneaking up on an unsuspecting sibling.

Surprisingly, although Simon is not normally a fan of felines, although he's "growing to love cats", he admits.

"To see people's faces when the cats are here - the kids absolutely love them - is absolutely fantastic.

"They're proving a good asset to the railway, and it's nice we have friendly ones this time."

The kittens live and work in the railway sheds set back from the station

Titch, Clinker and Ash - all named by railway volunteers - are not just carrying on a 40-year tradition of cats at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Yorkshire actually has a history of other famous felines that frequent stations; most recently Felix and Bolt from Huddersfield Station.

Over in East Yorkshire, a tabby named MewPaul is something of a neighbourhood celebrity, as a recognised commuter on trains and buses.

Whether the kittens feel the weight of that responsibility is yet undetermined.

For now, they're oblivious, content to explore, and greet delighted members of the public who pass by, in the hope they'll get a treat and a pet.

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