On Friday, 19th of July, passengers on several trains in Berkshire, England, experienced an unexpected delay due to a rather unusual trespasser. A runaway tortoise named Solomon was found on the railway tracks near Ascot on its rather slow escape mission.
Solomon’s Escape Attempt
According to reports, Solomon escaped from his owner's garden and was spotted on the tracks moving slowly towards Bagshot. The sight of the tortoise on the tracks disrupted four train services going from Ascot to Aldershot while engineers worked to bring him to safety.
In an incident report shared on social media, Network Rail Wessex commented on the peculiar nature of the trespasser and humorously noted Solomon's pace towards Bagshot. Luckily for Solomon, he was sighted earlier, and the engineers had shortly stopped four trains to pick him up and take him to a veterinary clinic in Staines. His owner had showed up not long after to take him back home.
Solomon's journey spawned memes and humorous comments on the internet. One popular joke asked, “if Solomon was moving faster than some of the national rail services in the region, and another talked about the rarity of a train ever stopping for a tortoise.” Some even say “Solomon wanted to travel like a star.”
Despite the light-hearted reaction to Solomon's story online, Network Rail took the opportunity to remind people about the dangers associated with railway tracks. “Trains need several football pitches to stop from a full speed, and there's also the risk of electrified third rail.”
Network Rail also seems to suggest that Solomon got on the track through a gap in the fence, as his owner lived close to the railway. “Sideline neighbors should make sure their fencing is secure, so pets and humans don't wander onto the track.’’
A Common Occurrence?
Solomon's case isn't the first we have seen in recent years regarding tortoises going AWOL and hindering trail movements. Two years ago, another runaway tortoise caused train delays in Norfolk. The tortoise, Clyde, was found on the tracks after escaping from his home and ending up on the Cambridge-bound line in Norfolk. Trains were temporarily stopped to move Clyde to safety, and while Clyde sustained some crack to his shell, he was treated by a reptile specialist and is doing well.
Solomon and Clyde's story brings the recurring issue of animals getting onto railway tracks into light. It shows the unexpected challenges that can happen on the railways and the importance of railway operators’ vigilance.
Solomon's story ultimately had a happy ending. Railway staff picked him up and temporarily placed him on a train to Staines to see the vet, but fortunately, his owner identified and collected him around 8 p.m. that evening. Network Rail hopes these events that endanger animals will become increasingly rare as long as owners and individuals adhere to railway warnings.