There was commuter ‘chaos’ near Bolton earlier this morning – as a horse brought rush-hour trains to a standstill.
Some services were delayed by up to 35 minutes when the horse entered the track between Farnworth and Moses Gate stations shortly before 6.30am this morning.
Other Manchester-bound trains were diverted to Wigan rather than stopping at Chorley, Bolton, Horwich Parkway, Lostock and other stations.
It removed shortly before 8.15am when Network Rail confirmed lines were back running as normal.
The animal was described as ‘stubborn’ by one onlooker as staff tried to coax it away from danger.
It is unknown where the horse came from and there is no indication that the owner has come forward at this time.
Commuters took to Twitter to report the rush-hour disruption:
Horse on line at farnworth could be some time
— Glöbalgööner (@Globalgooner) June 9, 2014
@bbdjfl @northernrailorg There’s a horse on the line between farnworth and moses gate. Stubborn and causing chaos.
— Nigel McFarlane (@NigelMcFarlane) June 9, 2014
National Rail kept their customers updates on the social media site as the situation unfolded:
NEW: Delays between Bolton and Salford Crescent #Farnworth http://t.co/1kSX8ZtWtw
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) June 9, 2014
@northernrailorg There is a horse on the line at #farnworth so far evaded attempts at capture. #justanothermonday
— Nigel McFarlane (@NigelMcFarlane) June 9, 2014
The rail provider confirmed the end to the disruption around quarter past eight:
#Farnworth The line is now open as normal. Check @nationalrailenq for service information.
— Network Rail (@networkrail) June 9, 2014
Image courtesy of Cindy Funy with thanks
