Rush-hour train service in Scotland disrupted by swan swanning on track

A swan was enjoying its “beak hour” on the tracks of a train station in Scotland, delaying evening peak-hour train service on Oct 27.

No foul play was suspected, as the disruption was attributed to the fowl playing on the tracks at Glasgow Central, Scotland’s busiest train station, British media outlets reported.

Transport operator Network Rail said on social media platform X that the bird was found at 5.49pm local time.

It added: “We’re dealing with a swan on the tracks at Glasgow Central high-level station. Services to/from the station are being disrupted, but trains are still moving at a reduced speed.”

Network Rail also said it had a “response team” to “retrieve the swan”.

The operator then posted a picture of the “culprit” just after 6pm, adding that its teams were “working to keep services moving and move the swan out of harm’s way”.

Rush-hour commuters were left in a flap as the operator cancelled or delayed about 30 rush-hour services from the station, the BBC reported.

Network Rail announced about half an hour later, at 6.30pm, that the bird had been removed.

“Good news,” the transport provider posted on X. “The swan has been moved and is now safely away from the railway.

“It’s a little distressed, but recovering well.

“Thank you for your patience, we really do appreciate it. We’re working to get crew and units back into position, with services now resuming as normal.”

But Network Rail declared the end of the disruption only hours later, at 9.42pm.

While the disruption would have ruffled the feathers of peak-hour commuters, some netizens were tickled by the whole incident.

“Swan vs rush hour – classic Glasgow! Brilliant to see the team handling chaos with patience (and bird diplomacy),” said one on X, in response to Network Rail’s post.

Another posted a GIF showing two police officers in a moving car, with a swan wedged between them.

It was captioned: “Specialist officers are on their way to the scene.”