To celebrate today, Friday, 8th August, being International Cat Day, West Midlands Railway (WMR) has named one of its trains that shuttle between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town as George the Station Cat.

The charity International Cat Care organises International Cat Day to celebrate felines around the world and champion their welfare.

George is well known as a well-loved ginger tom cat who has made Stourbridge Junction station his home.

Next to the train’s nameplate is a plaque featuring a portrait of George. At a paws-itively purr-fect ceremony held at Stourbridge Junction station this morning, attended by George, West Midlands Railway representatives, and local MP Cat Eccles, the Shuttle, also known colloquially as the Town Car, was formally named.

With George’s name prominently displayed, the hundreds of passengers travelling between Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction will see the plaque every day.

The time to travel between the two stations is just three minutes, making it one of Europe’s shortest branch lines.

A second Town Car unit also operates on the route, and West Midlands Railway has announced a competition to name this second unit, which is open until Friday, 22nd August.

Suggestions for a name for the unit can be submitted at www.wmr.uk/george.

George first visited the station in 2017 and quickly found a place in the hearts of passengers and staff. His owner later emigrated to Spain, but before doing so, he made arrangements for George to be adopted by station supervisor Ian Tomlinson.

George is also a social media star; as well as his daily duties, including napping in the ticket office and guarding the platforms, he has over 100,000 followers across X, Instagram and Facebook through which he raises money for good claws-es such as Stray Cats West Midlands, Samaritans, and the Black Country Food Bank.

In 2021, George played a prominent role in helping Stourbridge Junction triumph in the World Cup of Stations, an annual competition organised by the Rail Delivery Group. George the Station Cat, No. 139002, is a Class 139 unit that entered service in 2009 and is maintained and operated by Pre Metro Operations Ltd on behalf of West Midlands Railway.

Stourbridge Junction is not the only station with a resident cat, as Huddersfield station is the home of station cat Bolt.

“When George started appearing at the station in 2017, we were all besotted with him. I was delighted to formally adopt him when his owner moved to Spain. When I retire, I will be taking George to live with me, so naming the train after him is a fantastic way to leave his mark – or pawprint – here in Stourbridge. Although, I’m sure we’ll be making plenty of visits!”

Ian Tomlinson, WMR supervisor and George’s owner