A cat on a fast train roof delayed the London to Manchester service after it was spotted at Euston station.
It was a whisker away from hitching a ride on the 125mph train - and from being electrocuted by the 25,000 volt overhead lines.
The feline was seen curled up on top of an Avanti West Coast train half an hour before it was due to leave for Manchester and refused to move.
Passengers were transferred to a replacement train with only a slight delay – but the cat stayed put.
Having avoided a high-speed dash up north, it remained perilously close to the overhead lines which power the trains.
After two and a half hours, the mog eventually got down and went about its business after a bin was brought alongside the carriages to act as a makeshift platform.
It was seen 'swaggering off', according to station staff, although it is still not known how it reached the top of the train.
Joe Hendry, Network Rail station manager for Euston, said: "We often have to deal with birds inside the station but in all my time here this is the first train surfing cat!
"Thankfully curiosity didn’t kill this cat and we’re glad it avoided using up one of its nine lives thanks to the swift action of the station team and Avanti West Coast staff who organised for passengers to get on to a different train for the rescue to take place."
