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The first train to be cancelled was the 0523 from Weymouth,so clearly the aimals must have been on the line before then.

It is now 1200 and still nothing has run south of Yeovil

Just exactly how long does it take to move animals off the line these days? Are they trying to put hi-viz jackets on 'em all first???

GWR now say that several animals were hit on Sunday and the clean-up will take all of Monday. This will include a line inspection for safety. So currently no services on Monday and no bus replacement. Tickets are valid via Southampton.

There's a total of 9 cows sadly killed after nightfall yesterday, 5 are on the line, and 4 right by it.  The farmer that owns them tried to use his farm equipment but it wasn't up to the task.  So, a RRV needs to be sourced and used and there are a limited number of staff from the company providing that who are abattoir trained apparently.

Sounds a grim job for all involved.

Yes, a far more complex clean up than just moving a few errant cows. Daylight was needed. Specialist rail equipment and specialist enviromental health personnel, along with a trained salughterman, were also needed.

The MOM decided that earlier plan to use the farmer's JCB to remove the carcasses may have damaged the track and trackbed, which would have led to even more delay in reopening the line.

RTT indicates that it was the last up service that was involved. Seems to be between Chetnole and Yetminster as it left there for Westbury 3hours late.
There is an occupation crossing just south of Yetminster, was the gate open, or was it the result of damaged fencing?

That last train is known for being "lively" bringing people back from a day out by the seaside (and in the pubs).   How they endured the delay could have been interesting.

Thanks for this - it makes what is going on far more understandable

But of course the general public are apparently only being told that there are "animals on he line" and, like me initially, may think of it as a reltively trivial matter that should not take very long to sort out. Many of them are not going to enquire into the details, they will simply see what the departure boards are telling them.

It would be better for railway PR if they actually made clear the full extent of the problem

They were told rather more detail than just ‘animals on the line’, Robin.  See the initial post.

Yes they did. Fourth sentence/ paragraph down. I wonder how many passengers had stopped reasing before then!

At least I can claim mitigation because of my bloody glaucoma...

Well, this passenger certainly didn't get as far as reading the 'line' entry, and I don't have glaucoma.

Situation now compounded due to a points failure at Castle Cary.  The 14:02 from Yeovil Pen Mill (due to have been the 13:11 from Weymouth) has been delayed by over two hours.

How would you both present that information in a way that would please everyone?

As the meerkats would say - "simples"

Change first part from-

"Cancellations to services between Castle Cary and Weymouth

Due to animals on the railway between Castle Cary and Weymouth all lines are blocked.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or terminated at and started back from Yeovil Pen Mill. Disruption is expected until 12:00 02/05."

to

"Cancellations to services between Castle Cary and Weymouth

Following a train hitting several cows near Yetminster yesterday, a clean up operation is in place. Until this is complete, and we can ensure the line is not damaged, trains will be amended.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or terminated at and started back from Yeovil Pen Mill. Disruption is expected until 12:00 02/05."

Then the key information is the first thing people will read, and understand it's not just another cow on the line, that they will pass at walking pace with a farmer holding securely on a halter after a 15 minute delay, and why the line is closed without having to spool down.

Perhaps suggest it to GWR…?

For the record, I think that is a slight improvement but hardly makes the world of difference TBH.

I just came back to the forum to give my views and I see I’ve been beaten to it!

My only change to 81Ds suggestion is that I think the fact that animals have been killed adds emphasis to the severity and possible longevity of the situation, and that should appear in sentence/ paragraph 2

There was a road incident between Shepton Mallet and Yeovil at Wraxall on the Monday morning.