Shock Over Who Is Blocking Train Leaving Passengers Stranded on Tracks
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Train delays are a familiar nuisance for commuters. Whether it's signal failures, mechanical issues, or overcrowded tracks, delays have become an unfortunate part of the experience. But one recent incident took an unexpectedly absurd turn—and the internet can't stop talking about it.
A Reddit post shared by u/Moist-Pause7968 on August 4 quickly went viral, racking up more than 46,000 upvotes, as users tried to unravel the bizarre cause behind a 30-minute standstill. Most assumed the delay was due to freight traffic or technical difficulties—two of the most common explanations given to frustrated passengers.
But this time, it wasn't about rail congestion or broken signals.
"Only after it left did the train slowly start moving forward," the post read.
The culprit? A swan.
Not a malfunctioning switch or a stalled locomotive. Just a single, unhurried swan, perched squarely on the tracks—and apparently with no intention of moving. Passengers were forced to sit and wait until the bird eventually decided to leave on its own.
Though this delay was unusual, it highlights a broader issue: America's train system is notoriously unreliable. According to federal standards, at least 80 percent of passengers should arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. Yet in 2024, none of the country's long-distance routes met that target. The Los Angeles to Chicago route had the worst performance, with just 33 percent of passengers arriving on time. The Chicago to New Orleans route came closest at 79 percent, but still fell short.
A stock image of a woman holding her hands up at a train.
A stock image of a woman holding her hands up at a train.
Zbynek Pospisil/iStock / Getty Images Plus
It's incidents like these that help explain why Americans prefer the control of their own vehicles. A 2023 YouGov poll found that 65 percent of U.S. adults drive each week, while public transit—particularly trains—lags behind in both reliability and perception.
Naturally, Reddit erupted with reactions.
"Can't someone just have shooed it off the tracks?" asked one user.
"Literally ask any passenger—they will do it. I would do it after 5 minutes, just let me grab my bag or a broom," another commented.
Others raised questions about wildlife protection laws.
"They are also protected in some countries, not sure what touching it would entail, law-wise."
"I'm utterly convinced swans know they're a protected species and take the p*** with it," one user joked.
Trumpeter swans are protected today because they were once nearly wiped out by hunting for their feathers. By the 1930s, only a few dozen remained in the lower United States, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Their slow recovery began thanks to bird protection laws, the creation of wildlife refuges, and dedicated conservation efforts.
A turning point came when a previously unknown population was discovered in Alaska. With increased protection across North America, the swans staged a remarkable comeback. Today, more than 20,000 trumpeter swans live in Alaska—an inspiring example of how conservation can bring a species back from the edge of extinction.
Newsweek reached out to u/Moist-Pause7968 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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