Town Station Agent Is "Very Useful Fellow"
By John R. Armstrong
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Typical popular agent is R.
Lefebvre of Hudson, PQ. He is caught by the camera while going about one of
his routine tasks which is to check, and when necessary, change the bulb in
the train order board. Mr. Lefebvre in a similar photo appears as Spanner
cover for this issue.
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Make no mistake about it, the life of a town station agent is one
of the most interesting and respected of any in the community. Why? Because a
station is the hub of the district around which revolves the everyday living and
transportation needs of the residents. Take a look, for example, at the station
platform in the early hours of the morning and see the crowd of commuters waiting
for the trains that will carry them to their business offices many miles away. Or
watch the freights as they take out from their cross-country runs to
drop off carloads of important consignments on the sidings - shipments that are
being awaited by busy factories, printing plants, institutions and business
establishments. Holidays are no exception to the busy station scene. As a matter
of fact these are often the agent's busiest days so far as handling crowds are
concerned. Yes, there's always plenty of activity around a railway station, every
hour of every day, and in the center of the action is the station agent for he's
the boss of the show. On his shoulders rests the welfare of the station.
"Go-Between"
Like any liaison official, the agent has responsibilities to his passengers and
customers and also to his superiors. He's what might be called a
"Go-Between", and, as such, continually has his hand on the
pulse of the railroad. The agent must order and sell tickets, keep office records,
and send in reports to his superiors. Whenever he is seen on the platform there's
a good reason for it. Either he is checking and inspecting trains as they go by,
passing on important shipping instructions, helping to load or unload freight and
baggage, or carrying out some of the numerous other duties he is called upon to
do. Every passing train has to be "logged" in the book and he is in
constant touch with dispatchers on what trains are approaching, whether they are
on time, etc., etc.
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Taking train orders and reporting
passing trains are among the exacting duties handled by station agents and
operators. Agent R. Lefebvre of Hudson, Que., is shown above listening
carefully for those all important words from the
dispatcher.
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One of the most important qualities an agent must possess is tact. For on him the
line, as a whole, is judged... that is by the public. Consider, for instance, the
case of the slightly impatient passenger who steps up to the wicket to purchase a
ticket only to find the agent at his desk, with earphones on his head, seemingly
oblivious to his presence. The passenger never stops to think that the agent might
be taking an important message about an approaching train. Human nature being what
it is, he wants his ticket - and in a hurry. Often his "feathers are
ruffled" and it's up to the agent to pour soothing oil on the troubled
waters. However, that's taken in stride by the efficient station master.
The station agent's responsibilities cover baggage from station to point of
destination - a service rendered on every ticket purchased. Freight and express
customers must be notified of the arrival of their parcels and signatures obtained
before the goods are released. The sending and receiving of telegrams play an
important role in his duties. A competent operator should be able to handle
messages as fast as the ordinary person can write, and it is not unusual for 40
messages to pass through a station in one day. All messages must be phoned and
later delivered to the proper party.
Drums Up Business
If the agent is progressive and on his toes, he will try to drum up business for
his railway. By rendering fast, efficient and courteous service, passenger and
freight business can often be increased. This might even lead to businesses and
industries building near the agent's line for a good shipping service is a prime
essential to a thriving business. He also can do much toward encouraging
passenger travel by keeping a clean and up-to-date station.
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Time to turn over the station to
his operator, R. Lefebvre checks out while J.O. Mongrain, (above) operator
at Hudson, Que., takes over, checks the ledger, tickets and money and
prepares to keep things rolling at the busy
station.
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Of course there are many miscellaneous duties to which the agent must tend. There
are sometimes cases of damage to Company property or damage to goods in transit.
Both come under his jurisdiction for reports to the divisional superintendent.
Cooperation with the section gang is another must. If it's more than a
one-man station, the agent has charge of other employees. Often acts
of bravery performed in the line of duty have saved the lives of passengers who
have imprudently ventured too close to the platform tracks. In this respect the
agent almost needs to be endowed with a sixth sense or to have eyes in the back of
his head. He has to be an adviser on matters of transportation and very often keep
the waiting passengers posted on train times. In some stations the agent does
this by means of a public address system.
This Canadian Pacific Spanner article is
copyright 1951 by Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their
permission. All photographs, logos, and trademarks are the property of the Canadian
Pacific Railway Company.
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