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1947-1971
 
  No. 178
October, 1951
Town Station Agent Is
"Very Useful Fellow"

By John R. Armstrong

   Agent R. Lefebvre
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.
 
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"

   Agent R. Lefebvre
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.
 
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.
 
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

   Operator J.O. Mongrain
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
 

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