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By Sally Sculthorpe on

100 years of station master memories

Archive collections and personal histories can help us paint a picture of life for a station master across the last century.

From the 19th century right up until recently, the station master was the key authority figure in the railway station, with responsibility for all station staff. Large terminus stations and small country branch line stations were both managed by station masters.

He (invariably they were male) was a well-respected figure with significant social standing in the local community. He was usually provided with a station house to live in. It was also common, especially in rural areas, for the station master to be running a sideline or two to supplement his railway pay packet.

Today’s station managers don’t have the same visible presence on the platform, and can split their time between managing several large stations. Using historical accounts from our collection and memories shared by station masters through the Station Stories project, I’ve pieced together a picture of the role of the station master as it’s changed through more than a century of station life.

Tom Baker became a station master with Midland railway in the 1890s. His diary entries offer revealing insights into his professional and private life.

Here he records his efforts to locate a missing trunk:

October 1893

At work 7.40am. Pretty busy. Recorded wire from Wilson Rangemoor which said “Shall expect trunk at Burton four o’clock”. Griffiths wired Burton who had no trace. About 3pm Mr Hodgson came in and he mentioned the matter to him. Mr Hodgson in turn told Mr Maxey who had Griffiths in and gave him a good jacketing. He looked no end of places but without success.

Left duty 8pm. Still no trace of Wilson’s trunk. Went to see if anything had been heard of it at 10pm. Griffith, West and Challans were there. Burton had just wired for description of trunk and we replied and at 11pm they replied “Wilson’s box now found”. Bed at 11.30pm. Tired out.

A typical page from Tom Baker's diary.
A typical page from Tom Baker’s diary.

Tom’s diary includes comments about Victorian society, such as this description of the Liverpool docks:

July 1893

I saw children and women barefooted and nearly naked. They had scurvy.

It also charts his growing affection for Edie, the young lady who became his wife. Like many of its time, their courtship was largely conducted by letter.

Edie replied to my letter writing that she didn’t like me going to Liverpool.

Had a very nice letter indeed from Edie, best I have received yet.

Edie, or ‘Grandmother Edith’ in a photo taken by one of her grandchildren.
Edie, or ‘Grandmother Edith’, in a photo taken by one of her grandchildren.

The next recollections were submitted by a station master’s great-granddaughter via our online story form. Her great-grandfather was the station master at various big stations in the early 1900s, including Bristol Temple Meads and Derby.

He had a top hat which folded away into a box. He used to show it to us when we were children and told tales of having to wear it on special occasions to meet important people who were arriving at his station. One person I particularly recall him speaking about was Sarah Bernhardt, a French film actress.

Sarah Bernhardt and her entourage at St Pancras station, 1894.
Sarah Bernhardt and her entourage at St Pancras station, 1894

Norman Kemp was appointed the station master for two small branch line stations Elland and Greetland in the 1940s:

When I first came to Elland station from Hull I rang them up and said, “Can you find me some accommodation?” I got off this train, I remember it was steamed up so I was black and dirty, I’d called into Wakefield to report. Then this little porter who was in his early seventies came down to meet me. I said, “Where am I staying, have you got me somewhere?” he said, “Ey lad, just down the path there, Station Hotel”. I was there nearly six months until I found a house, and my wife came to join me with our first son.

In those days many station masters had side lines such as coal sales, newspaper sales and so on. In fact, the first station I was at, Hedon on the Withernsea line, even had a lorry to deliver the coal, it was such a large operation.

Norman and his new bride setting off for London on the 'Honeymoon special'.
Norman and his new bride Pam leaving Hull Paragon station on the ‘Honeymoon Special’ to Kings Cross, London

E.L. Wheeler was a country station master in the 1950s. He was in charge of Sandling for Hythe station and Westenhanger station. Here he describes how he overcame the challenge of travelling between them:

To overcome the difficulties of travelling between the two stations an ancient bicycle was made available. The supply of which to me, had created one less item on hand in the Central Lost Property office at Waterloo. I also used it to travel to my most distant signal box, Herringe, a couple of miles beyond Westenhanger. This box was only used on Saturdays during the summer train service to cope with additional boat trains to and from the Channel ports.

Mr Wheeler in his station master days

The Beeching cuts in the 1960s led to the closure of many small stations. The land was sold off, including the station master’s house.

Hollin Harper was a station master in the 1950s. He experienced the Beeching axe first hand:

I was appointed Station Master at Moulton on the Richmond branch, from the 12 November, 1951. The attraction of that job was twofold – one, I got a house – I remember the house rent was eight and eleven pence a week – and it was on the Richmond branch, which had a good passenger service in those days. We used to think, ‘Well, as long as they’ve got troops stationed at Catterick camp, this railway’s going to last forever’. How false that was. It didn’t last for ever at all and it lost its passenger service in 1969, a matter of great regret. It lost its freight service in 1970 and was completely closed and abandoned – something we never thought could ever happen.

The red on the map signifies lines that were closed down by the Beeching axe.
The red on the map signifies lines that were closed down by the Beeching axe

Mohammed Ayub was an assistant station manager at Liverpool street station in the 1980s. He has fond recollections of banter with passengers:

A few funny things happened at Liverpool Street. One day I was standing on platform 11 seeing off the Hook of Holland. A gentleman and his wife came to me. The wife pointed at the engine, and he said to me, “Is this the train for Hook of Holland?” I said, “No, this (pointing to where she had) is the engine, the train is farther back”.” She laughed and the gentleman gave me a big grin. The gentleman put his wife on the train before he came back. As he walked back one of my inspectors says to me, “You’re in trouble”. The gentleman said to me, “Can I talk to you, on your own?” I took him aside and he said, “Thank you very much. She’s never laughed the last twenty years. You’ve made my day”. I had my ups and downs, some passengers were rough, and some were easy, but I always did my job!

Passengers boarding the 'Hook continental' train at Liverpool Street station, London.
Passengers boarding the ‘Hook continental’ train at Liverpool Street station, London

Until earlier this year, Phil Crow was the station manager for York, Darlington and Durham railway stations. In an interview, he talked about his career progression, and how he juggled managing three stations:

Twenty-eight years ago I started on a Youth Training Scheme. I progressed through a range of placements that involved things like working with Red Star parcels. I then moved onto switchboard operator at the Travel Centre at Middlesbrough. Then I’ve progressed through Travel Centres to supervisor to Travel Centre manager to head of Travel Centres for the route and then into station operations.

I tend to base most of my time at York because it has more services, more staff, and more customers: the footfall is much higher. I go through Darlington everyday on a morning and on an evening, so I get to see Darlington everyday and I get to Durham as often as I can. For example this week I’ve been to Durham twice. I’ve got a team of four managers. This enables us to ensure we’ve got consistent approach across all of the stations.

The ticket office at York station, 1993.
The ticket office at York station, 1993

A timeless thread through all the station master stories is the enormous sense of pride they all took in the job. This is nicely summed up by Trevor Adams, former manager of Waterloo Station, who recalls:

People wanted a bowler hat on the platform to meet them and say, “Good morning. Thank you for travelling by British Rail”.  That’s what makes the railways tick, the people!

You can see stories like these on display in our redeveloped Station Hall. Find out more about the changes were making on our main Station Hall page.

If you have a station story to tell, you can get in touch by filling in our online form, or emailing us at stationstories@nrm.org.uk

Note: Sally’s now left our museum to work at the British Postal Museum & Archive – but we’re still actively collecting your Station Stories. Email us at the address above.

63 comments on “100 years of station master memories

  1. hi Sally im Gary, could you tell me if the Mallard was ever used in transporting troop during the 2nd world war

  2. I was very interested in the article by Mohammed Ayub who I remember as a great ASM to work with at Liverpool Street. Fond memories indeed Jock,I do hope you’re well.
    Best wishes
    Jerry Panter

    1. Hi Jerry
      Thanks very much for your comment.
      Dad was glad to see that he’s still remembered.
      Dad would love to hear from you.
      Best regards
      Sagda

    2. Hello Jock and Jerry. Have fond memories of working with you both, I was a box lad in the Liverpool street signal box in 1977/78.
      Steve Webb

      1. Hi Steve
        Dad remembers you as a young lad. Nice to see your message.
        Kind Regards
        Sagda Manan

        1. I am looking for information on Luke Storey who was station master of London Euston and later went up to Lancaster

    3. I’m looking for information about my great grandfather who was a station master on the Isle of white late 1800s

  3. HI SAlly can you please tell me how I can find any information on my grandfather who was a station master at Lime street station around 1920/1930, his name was Wright Higginson.
    kind regards Ray Oliver

  4. I can’t find any information on my Great Grandfather John Thomas Godfrey who was station master at Ingoldstone in 1860. Any suggestions?

  5. Hi Gary did the train to York run from Darlington to
    North road and. On to York station in the 50s/60s I remember going to Great Yarmouth from Darlington to York then changing trains at York to Great Yarmouth

  6. Hi has anybody information re Station Master of Maud, Aberdeenshire named Dyer. Regards

  7. Hi, I’m trying to find out if a family story is true. My great grandfather John Joseph Gerard who was born in 1858 was an engine driver, I have a photograph of him in his uniform. It is thought that he became the Station Master at Lime Steeet Station, Liverpool. Is there a list of former Station masters that I could refer to?

  8. Hi I’m trying to track a photo of my late grandfather who was staion master at Newcastle and Darlington stations in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The picture is on the platform with Sir Winston Churchill, my grandfather was George Renton, hoping someone can help

    1. any info on samuel cott station master of st pancras 1940 and then chairman of british rail northern

  9. Looking for when a relative of mine was station master at Kings Cross.
    Somewhere between 1960 and 1966 approx, his name was EW Allen.

  10. Are there any photographs of Oakley station in Bedfordshire existing from the 1950 s and who were the staff there

  11. Looking for a picture of my father who delivered stores from st pancras to kidbrooke in 1940s ,his name was Thomas james pyne ,known as jim . his father also worked on the railway before, had same name as my father

  12. I’m trying to get information on a Robert Gilmour ,who I believe was the last stationmaster at Derby station , and I believe he was at Luton before Derby ,I have newspaper clippings of when he got the job in Derby ,also a photo of him meeting prince Philip at Derby ,I’m not a relation but was left these items in a will , not sure if they would be of any use to anyone ,

    1. I am the grandson of Leonard Mumford. Len was first a signalman at Waterloo, beginning his service in 1909 with the LSWR and subsequently became Assistant Station Master in 1944, having previously received the BEM in recognition of his bravery and conduct at Waterloo during the Blitz,

      I have recently retired and I am researching an article I am writing about Len’s railway career which concluded in 1959, when he retired from the post of station master at Holborn Viaduct, Blackfriars and Elephant & Castle stations. I have been trying to obtain information about the long-serving station master at Waterloo during the 1940s. I know his surname is Greenfield: indeed I have a letter he wrote to my grandfather and a signed photograph of Mr Greenfield wearing his dress coat and top hat. He has signed the photograph in “Southern Railway” green ink.

      His letter to my grandfather says he began working at Waterloo in 1925, but I can find no other references to him. I would be grateful to receive any information you might hold about Mr Greenfield, or advice as to where I might direct my research.

      Kind regards,

      Michael Rowe

      1. My mums uncle was the station master at Oakworth I remember going to his house as a child and the photograph of him stood on the platform, I would love if anyone could give me any information about him, probably around the 50s ,

  13. I have just discovered that an old wooden cuban cigar box, which my nana kept some jewellery, medals etc. in, has some writing underneath the thin wooden cover ‘sheet’. It reads: ‘Given to Euston Station Master Xmas 1920’. How can I find out who that might have been? Any ideas?

  14. I am the grandson of Harry Nichols who at the time was the youngest person to be promoted to the position of Station Master Great Western Railway. I believe this to have been just after the first world war.
    He was in charge of Maidenhead, Taplow and Wantage.
    His birth certificate shows that he was born in Ipswich Suffolk in the eighteen hundreds. which of course is the area of The Great Eastern Railway.
    I have no idea how or when he joined the Great Western.
    I have a photo of him in uniform which was taken in the garden of the railway house at Maidenhead.

  15. I am looking for any records of three generations of Atkinson who were station masters in Yorkshire. The last at at Saltmarshe and one at Pately Bridge. One also started as a signal man on Goole Swing Bridge

  16. Details of senior station staff were often included in local directories. These were the ‘Yellow Pages’ of the day, giving information about towns, cities, and the trades therein They give the name of the station master, freight manager, and others.
    Many Directories have been digitised and uploaded to the Internet- Google for details.
    Hope this helps,

  17. I am researching an ancestor Edward Scott Pond on the marriage certificate where he is the father of the bride, he lists his occupation as ‘Station Master’ this was 26 June 1860. I would like to find a roll if there is such a thing and find out what Station he was located at if possible.

  18. I believe a mr bill tagg was the youngest stationmaster either in Staffordshire or in the country he was stationmaster at gnosall in the 1950s

  19. Dear Sally, in 1967 my family and I arrived in Liverpool Lime Street station from London very late. We had earlier in the day stepped off a plane from Lagos in Nigeria ( Homeless and British evacuees from Biafra.) It was a weekend and we only had Nigerian money that was no longer valid and banks were closed.
    I was due to have our fifth child within three weeks and the other children were ages:years – 10/8/5/2. In addition my husband was unwell, struggling with a back injury. I would appreciate being able to identify the platform where we all sat on a seat whether outside or inside the station and where a Liverpool Policeman – beautiful man came and rescued us and put us in a hotel room overnight and we were then taken to a hostel where husbands were not allowed to stay. Any historical references such as images: of the platform; regulations; procedures; would be deeply appreciated.

  20. My great grand father was station master at St Pancras sometime from 1830 on. Does anyone know where to look at records. His name was John James Rogers.

  21. Hi,
    My late great grandfather, Arthur John Tilley was a Station Master at the Desford Station in 1911, which is in Leicestershire. Before that, the Railway Employment records record him as being recruited on 22 June 1894 to work at the Little Eaton station in Derbyshire on the Midland Railway line.
    I don’t know anymore about his work other than the above facts, so I would love to know more details if anybody can help me please? He was born in 1872 in Stanion, Northamptonshire..
    Many thanks!

  22. Hi Sally, My Grt, Grt, grandfather was a Stationmaster at Shoreditch in the 1840’s, until that station changed to Bishopsgate, c1850. Can you help me, as to where I look to find his records. I have discovered many article about him in the
    “British Newspapers”..he’s my brick wall!! Many thanks…

  23. i am trying to find any details of my father william wilson train driver from polmadie engine sheds .for a time he was acting station master at glasgow central . he was on the milage runs down south .was on trials wit d10000and d10001 in scotland .ended his career at railway school training steam engine drivers to learn about diesals .any info would be greatly appreciated

  24. Does anyone have any information about a distant relative of mine, William Sangster (1845-1918) who was described as a retired stationmaster on his death certificate. His address in 1918 was given as Dun Mill, Dun and he lived in Dun in 1911, so I’m guessing he was stationmaster at Bridge of Dun which is very close. He was married three times; all his wives were called Margaret which must have avoided embarrassing slips of the tongue.

  25. Hi I’m the daughter of Robert Phillips.he was station manager at Glasgow Central in the 70’s.have you got any info.thanks

  26. I would like to find out when my great great uncle was stationmaster at Temple Meads station.His surname was Harding and I think it would have been early in the 20th century.I don’t know his Christian name but his wife was Lucy.Thank you in anticipation Valerie Cole

  27. My grandfather was the last stationmaster at abbeyleix station county laoise in eire.
    His name was Thomas hogan.

    1. Hello, We hosted (as a long-term Lodger) in Cambridge, THOMAS HOGAN in the 1970’s At that time, he would have been in his mid twenties (I am guessing) He was a lovely young man and – in fact – as a writer (and former Railwayman and latterly Broadcaster) I wrote a poem about him. The words were later turned into a song, by the folkd singer, Jancis Harvey. It is in a C/D called ‘Peoples and Places’.
      Kindest Regards
      Richard Spendlove

  28. I understand that my great grandfather by the name of something like Viles may have been stationmaster at Kings Cross in the late 1800’s. Is there anyway to check this.

  29. Have you a list of the stationmasters at Kings Cross from say 1890 to1920 . I am looking for a name something like Vialls.

  30. Hello My Nan was Called Ivy Turner she worked on the platform at Vauxhall station London guessing 1970. She was a real character she was about 4ft 5 blonde hair always worn in a bun or plats. I remember someone called Kenny working there around the same time.Would be great if anyone remembers her.

  31. Roland Spencer ,possibly stationmaster at Crewe was my great uncle. Any information would be appreciated.

  32. My Great Grandfather William Thomas Womack was station master at Wells next the Sea railway station in the late 1800s does anyone know where I can find anymore information

  33. I am trying to find photographs and name of my great grandfather. He was the station master at Stepney Station in Hull around 1930. All I have are memories of my mum telling me they lived in the station house for a while when she was young, sadly I have no-one left to ask. Hope you can help.

    Thanks very much

    1. Dear Maggie my mothers name was Hilda Bradley and she often told us about living in the station masters house at Stepney we don’t know the dates but we think it was 1920s we still have family in hull

  34. My Great great grandfather Thomas Ashby Dewsbery was station master at Evesham 1858 to 1864 and went onto being station master at St Pancras. Any information would be welcome .

  35. I’m looking for information on Station masters at Barraba NSW would appreciate it if you could send a list please. Our grandfather Michael Taylor was there approx 1925-191956? Trying to find the correct dates. Thanks.

  36. My Great Grandfather William Mann Simmons was station master at Brandon [Norfolk} ,one of His sons William R Simmons was Clerk at the station . any information would be grateful.

    1. I would be grateful if there is any relatives in Weeting , Brandon or near thank you

  37. I am trying to find more information about Joseph Jones (a relative of mine). I know that he was station master of Holyhead from c1891 to 1913. He was then appointed station master of Euston. He died in 1936, but I assume by that date he had retired; if so, I would like to know the year he retired, or where I could find that information.

    I know that he began his railway career at Rhyl as an office boy, and I think he was later station master at Hooton and then Rugby before he went to Holyhead.

    1. I have just stumbled upon this webpage – hoping this comes to your attention.
      Joseph Jones was my great-grandfather Isaac’s brother. My father researched our family tree some years ago and spoke with the brothers’ niece, then in her 90s, who told him of ‘uncle’ Joseph’s fame. She recalled a trip to France when Joseph met her at Euston and gave her a gold medal to show to station masters along the route, and which ensured she was well taken care of. The written account of their conversation mentions various newspaper cuttings and an article called ‘Terminus Tales’ penned by Joseph about his working life, from which I presume my father drew this information: After starting work aged 14 in the cloakroom at Rhyl Station and mastering use of the telegraph equipment, Joseph worked as a junior clerk in Holywell, before going to Lichfield and Stafford, Liverpool, Northampton and Birmingham, then Holyhead and finally Euston until his retirement in 1921. Apparently referred to by Katharine Tynan as ‘the most famous Welshman in England’, Joseph knew Lloyd George, spoke with Gladstone, Disraeli, Parnell and others, and was awarded an MBE by King George V in 1920. After retirement, he expressed a wish to become a councillor in St Pancras Borough and a JP. I don’t know whether my father looked into that. I also have a family photograph from c1890 showing Joseph, Isaac, their two sisters, four of their six brothers, and various spouses.
      Regards, B Lewis Jones

  38. My Grandfather Henry or Harry Turner worked for the LMS for all his working life he was based at St Pancras in his later years & retired in 1951. He was an Inspector for some time but his death certificate listed him as Station Superintendent of St Pancras when he retired. He was presented with a rather fine clock & I do wonder if he had a managerial job ‘Superintendent’ as his death certificate & a report in his local newspaper specified?

  39. My grandfather Cecil Edwards was Stationmaster at Barcombe Mills, Pulborough, Midhurst and possibly Sutton in the early 1900’s. My father was born at Barcombe Mills in 1911. Does anyone have any further information?

  40. Harry bootland was employed at york station maybe 1940s 1950s not sure he was my uncle can you trace any record of him please thanks.

  41. I am trying to find a list of station masters at Deal [ Kent ] Railway Station. I am trying to find the surname Beecher.

  42. Hello.
    I am wondering (Probably vainly) whether anyone has knowledge of any of the Station Masters at ESSENDINE please,
    I know that the late William Dunton was there in 1963, and succeeded Reginald Sexton (who retired from there)
    Knowledge of any others, with approximate dates, would be very much appreciated.

    Thank you

    Richard Spendlove, MBE

  43. I’m trying to get information on my late great grandfather who was station master at cwmbran Station around 1895-1915
    Anything would be useful for me ,his surname I think might of been Jones

  44. I’m wondering whether anyone has any information on my great grandfather, who was a stationmaster somewhere in Yorkshire in the early 20th century. His name was Mr Train(!) His son Llewellyn, was in the RAF and married a Miss Marion Driver.

  45. Good evening, not sure if this page is still active.
    Hoping to find someone who knows a DJ Kruger, station master in New Guelderland, KZN. We are thinking in the 1960’s. Any info would be awesome.

  46. Greetings
    Has anyone any stories of the Swanage Railway in the 1880 onwards. I am attempting to write a life story of a Station Master of that time. Thanks

  47. I am trying to find photographs of my two grandfathers who were station masters at South Wigston, woodville, Belper and Church Gresley.
    Arthur Harry Washbourne and William Washbourne.

    If anyone has or know’s where I might be able to enquire to locate photographs would be great.

  48. I am trying to find Photographs of my relatives who worked on the railways.

    Mr William Washbourne 1874-1947 station master at South Wigston & Belper
    Mr Arthur Harry Washbourne 1897-1959 station master at Belper
    There may have been other stations as well’
    It would be great if I could find photo’s of them

    1. Can you trace a stationmaster John Cassidy of Bridge of Allen at any point between about 1915 and the 1930s? Did he work for the railways at some time between these dates? Thank you

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