ABSTRACT
The station for a small town or village could still show an interesting cross-section of its life and work. A means for passengers to cross the line had always to be provided and it seems strange that, apart from larger stations, it was nearly always the footbridge that was preferred. Probably at the next cautious opening the engine would get away but sometimes it needed coaxing gently off with two or three separate openings and shuttings. Next the slackening off of the screw coupling upon which the comfort of the starting and stopping of all passenger coaches was dependent unhooking its great weight from the adjoining coach and banging it neatly on to the spare hook of its own vehicle. The operation normally proceeded at walking pace and at the cost then of horse-feed and labour it was doubtless cheaper than maintaining an engine in steam all day.
