Responsibilities and life of a station agent

[tree68]

Here's the McKeever, NY station on the Mohawk & Malone (soon to be NYC) as it was originally built:

Here it is in 1965, somewhat the worse for wear, from a Central NY NRHS excursion.

Here's the station in the 1920's.  Of those in the image, it is the only building still standing:

And here's a more current picture, from the "road" side of the station.  It is in use as a seasonal residence.  I've heard the daughter used to hate the trains going by northbound as there's a crossing just past the station and the horn would blast into her window...

[York1]

A neat example of a station agent's quarters above the station:

 

CN Station Historic Site circa. 1915 - Fort Langley by Peterson Ph♡tography, on Flickr

[wjstix]

As has been mentioned, both 'when' and 'where' make a difference. In the 1890s, everything and everyone coming into and out of a small town would be using the railroad, so having a 'live in' station master made sense. As time went on, and things like automobiles came along, the station master could live in a house and drive to work in the station. By the mid-20th century, with less business for the railroad, you might have one employee in charge of more than one station, working at one station in the morning and another in the afternoon, or perhaps on alternating days.

[diningcar]

Depends upon location. Phoenix or Holbrook, AZ would have substantial differences. 

[BaltACD]

In the mid-20th Century - YES.  The only exception is that the Agent generally lives in a house in his community.  The Agent was also frequently involved in Railway Express Agency business and was frequently the Western Union Telegraph representative in town.  In addition to handling the accounting functions for his station he would also converse with his customers their forthcoming car needs for loading.  The car requirements would be forwarded to the Division Car Distributor at Division headquarters.

[tree68]

I would surmise (and often use as an example) that a live-in station agent was probably responsible for station operations 24/7.  This would obviously apply to a station with relatively light traffic.  

We have a station along the line that was originally built as a single story, with the second floor added later precisely as quarters for such an agent.

There was a large lumber complex there, no doubt requiring accounting for cars in and out as well as passengers, etc.

An example of the 24/7 thing would be a train that comes in at 3 in the morning, requiring the agent to be up and deal with it.  He would otherwise adjust his personal time (including sleep) in accordance with the schedule.  I would imagine that if there was enough business, a second agent would also work the station.

[MP173]

I purchased a book entitled "The Station Agent's Blue Book, A Practical Reference Book for those Actively engaged in Station Work..." by O.B. Kirkpatrick.  The 500+ page book outlines just about everything an agent could encounter.  While there is no date of publication my guess is the '20s - 30's.

Lots of accounting, tariff coverage, reports, and rules included.  It appears that the station agent was the local face of the railroad in dealing with freight and passenger customers.  Would have been an interesting job.  Remember at that time there was quite a bit LCL business.

Ed

[Gramp]

I recall reading an account of a station agent in Omro, Wisconsin back in the 1800s. The station agent was provided living quarters by the railroad in the station, but at the same time was required to pay out of his wages any expenses incurred in the operation of the station. This included repairs to a short swing bridge over the Fox River, which was navigable at that time.

[Ulrich]

What were the responsibilities of a station agent in a smaller community? Was he/she responsible for all aspects of running the station i.e. selling tickets, unloading of baggage cars, station maintenance etc? Just curious.. station agents often lived in accommodations above the station, suggesting that the job involved alot more than 9 to 5 and was more of a lifestyle commitment.