Waiting for your Albert


I like this piece from the Berwickshire News of 100 years ago

PRESENTATION - An unpretentious but nonetheless very pleasant function was performed at Chirnside Station on Saturday evening. A few weeks ago Mr C Hume, goods booking clerk, received intimation, that after a period of seven years service in the above capacity at Chirnside, in the service of the North British Railway Company, he was required for a more important post at Haddington, to which place he had immediately to remove and take up the duties of chief clerk. It is pleasing to know that the services of such an able servant are appreciated and recognised by those in authority. Mr Hume was presented with a beautiful gold albert and appendages.

One wonders, doesn't one if a future goods booking clerk at the sometimes to be reopened Reston Station will be so generously treated after 7 years service. A Gold Albert would set Scotrail/Nationalised National Express East Coast back a pretty penny and as for the appendages-£591 to you sir if you hurry here

No need to worry as I suspect Reston Station has slipped down the shopping list-even below the Waverley Line which is now the White Elephant in the stall rather than in the room. And anyhow any new station will not need a Station Master never mind a goods booking clerk (goods from Reston being confined to pampered pets in baskets). Like Dalgety Bay it would rate a self service ticket machine and a tannoy with a disembodied voice reminding the potential passenger that today's 1234 to Waverley has been cancelled but there may be another one on Thursday.

Any inconvenience etc etc

The images are of Chirnside Railway Station-small and cosy and of Duns-magnificent and busy. Leaving Duns after 7 years as an 'able servant' would have rated a solid gold Hunter with matching accessories plus a handsome cheque. More of the same here

Chirnside Station Announcement" The late arrival of the 1000 train is much regretted.


Someone has nicked the rails"

Labels: Borders Railways, Reston Station

  ¶ 8:12 AM