Characters . . .

Bill Tarbox was very proud of the station gardens and would not hesitate to express blunt disapproval if anyone interfered with his flowers. He had a vocabulary of words not always meant for delicate ears and anyone interfering with the station gardens was in for trouble. One day he was faced with great embarrassment when he caught a stranger picking a rose, using his verbal ammunition he asked what the hell the intruder was doing, adding that he had personally bought the rose himself. The dignified reply came with an apology and an offer of payment; Bill unceremoniously rejected this. It was at this moment that he espied the Prince of Wales standing back in hearing distance with a facial expression that he was no stranger to this brand of the English language. . . .

Ticket Collector Albert Perry served in the Great War of 1914-18. Albert was known for his skill in drawing on the notice boards at Bletchley Station and received a letter of appreciation from the Company. He was awarded a gratuity of 10s 6d and a cheque for this amount was handed to him by the Station Master. . . .

Jim was a trained and expert 'weazeler'. The intention of the passenger was to give the recognized tip of six pence or one shilling. As the passenger stepped inside the carriage door and said, 'What about my change?', Jim quickly closed the door and said, 'Change at Crewe' and departed as did the train and the astounded passenger in it.