stationmasters

A stationmaster is the senior official in charge of a railway station, responsible for supervising daily operations, ensuring safety, managing staff, and coordinating with train movements and service delivery.

Key duties include supervising ticket sales and passenger assistance, platform management, maintenance of facilities, authorizing platform access, coordinating with signal operators and train crews, handling emergencies, and ensuring compliance with railway rules and safety regulations.

Historically, the stationmaster was one of the most important posts at a railway station, especially on smaller lines, with authority over timetable adherence, revenue collection, and staff discipline. The position emerged in the 19th century as rail networks expanded. In modern networks, many routine duties have been redistributed to operations managers, customer service centers, or regional control rooms.

Across regions, the title and exact duties vary. In the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth systems, the term remains stationmaster in some contexts, but larger stations often employ a station manager or operations manager to oversee multiple platforms and services.

Professional preparation typically includes railway safety training, customer service, and supervisory skills. Career progression may move from trainee or deputy stationmaster to stationmaster, with experience in operations, revenue management, and incident response.