First episode where a sensation is caused at Hatley when the efficient new Station master, Cecil Parkin, arrives. He is far from impressed by the way the station is run, but overjoyed to discover that the station buffet is run by May Blanchflower, with whom he once had a passionate affair. But, sadly, she is now a married woman, and her husband is the station porter, Jack Skinner. The episode ends with Mr Parkin discovering the newspaper article which announces that Dr. Beeching intends to close down thousands of railway stations and Hatley is under threat.

Mr Parkin plans to make Hatley Station more sophisticated by setting up a new speaker system, over which the station announcements will be made. Mrs Schumann, who is in charge of the booking office, is chosen to make the announcements, but will her nerves get the better of her?