UK - 'Twas ever thus

[John Ashworth]

'Twas ever thus. A new General Manager was rather shocked at the rather casual regard for punctuality that existed, and issued the following notice to staff:

Usually our trains start late, lose time on the road, and arrive late at the end of the journey. Those of our staff who have travelled over other railways will have noticed a marked difference in the manner in which trains are dealt with at the stations. Local passengers are permitted to wander up and down the platforms instead of being requested to take their seats the instant the train stops. I wish to remind staff that before a train draws up to a station, everything that forethought can suggest should be prepared, and the instant the train stops, everyone should be anxious to get it started on its way without the loss of a second.

- Thomas Addy Wilson, GM of the Highland Railway, to staff in June 1898.