After a pilot for the programme was broadcast on 14 August 1995, full production was green-lighted, with the sitcom running for two series from 8 July 1996 to 28 September 1997.

Despite good initial viewing figures, the show was axed after two series following extensive problems competing with other programming on the BBC.

Agreeing to this, the writer was partnered up with Richard Spendlove, who had extensive history with the railways and helped to produce the script for the pilot, rather than with his previous creative collaborators.

The cost of using the line and the locomotive had a notable impact on the show's budget, effectively requiring the BBC to provide it with more money than other programming during its production.

However, his arrival presents a dilemma for May, who had a romantic fling with him while dating Jack, before the couple's marriage, and that she has no idea that Parkin still loves her even after they parted ways around the time of the Second World War.

[6] On the surface, he seems refined, but it turns out that he knows the station's buffet manager because they had a passionate affair, which was going on behind her boyfriend (later husband) Jack Skinner's back.

The station staff react to him in different ways – most are tolerant of him, but Jack and Harry, the signalman, take an intense dislike to him, which only slightly mellows as the series goes on.

Jack Skinner (Paul Shane) Head Porter and Deputy Stationmaster – He is deeply in love with his beautiful wife, May, but gets very jealous whenever she comes into close contact with other men, especially Cecil.

He is an ex-soldier with a limp from a wound he supposedly received during the war – only in Episode 9 we learn that his leg was wounded when he was thrown out of a pub and the landlord's wife slammed the door on his foot, not during a battle, although Ethel changed the story to him jumping on a German tank to shove a land mine down it and a big German trapped his foot in the door.

She is also a flirt – she has a son from her marriage to a now deceased American soldier named Earl, whom she frequently refers to in the earlier episodes.

Because trains come through Hatley only a few times a day, he operates numerous sidelines from his box: growing vegetables, mending bikes and clocks, rearing farm animals (pigs, turkeys and chickens) for the staff's dinners, giving haircuts and taking bets.

She has a lot in common with Ethel: she muddles her words and frequently talks about her unnamed late husband, who was an engine driver.

Wilfred joins the Army in one episode so as to allow Ethel to elope with her new American airmen boyfriend, but she ends the relationship.

Ralph (Perry Benson) Fireman and Trainee Driver – Works with Arnold – the two often engage in comic banter.

Mr Orkindale (Richard Spendlove) District Inspector – Senior to Parkin, calls staff by Christian names and fancies May.

As staff prepare for his regime, news soon arrives about Dr Beeching's plans for Britain's railway that could leave Hatley under threat of possible closure.

Ethel returns to Hatley in a blissful mood, singing one of the hit songs from musical she had watched at the cinema.

But both soon receive news that upends their plans May gets accidentally left behind, when the staff head off for the annual Hatley Bowls Club Outing, except for Parkin, who delights in this.

Fueled by his jealousy, he is soon trying to find a way to get home fast, even if it means taking control of the train, much to Ethel's displeasure when she serves the Outing's buffet car.

Parkin is surprised when a chauffeur for Lady Lawrence informs them that his employer is to come to the station to meet Dr Beeching.

Naturally, he is eager for the station to make a good impression, and so has the Hatley staff spruce up everything, before arranging a rehearsal session to ensure everyone knows what to do when their VIP turns up, unaware her ladyship is meeting someone else.

A complete box set containing both series and all 19 episodes (also including the original pilot) was made available, distributed by Acorn Media UK in 2009.