I would like to know what is meant by the term “agency, agencies” in railroading?
I would want some greater specificity in context. A railroad agent may be a self-employed Mom & Pop at a remote interchange where passenger/freight charges are levied on those who wish to board a train passing by. Could be a store that has both a mail and a rail counter, but everything has to be shipped by van or truck to the nearest railhead.
We are talking about a representation to the public on behalf of the railroad…so if it isn’t a direct employee-run establishment by the railroad, it would have to be a third party.
-Crandell
An ‘Agency Station’ is a location where there is a ‘agent’ in depot who does thing like freight billing. Some stations were not ‘Agency Stations’ and billing was handled by the agent at another station. Many times the agent was a agent/operator and copied train orders, did freight billing, was the REA express agent, and also sold passenger tickets.
Jim
it is a generic term for the location of the railroad’s local business office. often but not always located at their main freight house in older days. usually staffed by the local freight agent and clerical forces. size and scope of the operation depended upon the size of the community and the amount of business the railroad handles there.
there used to be one at just about every depot but modern communications such as the fax machine etc. no longer require human contact between customers and the railroad agent in order to conduct business.
some once took care of both passenger and freight business and the agent also funcioned as block operator, telegrapher, ticket seller, lcl handler etc. at remote locations he was furnished with living quarters by the railroad company.
grizlump
Thanks. Very helpful.