Gateman

The cars built before 1913 had clerestory roofs, after the American style, and also were provided with gates and end vestibule platforms requiring gatemen.

The crossing caused serious congestion with long traffic hold-ups, and had been a bone of contention between the local authorities and the railway for over eighty years. It was controlled from Fletton Road Junction Signalbox (removed at the same time) and, until a wheel was installed in 1920, required two gatemen on each turn of duty.

The carriages - or cars - had gated platforms at the end, where 'gatemen' stood and controlled the flow of passengers on and off the trains in the absence of automatic doors. […] When each gateman had secured his doors and gate, he rang a bell, then the conductor rang his bell as the signal for the driver to set off.