MEET the three crossing keepers who were made redundant when their jobs reached the end of the line in 1967. When they were told they were losing their jobs they were actually quite relieved - because apart from reading, knitting and making tea they had l

MEET the three crossing keepers who were made redundant when their jobs reached the end of the line in 1967.

When they were told they were losing their jobs they were actually quite relieved - because apart from reading, knitting and making tea they had little to occupy themselves.

For six hours a day, five days a week they were on duty on a stretch of the loop line from March to Wimblington and were hardly ever called on to open and close the gates. In fact before it finally closed, the line was dubbed 'the ghost line'.

When interviewed at the beginning of June, Albert Brown said the last time he had been called on to operate the gates was on May 12.

Albert manned the crossing at Manea Road, Wimblington, and spent most of his time reading. He built up quite a library in his hut.

His wife Margaret worked nearby at the Eastwood End crossing and knitted a number of cardigans in her spare time.

Charlie Dance was stationed at Wimblington's Bridge Lane crossing. A keen carpenter, he was hoping to buy his keeper's hut to use as a workshop.