The Man Under The Platform


While walking along the platform of your local train station, have you ever wondered what's going on beneath your feet?

No, neither have I.

However, I recently discovered that there is a man down there performing a very important role.



For it is his job to ensure that the wheels of incoming trains are perfectly aligned with the tracks on which they come in on.

The slightest discrepancy or irregularity will be immediately addressed by the man under the platform, thereby guaranteeing the smooth continuation of an impeccable nationwide service.

During the rush hour, they usually work in pairs....


Two men under a platform waiting for the 7.57 bound for Tokyo.


Rarely spoken of and seldom seen, the man under the platform does not seek the limelight, nor recognition.

Instead, he simply goes about his duty responsibly and diligently, with the sole aim of ensuring that those using the train service can do so secure in the knowledge that the width of the track will be precisely the same as the distance between the wheels of the train on which they are travelling. No wider. No narrower.


A bullet train arriving perfectly as the man under the platform looks on.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 07, 2010 at 11:50 pm. You can skip to the end and leave a response.