The year is 1963, and the new station master at the rural outpost of Hatley has just been informed that many of Britain's less-used railway stations could be closed by the head of British Rail, Dr. Beeching.

The staff resolve to do everything that they can to make a good impression and keep the station - and indeed the line - open. Unfortunately, love rivalries, jealousy, short tempers and incompetence combine with a deeply ingrained easy pace of lifestyle at the station to make this a task far easier said than done!