46 years on, and in 1906, Highley Signalman Robbie has just lost his wife, Deborah. Daughter Jane persuades him to move in with her and his grandson George, overweight, innocent, clumsy and scared of his mother and his grandfather, and is about to start work as a lad porter at the station under the redoubtable Albert Jellicoe, while best friend Ted Jarvis starts as an engine cleaner.
Jane sends George with a mug of tea for Robbie, who tells him that the trouble he has had today will pass, and so will Mr Jellicoe's anger. Ted tells George that if he has any trouble with Mr Jellicoe to ask how his wife is. George meets Annie, a young lady going into service as under-kitchen maid for William Crowhurst and carries her trunk to his house. Mr Holmes asks George to cover for him for an hour, and George is asked for a special train to Shrewsbury for the King.
George runs for Mr Jellicoe, who is fishing on his day off. Mr Holmes returns in time to help George look for carpet in Mr Jellicoe's attic, and George also finds bunting from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 to decorate the station for the Royal Train which is being cleaned by Ted Jarvis. Jane tells George how pleased she is with how George handled the situation with the King, and Mr Allen, general Superintendent of the line, inspects the station to surprise Robbie with a watch for his long service for the company and the staff a bonus for their handling of the royal train. Annie breaks his heart by introducing her fiancé Walter. George is promoted as a new lad porter joins the staff and Mr Holmes catches the train to his new station, wishing him luck.