by Kezza67
It almost changes Station master into a human being. To me, the fact that he did not know what a friend is damning to the system. The whole idea of someone living only to do their job is strange nowadays, and those who do it are certainly seen as weird.
so it is not surprising he had no friends.
The Station Master was above the other local railway staff, but below the squire and Vicar (I assume there is one, although he hasn't been mentioned), so in a small community like this he would have nobody to be friends with!
It is OK for Woody to talk to Abby. Thomas and Marion are both gone. He won't be breaking his promise now.