Parsley Sidings is a small, out-of-the-way railway station in the Midlands, located on the line between London and Birmingham. Parsley Sidings only has six trains stopping per day, and thus the station is always under the threat of closure.

The manager of the station is Mr Horace Hepplewhite (Authur Lowe), whose family have managed the station for generations. His gormless son Bertrand is not so keen on running the station however, he would rather enter acting.

Other staff at the station included secretary Gloria Simpkins (Liz Fraser) who is in love with Bertrand, crafty cockney porter Percy Valentine and elderly signalman Mr Bradshaw (both played by Kenneth Connor).