GWR King 4-6-0 No 6008 King James II with the down 'Royal Duchy' approaching Exeter St.Davids on 3 September 1958. Note that that crossing keeper, believed to be introduced by the Bristol & Exeter Railway and one has been there ever since - even now!
That must be the longest form of employment outside military or government ever.

Peter Kerslake says "A fine late evening study study of Plymouth Laira's 6008 'King James II' running into Exeter St. David's and with the customary crossing keeper at his usual post watching out for any wayward pedestrians here at Red Cow crossing.
6008 is working home to Laira and due into Plymouth at 6:25 p.m. where it will hand the 'Royal Duchy' over to a fresh engine for its onward run down to Penzance.
One of Laira's finest at this time 6008 had been housed there from June of 1952 before moving away to Wolverhampton in February of 1959 and its withdrawal in June of 1962. "


Photo: K.L. Cook / Rail Archive Stephenson