1881 occupation in Lancashire

[plimmerian]

a traffic agent (and something after it) 

previous census listed as a manager of a cotton mill and before that a clerk

what was a traffic agent 

thanks

[KGarrad]

I'm sure it's an abbreviation for Railway?

[Billyblue]

And is that O/S inserted after Agent?  For Overseer, perhaps?

Dawn M

[plimmerian]

just discovered that after this he became a publican 

[griz]

A 'renaissance man'  Did he move around a lot too?

[stanmapstone]

Agent, goods: depot agent, goods superintendent, traffic agent; has entire charge of a railway goods station or depot, controlling staff, directing district canvassing agents, and supervising generally the work of canvassers, goods foremen, checkers, officemen, loaders etc. " A Dictionary of Occupational Terms"

Stan

[stanmapstone]

A canvasser, traffic canvasser; calls on commercial firms and others offering and explaining traffic facilities and trying to secure their custom; reports to the goods agent if canvassing for goods, or to passenger agent if canvassing for passenger traffic.  " A Dictionary of Occupational Terms"

Stan

[plimmerian]

thanks for those - ironically his final job listed before he died is a draper (and employer) - seems so varied for that time and compared to what I usually find!
best wishes and thanks again