The Old Steam Train

Standing at the station

Waiting for the train

I hear a loud shrill whistle

There it is again.

Far off in the distance

Chuff Chuff Chuff I hear

Here comes a big black steam engine

It is on fire I fear!

From its chimney pours black smoke

The station’s full of fog

I see the driver stoke the fire

What is he doing with that log?

Step from the platform onto the train

There lingers the smell of a cherished cigar

The shabby seats all creak and groan

“We’re off “ shouts a voice from a megaphone.

The ticket collector comes along

With his dark uniform he stands grimly to attention

Tears the ticket right in half

Well what I said I dare not mention!

The doors are shut, the whistle blows

The guard dips the flag jumps in the guard van

Better get my head inside

Don’t want to be a dead man.

We’re off at last, to puff puff puff

The steam comes wafting back

I wheeze and splutter, cough and choke

Then into a tunnel, everything goes black.

Clickety click, clickety click, clickety click

The wheels go round and round

Out of the tunnel and into the light

Again the whistle blows – we’re seaside bound

Stop at a station by a water tank

Go and see the driver and his mate

They’re taking on water to turn to steam

This is a smell you love to hate.

We're nearly now at journey’s end

What an adventure this has been

Why would I put myself through all this you ask?

To relive the wonderful days of steam

The smell of steam goes through my lungs

I breathe in its aroma

You see I’m on a nostalgic memory trip

On a steam train going to Cromer

© Barbara Brewin. All rights reserved 29.07.2008