The Men of the Rail

Locomotive – Photo SLWA

Through time and space in a furious race
Spurning the midnight gales.
The steel steel reels on flying wheels
Over the shining rails;
With a good cigar in the sleepy cars,
Cosy and safe and warm,
Ye pay small heed to the headlong speed
And the men who breast the storm.

When the signal flares and, the red light glares
Out of the darkness dread,
Scant time is there for oath or prayer
By the men who ride ahead,
With rapid thought as the quick deed wrought
That checks the rushing train,
And it’s hit or miss as the air-tubes hiss
And the brake rods grind and strain.

Tis theirs to dare both foul and fair
Just as the Lord may send
With a steadfast heart from the whirling start
To the good or evil end;
It’s all in the work, though death may lurk
In the murky gloom before,
They laugh and tear in the muddy cheer
That streams from the furnace door.

Now this is the dream of the Sons of Steam
Men of the cab and rail,
“A level track and no looking back
From the lure of the homeward trail;
We’ll strike right through on a schedule true,
And never a moment late,
For there’s no delay on the right of way
When we pay our debts to fate.”

Author Unknown –
From: Yellowdine ‘Treasures in the Bush’ by Delys Howlett

Bio
Latest Posts

Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)

Blood on the Mulga Plains: The Last Day of John Sutherland - 28/02/2026
A Brother’s Return in Mourning: Tragedy on the Coolgardie Goldfields - 28/02/2026
The Contract at Old Warden Shaft - 28/02/2026

The Men of the Rail – a verse