RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 1, 2020 6 hours ago, steve1 said: Blyth Power are a folk-punk band formed by a railway enthusiast called Joseph Porter and named after a Class 56. They have several railway-related songs, Junction Signal is just one of them. There's also Eastfield, an "Urban Rail Punk" band (in their own words) named after the depot. Their website, run by the main man Jesse has some superb railway photos on it. https://www.eastfieldrailpunk.co.uk/ Mr Cloggy Dog of this parish is well acquainted with both of these beat groups... steve Their song Land Sea And Sky names all the class 50s! Andi 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveyDee68 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 (edited) If discussing songs about trains, surely we cannot forget the most well-known train song of the past couple of decades, the end credits song from the Thomas and Friends animated TV series? Slightly earlier, the animated series Chigley had "The Little Steam Engine", probably better known by it's first line "Time flies by when I'm the driver of a train" as sung by the wonderful Mr Brian Cant. Not a song as such, but instantly recognisable about trains is W H Auden's poem "Night Mail" which is recited over music by no less than Benjamin Britten in the 1936 documentary of the same name. As a musician I should revere Britten as one of England's greatest composers (he is) but IMHO his music for that film is instantly forgettable and at times seems totally divorced from either the narrative of the poem or the action on screen! So, can we include music alone depicting trains in this discussion? If so, I submit the following... The opening theme music to Thomas and Friends (not exactly descriptive, but that tonk piano theme is instantly recognisable!) Next, the quirky theme music for the Ivor The Engine animated TV series; took a while to find a clip with the later solo bassoon version of the opening credits - at the end of this (longish) clip the theme is started again in its original trio version! How about a proper bit of music about a proper train? "Coronation Scott" by Vivian Ellis! Another depiction of a train by a classical composer was "The Little Train of the Caipira" by Villa-Lobos. If you've not heard this before, it depicts a wheezy old steam train. It is perhaps the best musical depiction of a train starting its journey, and certainly if you listen to the end you will hear the train decelerate and come to a standstill. Definitely worth a listen (and you can ignore the artwork!) My musical background stems from brass bands, and two pieces spring to mind. Firstly, "Intercity" by Darrol Barry, a Salford-born composer and lecturer in brass band studies; sadly, I cannot find a recording available to share of this piece. Secondly is the third movement from Gordon Langford's "Three Howarth Impressions", which is called "Worth Valley Railway". This definitely 'borrows' elements of Villa-Lobos' work (particularly in the acceleration of the train near the start) but what I think Langford captures perfectly is the ca-tack ca-tack (beat) ca-tack ca-tack of carriage wheels passing over rail joints. It is also worth a listen, although in this YouTube recording you will need to start at 9:20 unless you want to listen to the other two movements first! Edited June 1, 2020 by SteveyDee68 Corrected links 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium zarniwhoop Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 The Empire State Express (Son House, covered by Rory Gallagher) But for an earlier railway song - Are Ye Right There, Michael (Percy French, modern covers on youtube) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 It’s interesting to note that the majority of the songs about railways listed in this thread are American songs. Understandably, given the influence of the railways in America on that part of society which generated so many folk and blues singers/musicians. For me, the definitive British song about railways is by Jethro Tull, from their Heavy Horses album. Called Journeyman, both lyrics and music invoke a very British sense of railway. "Journeyman" Spine-tingling railway sleepers --- Sleepy houses lying four-square and firm Orange beams divide the darkness Rumbling fit to turn the waking worm. Sliding through Victorian tunnels where green moss oozes from the pores. Dull echoes from the wet embankments Battlefield allotments. Fresh open sores. In late night commuter madness Double-locked black briefcase on the floor like a faithful dog with master sleeping in the draught beside the carriage door. To each Journeyman his own home-coming Cold supper nearing with each station stop Frosty flakes on empty platforms Fireside slippers waiting. Flip. Flop. Journeyman night-tripping on the late fantasic Too late to stop for tea at Gerard's Cross and hear the soft shoes on the footbridge shuffle as the wheels turn biting on the midnight frost. On the late commuter special Carriage lights that flicker, fade and die Howling into hollow blackness Dusky diesel shudders in full cry. Down redundant morning papers Abandon crosswords with a cough Stationmaster in his wisdom told the guard to turn the heating off. Whenever I hear this song, it brings back memories of travelling on the last train from Waterloo back to Andover, Hampshire in the mid 80s. iD 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caradoc Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 I'm slightly surprised no-one has mentioned the brilliant English band Big Big Train, who (apart from their name !) have multiple rail references on their 2013 double album English Electric Full Power; Songs entitled The Permanent Way and East Coast Racer, and photos of Eastleigh Works, Leicester shed (referenced in the song Summoned by Bells), a PW gang at work and 4498 Mallard (which is what East Coast Racer is about). And their (ex)-guitarist Dave Gregory was of course a member of XTC, the documentary about who heavily featured Pendon. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium chris-shay Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 There is “Graffitti on the Train” by The Stereophonics. Also the band Train from San Francisco I think? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 47 minutes ago, caradoc said: I'm slightly surprised no-one has mentioned the brilliant English band Big Big Train, who (apart from their name !) have multiple rail references on their 2013 double album English Electric Full Power; Songs entitled The Permanent Way and East Coast Racer, and photos of Eastleigh Works, Leicester shed (referenced in the song Summoned by Bells), a PW gang at work and 4498 Mallard (which is what East Coast Racer is about). And their (ex)-guitarist Dave Gregory was of course a member of XTC, the documentary about who heavily featured Pendon. Their first album is called “Goodbye To The Age Of Steam” too! One of their other albums features a song called Evening Star. Back To Squeeze, and their song “Third Rail”, rather suits a South London band! British prog band Mostly Autumn do a nice instrumental “Distant Train”. Over the pond, Bob Seger’s “Long Twin Silver Line” is a nice chunk of railroad inspired rock n roll. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyC Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 (edited) There is a Scottish Borders folk group who have a song 'The Reivers' which contains references to the borders railways http://www.scocha.co.uk/the_reivers.html Also this by George Inglis written for the reopening of the Borders railway. Edited June 1, 2020 by JeremyC 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
62613 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 16 hours ago, pH said: There definitely was a topic on this, but it appears to have been on an earlier version of the site. Some suggestions: Play a Train Song - Todd Snider Texas Eagle - Steve Earle Dixie Flyer - Randy Newman The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore - Johnny Cash She Caught the Katy (And Left Me a Mule to Ride) - Blues Brothers Southern Streamline - John Fogerty Southern Pacific - Neil Young All the songs from 'The Ballad of John Axon' - https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-ballad-of-john-axon-mw0000243698 Oh, yes! A groundbreaking programme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium petethemole Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 Paradise by John Prine, written in 1971, is a lament for the lost landscape of part of Kentucky, destroyed by strip mining, and the lost town of Paradise. The refrain goes: And daddy, won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where Paradise lay Well, I'm sorry, my son, but you're too late in asking Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium drjcontroller Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 The L & N don't stop here anymore - Johnny Cash, though I prefer the Michelle Shocked version. The Death of the Dining Car by Lau, off the album The Bell that never rang. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith J Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 4 hours ago, Colin said: British prog band Mostly Autumn do a nice instrumental “Distant Train”. Mostly Autumn also have a song called Passengers on the same album. and there's Slow Train by Status Quo from the album Quo 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 1, 2020 22 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said: City of New Orleans - most famously sung by Arlo Guthrie. (Also covered by Willie Nelson). There's a nice YouTube version coupled with some video of heritage stock. I prefer the version by The Highwaymen - got a bit more punch to it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 6 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said: I prefer the version by The Highwaymen - got a bit more punch to it. I have the version by Steve Goodman, who wrote it. Chris 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 (edited) I believe this lady is on a train in Exeter St Davids, Edited June 1, 2020 by Clive Mortimore 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 1, 2020 A very private one that I can't find anywhere was one written (mainly) by Cal Ford and I suspect only performed once (and never recorded) about Radyr Yard that he played at the annual Radyr staff social and retirement evening in the BRSA at Cardiff Queen Street in 1973. I can't find much about his regular repertoire from that time so I don't know if anything about it survived. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sidecar Racer Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 Chris de Burgh , The Spanish Train . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 (edited) H*nky Tonk Train Blues, various artists. The Original Original H*nky Tonk Night Train Blues - Pete Atkin. Describes accurately the workings of a steam loco. steve Edited June 2, 2020 by steve1 Won't accept h*nky for some reason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DIW Posted June 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2020 (edited) Trans Europe Express - Kraftwerk Achterbahn - Spider Murphy Gang Train - Leo Sayer Edited June 1, 2020 by DIW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffers Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 "Leaves on the line" describes the making excuses for failures. Local singer/songwriter in Norwich Richard Sutton. https://youtu.be/6K6OA95XfM4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NittenDormer Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 The Men They Couldn't Hang - Rain, Steam and Speed Also - Midnight Train - I think about nuclear waste transport? Imagine the music class where you are given that theme to write a song around. They do a fair amount of historical-themed songs - Ironmasters, Waiting For Bonaparte [Spithead mutiny], Ghosts of Cable Street. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clagsniffer Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Day we caught the train by Ocean Colour Scene 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve W Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Brett Stevens "Green all the Way" album. 20 tracks of railway songs and sounds. BBC Records 1969. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 I've never understood if Porcupine Tree's " Trains" was about trains, or model railways, or something completely different and intellectually way over my head. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastglosmog Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Just heard on Radio 3 "Faint heart in a railway train", words by Thomas Hardy, arranged by Muriel Emily Herbert. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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