TYPE THREE LAMENT

(Composed prior to 1971; from manuscript held by B. Burke)
 
An L.M.S. Pacific wasn’t too scientific, but, boy, was it tough.
When I knew ’em of course, they were on their last legs. Like me, growing old and rough
in need of repair and care-and-attention. A delicate job, you know,
- A belt with a hammer to show her who’s boss and (most of the time) she’d GO!
 
You got some satisfaction in the good old days of Steam.
- These Type Three Diesels are neat and sweet as a maiden’s dream
but you think they’ve got no character? You’re a little bit wrong, my lad.
There’s plenty of character there all right; most of the time it’s bad.
 
Now this old cow has got Diesel-Hydraulic Transmission.
A very expensive collection of bolts and nuts.
But hear her complain on a train and you get the very strong suspicion
that this old cow hasn’t got any bleedin’ GUTS!
 
 
[AUTHOR’S NOTE: What on earth is a Type Three? What exactly does a diesel hydraulic do? You don’t expect me to either know or CARE. However, it WOULD be nice to be accurate. TYPE SEVEN LAMENT?]
 
[BACK TO "RAILWAY POEMS" SELECTION]