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A steam train sets off for the salt mine in winter. |
Down the Salt Mine Line. I set off for work although it's still night It’s an hour or so until it gets light Flakes of falling snow settle on my head But I soon arrive at the railway shed. I carefully cross the snow covered track My sandwich bag hanging across my back Plus all the tools I picked up from the store I leave them on the locomotive floor. Then off to the cabin to make some tea In billy-can for my driver and me Back to the engine to stoke up the fire I need to get the steam pressure higher. The driver is filling the rods with oil The water in the boiler starts to boil This small locomotive will suit us fine To take empty salt trucks down to the mine. The engine is ready, it’s time to go Leaving the depot we move nice and slow And when we reverse in the old goods yard There waiting and shivering stands the guard. He hooks up the trucks as quick as he can Then hurries off to his warm cosy van He waves his lamp light to start off the ride A short whistle pop and he goes inside. We are watching the signal on the ground As dawn is slowly breaking all around And as we are greeting the end of night The signal turns to show a bright green light. We leave the goods yard through the snow and ice From our warm cab, the scene looks very nice We can’t see the tracks because of the snow But our small train knows where it has to go. Out through the station and we pick up speed We have all the fire and steam that we need As we rumble through town and make our way The local people rise to start the day. The driver lifts the regulator high Sends steam, smoke, and embers towards the sky He increases the speed on our short ride Travelling through the snowy countryside. I shovel more coal into the fire box Keeping my balance as the loco' rocks It seems like the engine enjoys the feast Just like a coal consuming hungry beast. Then we slow down to leave the fast main line Make a turn on the branch line to the mine Closed in by the bushes and by the trees Their heavy, snowy loads, sway in the breeze. Drop down to the mine where we change our train Make a fresh brew before we leave again We thunder out across the gated road Pulling out with our heavy salty load. When we get back our day is not yet done There is some trucks to shunt 'til half past one Before we can return onto the shed And put our locomotive back to bed. Then we leave the depot just after two I’ve enjoyed the work that I've had to do And then tomorrow, I will not complain To go an early run once again. |