tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884350260834195982011-12-21T15:25:24.044+11:00songs, poems, music and anecdotes (collectors' blog)Australian Railway Songshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594997761390242493noreply@blogger.comBlogger1601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-83567069194121145852015-11-16T11:12:00.009+11:002011-01-28T12:32:42.990+11:00

Review by Sandra Nixon This collection of Australian Railway songs, poems, music, anecdotes and stories is being brought together by the Bush Music Club for a working book of material that can be used by bands and individuals for developing concerts and other performances on the theme of Australian Railways. For over 150 years songwriters, poets musicians and writers have observed and

Australian Railway Songshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594997761390242493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-81690657116112449592011-03-26T08:29:00.002+11:002011-03-26T08:29:25.512+11:00

‘TOOT for the Future’ Music/Video In the run up to the State Government elections, with the intention of showing the community support for the return of train services to the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line, a music video project, ‘TOOT for the Future’ was created. In February the song was recorded by Garth Kindred and the ‘TOOTERS’ at Old Dog Studios Corndale and on March 10th & 12th a video

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-59725395958055357362011-03-13T21:00:00.003+11:002011-03-14T11:41:42.349+11:00

A song by Garth Kindred©Kindred Song 2009. (Latest Version Jan 2011) We want our trains back on the tracks. We want our trains, we need them back. To move the people from town to town. To help the young and old to get around. We want our trains back on the tracks. We want our trains, we need them back. TOOT for the future ~ Trains on our tracks. TOOT for the future ~ We want them back! From

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-5422004763372230272010-12-04T14:43:00.004+11:002010-12-04T14:47:11.990+11:00

A Song by Dani Karis©Dani Karis 2005 Train, train train, running a hundred years Along this track, along this track, from the city to the hills Through the rain, under the sun and starlit sky Train, train train, running a hundred years Along this track, along this track, from the city to the hills Watching some things change, some stay the same, passing time But some things done cannot be

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-72186254575767275092010-11-30T17:31:00.005+11:002010-11-30T17:49:59.149+11:00

Unloading camels at the old wharf Fettlers working on the track Derailment north of Farina - early 1900s Photos Courtesy Scarlett Gray

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-81772054233325946972010-10-28T16:59:00.008+11:002010-10-29T09:22:32.558+11:00

One Hundred and Ninety Six Australian Railway Museums to Go! The Blue Mountains Railway Music Trip July 2010 (Brian Dunnett  2010) This is a brief over view of a short musical/poetry tour arranged by members of the Sydney based Bush Music Club (BMC) that took them to 2 Folk Clubs and 2 Railway Heritage Museums in the Blue Mountains of NSW on a very cold July weekend this year. It was an

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-34987111197341098272010-07-01T15:07:00.004+10:002010-12-02T20:14:52.986+11:00

Hawker Quorn Railway Station Quorn Railway Station Photos Courtesy Scarlett Gray

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-77136491717124910892010-05-23T20:38:00.007+10:002010-05-25T21:42:10.926+10:00

Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11543744The Argus Wednesday 14 June 1882 p.6 LONG HOURS OF RAILWAY OFFICIALS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.Sir,-In the House to-day the motiontabled by the Hon. R. Clark for the intro-duction of the eight hours' system among railway employees comes up for discussion, andevery right thinking person will agree

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-89968391263781868752010-05-23T08:28:00.007+10:002010-05-23T08:53:51.533+10:00

Launch Review by Sandra Nixon (March 2010)First proposed in the early 1980's, the first edition of the book was launched at the National Folk Festival April 2010.Compiled by Brian Dunnett, using contributions from the Railway Songs Blogspot and other sources, and edited by Ralph Pride, it contains 37 songs with music, in a spiral bound book for easy use by performers.This collection of Australian

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-16415906870345213572010-05-19T07:59:00.002+10:002010-05-19T08:03:50.800+10:00

The Future of Australian Railways and Their On Going Cultural InfluenceOver the last few years several Australian State Railway systems celebrate their 150 years of history and the influence railways have had on moulding many aspects of Australia’s way of life. This took place in a period when Australian Railway operators and Governments are again debating the future direction of Australian

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-52444120271437689652010-05-18T21:24:00.002+10:002010-05-18T21:27:44.968+10:00

The Hundred Year Old DreamThe Alice Springs Darwin RailwayThe linking of Australia’s north to south had long been a dream of Australian Railway builders. Under the control of the South Australian Government, the famous Ghan narrow gauge line edged its way north from Adelaide as 1879.Eight Years later, in 1887 Chinese labour was used to construct the beginning of a railway south from Darwin. Over

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-49730397598641458262010-05-18T20:01:00.002+10:002010-05-18T20:02:38.848+10:00

Only Rust and MemoriesMany poets’ songwriters and artists in recent times have recorded the demises of Australian Steam Railways in many ways. The steam engine as we have seen was felt to be a live living creature whose very sound can induces nostalgic feelings and excitement into young and old alike. This era is sadly missed The lifeless railway yards railway towns and the rust however is about

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-71708501956909507072010-05-18T19:57:00.001+10:002010-05-18T20:00:00.999+10:00

Railway Accidents: Chance, Bad Luck or CalamityA train delayed by a simple faulty switch, railway signal or even a cow on a railway track is enough to hit the headlines of the daily newspaper if an editor is short of a story. Many of these stories tend to under play the seriousness of railway accidents that have been a problem for 150 years.Unfortunately when a major railway accident occurs (

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-88116073717516124462010-05-18T19:44:00.004+10:002010-09-10T16:33:26.558+10:00

As the Users of Australian Railway Services Saw It Love them or hate them over the years the hundreds of thousands of people that have travelled on Australian Railways with mix feelings. Some people have no alternative to using a train.. Others have alternatives but would travel in no other way to see the Australian Bush and country side Some feel the excitement offer by the daily trips to

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-69433843093510756812010-05-17T18:15:00.003+10:002010-05-17T18:22:23.987+10:00

And Nothing was Cheaper than Men - The 1930’s DepressionIn the early 1930s the development of Australian country music was taking place alongside the worst economic depression in Australian history. ‘Riding the rattler’ became a common way for the unemployed to travel. Many young Australians were travelling the countryside in freight wagons. The over one third of the Australian workforce on the

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-77805189688774855982010-05-17T17:43:00.003+10:002010-05-17T17:52:10.290+10:00

Trains Trains TrainsFrom the very first railway services in Australia trains and what occurred to them and on them have stood out in Australians’ minds. Many trains were given special ‘nicknames’ that related to the function they performed. Names like the “Fish and Chips” (the two special trains that brought passengers to the city to work from the Blue Mountains in NSW), the Comet (The Broken

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-47034269527269419352010-05-17T17:02:00.003+10:002010-05-17T17:06:45.864+10:00

The Post Second World War EraThe post-war era of the Australian Railway Story impressed many country music songwriters, inspired by the nation-building project to establish a standard railway gauge (4’8”) that would link Eastern and Western Australia. This period of Australian Railway history commenced in the late 1950s but it wasn’t till January 1970 that the first freight train ran from

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-23929546111397861682010-05-17T16:57:00.002+10:002010-05-17T16:59:41.517+10:00

The Second World WarThe poor image of railways was to continue into the Second World War when Australian troops being prepared to fight the Japanese were moved north on Queensland Railways and the old Ghan and old Darwin railway lines. Country music was taking hold and many of those involved with it like Buddy Williams moved north with the Armed Services as did many volunteer railway employees.

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-39976287389329551642010-05-17T15:32:00.001+10:002010-05-17T15:34:18.207+10:00

Radical People and Events Linked with Australian Railways(‘Radical’- roots, origins; by extension, those who search out the roots of a problem; politicians of advanced liberal views [The Oxford English Dictionary])The Peter Lalor Connection - A Democratic TraditionTime after time in the stories, poetry and songs of the Australian railways reference is made to the brave men of Eureka. There is a

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-89208579693179225472010-05-17T15:25:00.002+10:002010-05-17T15:30:38.061+10:00

‘Bungs’ – Please Explain -Running an industry on fines, paper and red tape.Working relations of the Australian Railways were established directly out of the earlier Shop and Factories Acts of the industrial revolution that swept through Britain and Europe in the early 1800’s. The workforces of that revolutionary change in work methods were subjected to a range of disciplinary measures in order to

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-78151726616365118552010-05-17T13:06:00.003+10:002010-05-17T13:09:21.598+10:00

Australian Railway WorkshopsMaintenance and building of locomotives, freight wagons and passenger coaches required a huge infrastructure of workshops. At first locomotives were assembled and placed on the railway lines as they were constructed. Repairs were carried out on rolling stock equipment where it broke down. When the railway lines were pushed further inland, a system of repair depots was

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-77826588364944283782010-05-17T13:00:00.003+10:002010-05-17T13:05:28.373+10:00

Engine Drivers, Their Mates and LocomotivesEngine drivers and their work mates have stood out as skilled workers. As well as this, they were prolific poets, songwriters and storytellers. In an era when the huge steam locomotive became a symbol of power some of the mythology of these living hissing beasts rub off on them often creating visions of supermen, who, no matter what conditions prevailed,

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-57674441537370654532010-05-16T19:06:00.003+10:002010-05-17T15:21:52.599+10:00

The Australian Railway Workforce and their FamiliesWork skills required to construct and operate Australian railways developed a range of skilled workers who shared similar experiences from one side of the continent to the other. At one point in Australia’s history no industrial task was beyond this workforce who was called on to perform some amazing tasks to keep a nation moving. The industry

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-56338260234962386322010-05-12T14:59:00.002+10:002010-05-12T15:01:43.811+10:00

The Push To The Outback and Its Social ImpactAustralian Railway engineers were challenged from the very beginning by technical problems such as the need to cross wide rivers, and lay railways tracks over mountains and deserts. From the north to the south, railway systems once established operated in ever changing conditions of extreme heat and bitter cold. With the railways edging inland to

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-46131640810090053632010-05-12T13:32:00.002+10:002010-05-12T19:31:59.864+10:00

Early Australian Steam Railways 1854 - 1871The opening of the Sydney to Parramatta Railway Line in N.S.W. took place on the 2nd of October 1855. One highlight of the occasion was a military band in all its glory performing William Paling’s ‘The Sydney Railway Waltz’. This had been specially written for the occasion. Similar events were held throughout Australia whenever a new railway line was

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-5728650140855388102010-05-02T18:28:00.001+10:002010-05-02T18:30:43.076+10:00

National Folk Festival April 2010By Sandra Nixon

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-33098467465531139002010-04-24T15:20:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:37:21.894+10:00

Roger Jowett National Secretary, RTBUSince Railway Voices was produced in 1985, the number of railway jobs in Australia has gone down from 114,000 to 50,000. Cuts to services, line closures, new technology, contracting out and of course privatisation have hit hard. Back then there were just six government owned rail systems in Australia, plus a small private mine railway in Tasmania and the huge

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-30579565521389469952010-04-24T15:18:00.003+10:002010-05-03T13:36:51.304+10:00

Brian DunnettThere's no doubt that you don't have to go very far amongst railway circles to feel the uncertainty that people are feeling about their future.Ken StokoeIf technology goes on its headlong rush, he'd be a very game fella indeed that'd try to predict it. I mean they're talking now about trains without wheels. Now if they get something like that on, they remove all the rotating parts of

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-91979492585265099762010-04-24T15:15:00.002+10:002010-05-03T13:36:19.721+10:00

Stan JonesDuring the period of the thirties the shop committee movement produced its own paper. It used to come out once a month. It was financed by donations from workers on the job. The name of it was Magnet. In addition to the Magnet, use was also made of the journal of the Australian Railways Union, Railroad, and there were political and industrial campaigns waged in its columns as well.Louis

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-81490298828613155592010-04-24T15:12:00.004+10:002010-05-03T13:35:51.734+10:00

Roger IlottRailway songs come from all over Australia. On the Queensland Railway Lines is one example. Performed by Matildas Mob, Carl Evensen and Brian Dunnett vocals. By Brisbane Realist Writers Group (1959). German Folk Tune. Printed in "Qld. Centenary Pocket Songbook".On the Queensland railway lines, There are stations where one dines,Private individualsAlso run refreshment

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-8166283430150736672010-04-24T15:10:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:35:24.615+10:00

Roy Steel painter, Eveleigh Carriage WorksIn the carriages there was beautiful oil paintings and one came in ... a carriage come in and there one had been ... there was one missing, so we decided that seeing that we couldn't replace it we'd make one of our own and they just got all different coloured paints on to a bit of masonite and squeezed another one down on top of it. And of course you got

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-47291826119313321142010-04-24T15:07:00.003+10:002010-05-03T13:34:55.550+10:00

Poem: A Hard Road by Mark Tate (1984)Elcar Workshops, Chullora. Recited by Denis KevansOn trampled grass of frosty greyA chill wind blows where shadows layBeyond the road and yawning gatesThe workshop for its prey awaitsA whistle howls its eerie wailBegrudged and cursed to no availMachines are fed, some spit and chokeWith steel and iron stench and smokeFrom shrieking lathes the metal fliesThe

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-19164079746455858352010-04-24T15:04:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:33:46.599+10:00

Hilton South Stationmaster, RedfernWe get over two hundred letters, even from Melbourne and Brisbane, and a lot of people, you'd see them on the train ... going on the train pointing to the gardens and ... I've been behind people and they've said, "What a nice garden." You know, and not only here ... Homebush too and other places where they've started gardens. People do notice.Eric JonesIn the

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-21824830598481129472010-04-24T15:02:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:33:12.890+10:00

Les Humbles fitter & turner, Cardiff WorkshopsYes, no ... I mainly knocked round with railway boys. Yes, quite a few of them in the little country town. Nearly all their dads worked at the quarry. As a boy we ... my dad had the use of the passes and we moved about a little bit on the country. We'd trips here and there, limited of course, because we never, my dad never earned a lot of money in

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-54942728931304621172010-04-24T15:00:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:32:47.819+10:00

Nick Lewocki ARU organiser, now State Secretary, Rail Tram and Bus UnionHaving a migrant sounding name, I found that during election time, particularly, or not before people knew me, I went to a country location and people said to me, "I'm glad we met you, we didn't think you could speak English, we didn't know who you were and you wouldn't have got our vote". So had my name been Smith or Jones,

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-27156501427502934722010-04-24T14:57:00.003+10:002010-05-03T13:32:12.848+10:00

Margaret McMann Coming Out Show, 1976 ABC RadioHello, I'm Margaret McMann and this is coming out, '76. This week's program looks at the problem of one woman who has tried to secure employment in what is still a male-dominated field. We will be speaking to Janet Oakden, whose ambition, ever since childhood, has been to become a train driver.Janet Oakden first woman traindriverWell, I mean, I like

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-12398137776596874292010-04-24T14:54:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:31:40.551+10:00

Poem: Our Railway Men by W. Cornford, Junior, Perway Department, Goulburn. NSW Railway and Tramway Review. Recited by John DengateTake from our officials who manage all affairsRight down to the plate layerWho spikes the iron chairsAs each and every one are railway servants trueFor as the dawn of day breaks forthThey must their duty do.Take first our sub-inspectors who travel o'er the roadAnd then

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-61946665799553447612010-04-24T14:52:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:31:14.224+10:00

Vincent Winberg electric traindriverWell, ever since I was small, we were up at Grafton, you'd see the trains going over the Grafton bridge there. I always thought to myself, well I'd like to be a driver one day.Lyn Riley-Mundine daughter of a fettlerOut west where I'm from, Dubbo, lots of Aboriginal people live and have worked on the railways, because that's the only area where they could get

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-26359118698261847202010-04-24T14:49:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:30:44.145+10:00

Granville ex Film Australia"There's been a bit of a problem at Granville Station, Lloyd, what's the problem here?""Well, what we know so far is that a rail bridge, a train bridge at Granville has collapsed, they believe that three people have been hurt, the Police Rescue Squad are on the way, that's all we know at the moment." "It's one of those days, huh.""Meantime extensive.... It came straight

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-86876508046598150332010-04-24T14:46:00.002+10:002010-05-03T13:27:09.447+10:00

Song: Train Trip to Guildford written and sung by John Dengate (1975)Waiting waiting for the twenty past four to arriveThe twenty past four doesn't run anymore,The next train's the quarter past five.Brian Dunnett electrical fitter, Loco Workshops, ChulloraUndoubtably the 1970 period which led up to the election of the Wran government was the first real occasion that the public actually got itself

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-29438010050895590382010-04-24T14:43:00.004+10:002010-05-03T13:26:45.702+10:00

Vaughan Gwilliams Eveleigh Loco Running ShedYou were more or less like a brotherhood in that particular area where you were all in the same boat, involved with steam engines and of course they were like a living thing. They breathed and they worked and expanded and contracted with the heat just like human beings do, you know, and when they got angry they blew their top just like human beings and

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-82398656721306935962010-04-24T14:41:00.001+10:002010-05-03T13:26:20.649+10:00

Poem: He Understood Anon (1954) "Eveleigh News" Eveleigh Loco Shop Committee.Recited by Denis KevansA man stood at the pearly gates his face was worn and oldAnd meekly asked the man of fate admission to the foldWhat deed can you account for to gain admission hereWell I worked at Eveleigh Loco until my dying yearThe gate swung open sharp as St. Peter touched the bellCome in here and take a harp

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-57551361639387196492010-04-24T14:39:00.004+10:002010-05-03T12:44:19.456+10:00

Song: The Woy Woy Workers Train by Joe Fernside (1952)Roger Ilott vocals, guitar, banjo. Penny Davies whistle.Have you ever travelled to Sydney on the Woy Woy Workers Train,It rattles along the railway, it rattles through your brain,It fills your clothes with smoke and soot, filthy dirt and grime,You never travel in comfort and you never get there on time.They say we own the railways, there's

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-39141182278028767202010-04-24T14:34:00.002+10:002010-05-03T12:43:49.072+10:00

Jack Sparkes engine driverYou can imagine that on the North Coast with single line working, that with the troops and the vehicles and the guns and the tremendous amount of people moving up and down the North Coast by rail. Well, the busiest day they ever had on the North Coast was fifty four trains, in twenty four hours. Now that's an exceptional number of trains.Poem: The Perth to Adelaide

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-85773340988695724672010-04-24T14:31:00.002+10:002010-05-03T12:43:19.099+10:00

Art CreaseyIn those days there were so many people carrying the swag. Some were riding freight trains, some would be pushing prams, all their belongings on the thing, and some ... bicycle bums would be wheeling bicycles and all that, but I was strictly a bloody train jumper. And of course you'd meet good coppers and bad coppers. Sergeant Small, he would've been the best known copper there was in

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-71256999134950019222010-04-24T14:27:00.002+10:002010-05-03T12:42:49.125+10:00

Stan JonesThere was however a developing renewal of a militant attitude towards many matters associated with the work. And because of the inability of the trade unions to carry out real campaigns at that period, there developed a desire for job organisation. That was in the period, about 1925, and the first organisations to be established, there's considerable rivalry as to which was the very

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-25737966885007686292010-04-24T14:25:00.001+10:002010-05-03T12:42:21.191+10:00

Greg PatmoreThere was also an undercurrent which obviously worried a lot of workers. Now at the outbreak of the war a number of the wages boards in NSW, which determined arbitration awards and increased their wages, put a freeze on wages and conditions. The freezes generally were lifted in early 1915 for the private sector, but the railways, they still held these wage freezes right for about

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-9969436453152438342010-04-24T14:23:00.002+10:002010-05-03T12:41:45.417+10:00

Greg PatmoreThe railway workers themselves at the outbreak of the first World War were very patriotic. There were large numbers who enlisted, there were big sending off ceremonies, there were setting up of Rolls of Honour for those people who had gone off to to war for example. A large number of union branches in country areas made a focus of their social activity, the putting up of a Roll of

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-43424842249180235922010-04-24T14:19:00.003+10:002010-05-03T12:41:19.134+10:00

Greg PatmoreAssociate Professor, School of Work, Organisation and Society, University of SydneyThe first example of trade unions is really the craft unions, the skilled trademen's unions in the workshops. And I'm thinking specifically here of groups like the boilermakers, fitters and turners and those sorts of people. And really, unionism as we understand it, didn't really come about to the other

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-68953099408327781212010-04-24T14:13:00.002+10:002010-05-03T12:40:52.324+10:00

Chris Kempster folksinger and researcher on the life of Henry LawsonThe thing that comes to my mind about Lawson and "Second Class Wait Here", and the roaring days, the times of which he wrote, was that it was time of transition from the massive times of the sailing ships, the great sailing ships that opened up the world ... into the steam age, with the railways in particular, as bringers of news

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-57774424460193272442010-04-24T14:08:00.002+10:002010-05-03T12:40:09.809+10:00

Poem: The Night Operator Anon. Published in the NSW Railway Budget, 1893.Recited by Denis KevansIn his little lamp-lit officeThro' the gloomy hours of night,Sits the midnight operator,From the eve till mornings' light.Watching close with sharpened hearing,What the sleepless sounders say;Talking with his wakeful neighbour, In the station far away.Maurie Mulheron former ARU rep. on Signal Box

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-22186719470954116812010-04-24T10:53:00.032+10:002010-05-23T21:01:13.722+10:00

Railway Voices is a CD with 29 tracks, using parts of the songs and poems from the "Trains of Treasure" exhibition panels to link interviews with rail union activists from the post-war generation. It tells the story of Australian railways from convict days at Port Arthur to the 1999 Glenbrook fatal train crash.Select a track:Convict PowerEarly OpeningsThe NavviesThe Northern LinksThe Night

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-81326109008145790482010-04-24T10:48:00.003+10:002010-05-03T12:39:40.380+10:00

Trains of Treasure by Denis Kevans (1984)recited by Denis Kevans, Mike Atherton InstrumentalsThey are leaving Trains of TreasureWithout measure everydayTrains of corn and coal and oreFor the countries far awayTreasure trains and treasure troves,Leaving for the ports and covesTaking loads of gleaming treasureTo the countries far away.Narration: Denis KevansCoal was the main reason for the

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-14982525979092036902010-04-24T10:36:00.003+10:002010-05-03T12:39:09.979+10:00

Keith Robinson former engine fitter, Chullora, volunteer on the Zig Zag RailwayIn those days it would be very very hard, because most of the work was done by pick and shovel. There were two cuttings that were blasted out of the side of the hill, and this entailed something like 40,000 tons of rock and rubble to be removed.Poem: The Navvies by Ralph Rogan, recited by Denis KevansWe are the navvies

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-7687648546918586122010-04-24T10:26:00.004+10:002010-05-03T12:38:34.684+10:00

Narration: Denis KevansThe Railway Band will now play the Sydney Railway Waltz, composed by William Paling. Arranged by Robert EvansIt was originally performed in the Prince Alfred Theatre at a function celebrating the opening of the Sydney to Parramatta Railway on the 25th September, 1855. Four days later the five hundred construction workers who built the railway were given their own

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-89530676369502002182010-04-04T11:21:00.005+10:002010-05-03T12:37:47.756+10:00

Narration: Denis KevansThe first railway in Australia was built in 1836, by convicts at Port Arthur, Tasmania. Convicts were also used to push the single carriage, which ran on the five mile track, across the Tasman Peninsular. The train ran on wooden rails which were cut from gum trees which grew beside the track. It allowed travellers to avoid the rough voyage across Storm Bay, and around

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The Foundation of a Nation and Australian Railway Culture Despite early opposition to the exploitation of convict labour power from Governor Phillip, the Commander of the First Fleet, this source was used to operate early 19th Century mine railways at Newcastle, New South Wales, as well as rudimentary passenger railway systems like that at Port Arthur in Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania) Convicts

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This online research site related to folklore Australian railway has its origins in a projected created by workers in the Chullora Railway Workshops in NSW in 1984. At the time these workshops along with many other railway workshops and depots that had operated during Australia’s steam railway era for 130 years were about to be closed and the great railway family of tens of thousands of workers

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Arthur Streeton [Detail of 'Fire's on' also known as 'Lapstone Tunnel' 1891] ['The Railway Station, Redfern' 1893] ['Boulonge' 191?] Gordon Coutts ['Waiting' - 1896] Tom Roberts ['Evening train to Hawthorn' - 1889] Weaver Hawkins['Morning underground' 1922] Russell Drysdale [The Station Yard 1943] Jeffrey Smart['Keswick Siding' - 1946]['Waiting for the Train' 1970] ['

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This paper and associated visual overheads on Railway Cultural Heritage was jointly prepared by Brian Dunnett MA (Leisure and Tourism Research) and Mark Gregory MA (Music Studies) for the International Railway Heritage Conference held in Brisbane October 2009. Due to last minute changes the paper was presented by Brian Dunnett. The content of this paper and the decision at the International

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First of all the three Judges (Bernard Carney, Kate Fagan and Mark Gregory) found it most rewarding to take up the challenge of deciding on the winner for this competition. Union competitions for songs, poems and stories have a long history in Australia as shown by the number that have been published for over a century in union journals, magazines and newspapers. Railways in many countries have

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-73256720453134940562010-03-02T19:59:00.002+11:002010-03-24T20:12:34.818+11:00

From Les Cooper, Narrabri, NSW They were boasting of their cutting in the bar at Baradine, When I rattled up the roadway in my tinny old machine. They had sleepers in the doorway, and trees lay in the hall, And another great big beauty was just about to fall. They were blocking in their billets, it was a busy scene, I'll tell you sir, they cut them, in the pub at Baradine, There were

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Rockin', rollin', ridin' Jayne D'Arcy The Age, Travel p.18, 21 February 2010 It's the ultimate travel experience, if, as T. S. Eliot once said, "the journey, not the arrival matters". Hop on a train, get out at all the stations along the way and disembark exactly where you began three hours (and a few drinks) later. Sure, it's a commuter's nightmare, but throw in four blues artists, call it the

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-52811054006117030212010-01-18T16:46:00.003+11:002010-02-11T20:37:31.124+11:00

BY LAUREL-LEE RODERICK: Illawarra Mercury 18 Jan, 2010 Riding the train through the Royal National Park and along the Illawarra coastline has never sounded so good. The journey to Bulli was as much a part of the Illawarra Folk Festival experience as the 11 tents, pavilions and stages at Bulli Showground on the weekend. Thousands flocked to the northern suburbs for the final two days of the

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-52457330127369245492009-11-14T10:43:00.007+11:002009-11-15T23:04:42.895+11:00

An Article by Brian Dunnett Organising committee for the Sutherland  Carriage This year the volunteer committee of the Illawarra Folk Festival had a good look at the festival and its potential role that it plays in music/cultural development as regional event of some 25 year standing. The Illawarra Folk Festival is one of several significant national festival events but unlike its counterparts

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-15104109496837410742009-08-03T16:47:00.008+10:002009-09-29T07:41:52.680+10:00

A Song by Nigel Foote©Nigel Foote 1985 (The Granville Song) The young girl just made the train Didn’t want to be late again Ah but she should’ve been, she should’ve been But the old man on the stairs Slowed down by the years Was left standing on the platform with his cane Passengers from mountain towns Country folk but city bound Gathered at their

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-27695715113924052432009-08-03T16:34:00.004+10:002009-08-09T18:06:01.571+10:00

Words & Music: Pat Drummond©Pat Drummond 1989Well the train rolled to a halt just out of Bredbo,where the old Chakola bridge is undermined.There's no way to make the railhead in Bombala,as we used to in my grandfather's time.For the years of long neglect have left their mark herebut we'll fire up the diesel one more time,while the ghosts of the engineers and the guards of bygone years,travel with

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-34830700321252916902009-06-22T23:43:00.001+10:002010-01-04T17:12:18.269+11:00

Take the Green Alternative and get a FREE Festival CD! The historic Slacky Flat at Bulli will burst into party mode from 14-17th January 2010, when over 500 performers will converge for the 25th award-winning Illawarra Folk Festival.      The festival is nestled at the base of the Illawarra escarpment only 1 hour south of Sydney, so it is the perfect opportunity for Sydney-based travellers to

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-31658739077204079882009-06-02T13:00:00.001+10:002009-06-30T13:02:43.874+10:00

A Poem by Dorothy Hewett ©1962 Dorothy HewettIn Midland still the trains go by,The black smoke thunders on the sky,Still in the grass the lovers lie,And cheek on cheek and sigh on sighThey dream and weep as you and I,In Midland where the trains go by.Across the bridge, across the town,The workers hurry up and down.The pub still stands, the publicanIs still a gross, corrupted man.And bottles

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-9352675862176804302009-05-02T17:52:00.027+10:002010-05-19T08:02:02.465+10:00

GuideAustralian Railway Story On Line through the eyes of Songwriters, Musicians, Poets and the odd Story Teller.ContentsMap: Australian Railways from 1854- Showing railways built and proposed from that time. Many have now disappeared others still remain on the drawing boards for the futureAcknowledgementsIntroductionCHAPTER 1: The Foundation of a Nation and Australian Railway CultureCHAPTER 2:

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-20967603941938822112009-05-01T17:31:00.013+10:002010-05-12T13:36:08.528+10:00

They Laid The Steel RibbonsDuring the first industrial revolution, railway navvies were recognised as the kings of labour. They were skilled in digging foundations for railway track, bridge building and tunnelling, with little more than a pick and shovel. From 1849, when the first steam railway company was formed to build the Sydney Railway system, hundreds of these men and their families from

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-56949144963387201902009-04-30T17:56:00.001+10:002009-05-13T18:05:42.170+10:00

The bright tropical colours of the coastline of Darnley Island, Torres Strait. Island men bid their families and community farewell.Voice-over narration tells of the choice to go to Western Australia to provide for their families. Historical footage of railway lines in the desert. The colours are now sepia and hot, quite a contrast to the bright colours of the Torres Strait.Titles: 'The Pilbara

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-50719656979699986532009-04-29T09:17:00.006+10:002009-05-13T11:37:58.439+10:00

Eastern Torres Strait Islander Railway Songs DVD and CDThe Torres Strait Islander Railway Songs Project has been an important initiative in the continuing process of educating and maintaining the language of the Eastern Torres Strait Islands (Meriam Mir). We appreciate the endorsement from the Queensland Torres Strait Islander Language Consultative Committee for funding under the Aboriginal &

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A Song by Margaret Bradford (Margaret writes "I DID travel on trains a lot as a kid. These stories are from real life experiences") As kids we travelled everywhere by bus and tram and train Waiting at the station there in sun & wind & rain. It seemed we'd never, ever, ever reach our destination Incessantly I'd pester mum,"Is this next one our station?" 'Cause our family never owned a car,

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-85627792433505988722009-03-14T10:34:00.001+11:002009-03-14T10:36:44.160+11:00

A Song by Margaret BradfordIntro.."Stand Clear! Doors Closing! Next stop Parramatta!(to the rhythm of the train)I got trains on the brain...Trains on the brainThey're gonna drive me insane. I got trains on the brain. CHORUSI wanna go for a ride on the train. I wanna go for a ride on the train.Roll along the railway track to the countryside and back I want to.....Oh We're going for a ride on

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-79553608031311380392009-02-27T13:17:00.000+11:002009-07-27T13:20:49.985+10:00

A song by John Laird Maryborough Qld June 03A song of work well done.This is a great work. It is a triumphOver long distances with deserts and wet landsAn unforgiving country, near desolateBut now subdued, its future in our handsFor many long years it was a dreamA promise made by the CommonwealthRails to Alice Springs were laid, and then againBut the track from Darwin was firmly closedA

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About this Research Site Railway History Remains of the Old Ghan (Photos November 2010)Hawker and Quorn (Photos 2010)Railway workers: Eight Hour Day (1882) Reviews and Articles The Blue Mountains Railway Music Trip July 2010 (Brian Dunnett October 2010) RTBU Song and Poem Competition 2009 (RTBU Press Release 2009) Railway Culture: A Source of Railway Heritage Theatre (Brian Dunnett and Mark

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-65684203588552742152009-02-03T11:43:00.011+11:002009-05-13T10:20:39.448+10:00

Can a language truly survive unless it can adequately convey its immediate world and the feeling of those living in its context? Can it travel without its full swag of voices? For people on the move, it’s the jokes, poems and songs that evoke all that the language can carry and keep it resonant anywhere. Its constant, vital use maintains the community that moved with it.When Father Elemo Tapim

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The following poem appeared in the March 1927 issue of Railroad. It was written by Jo Evans and published "By request".I must shortly leave the banker,For my card is long exempt.The fire of youth has vanished from my eye,And the saddest thought to-dayIs when I have passed awayThat my tool box will be raffled by and by.Chorus:I have roamed around the country,But am getting stiff and old;And now I

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-39064859184447077962009-01-30T13:27:00.003+11:002009-01-30T13:45:14.245+11:00

Words by: Alan Scott ©Gay ScottTune: The Freight Train YodelWell, I'm standing on Campbelltown StationWaitin' for the Moss Vale TrainWhen a bloke comes out with a microphoneTo say it's been cancelled again.Well, he says it's not his problemThat we can’t get our ride,The train pulled in to MintoAnd committed suicide.Well, he says he's ordered busesTo take us on our way,And he thinks

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A Song by John Hospodaryk©John Hospodaryk 2009 [Winner of the 2009 RTBU Railway Song Competition] Two thousand trucks across the Great Divide, Two thousand truckloads of fuel that will ride Upon the road when there's a train that can bring it safely to your town, Safely to, safely to your town. So all I ask of you is don't you, don't you close that depot down, Don't you close, don't you close

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Words by Patrick O'Leary Music by Carmel Charlton [The Ghan is a living legend. It opened in 1929 linking Adelaide and Alice Springs. It was named after the Afghan Camel drivers. The new Ghan now travels on to Darwin.]A thousand miles to nowhere on a train that leads to hellHer boilers belching fire and the ringing of her bellHer wheels are moving slowly on the iron

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-71657060219501712712009-01-06T09:27:00.000+11:002009-10-23T09:30:37.908+11:00

Dear Brian, Your mail reminded me that I read your brochure (also passed some on) and intended to give you some memories of my Dad, Vic Oehm and his experiences of living in Clarence and Lithgow areas at the time the Zig-zag was running and shortly after. He wrote a fairly detailed story of his life and these are the facts relating to that period as he wrote it. It must have been a tough life,

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-73454243217062730792009-01-02T14:20:00.045+11:002009-10-01T07:19:43.562+10:00

$1000 song prize has everyone doing the Locomotion [CLOSED] Whether you’re doing the locomotion or on a train bound for nowhere, there have been plenty of lyrics written about the iconic railways. To continue the tradition, the Rail Tram and Bus Union award for poets and songwriters is running again, encouraging artists to capture the contemporary vibe of life on the Australian railways.

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| Contents page | A Guide to the Australian Railway Story and Collecting of Railway Culture Brian Dunnett The information that can be found in various sections of this blog and on the Australian Railway Story website as told by musicians, poets, songwriters and the odd story teller began with a project established at the Chullora Railway Workshops in 1984 by 3,000 railway workers as the Railway

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-91107560707767532072008-12-08T22:00:00.001+11:002008-12-08T22:08:25.359+11:00

Train Music is a piece of music for orchestra written by the Australian composer Percy Grainger.This fragment of music written in 1901 by an 18 year old Grainger was originally designed for a massive orchestra.Inspired by a 1900 train journey through the mountains of Italy, Grainger envisioned it for a huge orchestra of 150 players, including 8 oboes and 6 bassoons. The composer got only as far

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-31027372685282076942008-11-22T17:05:00.007+11:002008-12-01T20:49:55.060+11:00

Afghan camel drivers were responsible for supplying the material needed to build desert sections of the Trans-Continental Railway and the Ghan Railway.Hundreds of camels were used in camel trains during the constructions of these railways.(The tune was /collected and written down by Ron Edwards who published it his Big Book of Australian Folk Songs. It was first recorded by Matilda's Mob in

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-48408952011485011282008-11-20T12:15:00.005+11:002009-06-18T13:39:50.339+10:00

A song by unknown authorTune by Brad Tate©Brad Tate 1974 I went broke in western Queensland in Nineteen Thirty OneNobody would employ me so my swag carrying begunI came down into Charleville through all the western townsI was on my way to Roma destination Darling DownsMy pants were getting ragged my boots were getting thinBut when I stopped at Mitchell a

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Australian Railway Songshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594997761390242493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-39575516819596467362008-11-19T16:25:00.005+11:002008-11-19T16:34:41.837+11:00

Over the years, life In former times has been committed to poetry on so many occasions that it Is difficult to trace the whole bf this Anthology. The following item is not perhaps poetry, but It dates back to that period of time In the earlier part of this century, when quite a lot of literature was penned on the history of Enginemen and Railway men. The author is shown as 'E.N: 'AUSSIE, 15.1.30'

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Many performers of railway songs poems and music turn to overseas railways Folk Heroes like 'Casey Jones' to create a recognised image that associates them with railways. For those looking for a bona fide Australian impression you might consider the 'Railway Paper Hat' An old steam and diesel railway fitter described the background to this hat worn by a range of Australian railway workers over

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Australian Railway Anecdotes Unnatural History Australian Railway Stories The Railway Paper Hat Vivienne Sawyer: memories of my dad Dear Brian, Your mail reminded me that I read your brochure (also passed some on) and intended to give you some memories of my Dad, Vic Oehm and his experiences of living in Clarence and Lithgow areas at the time the Zig-zag was running and shortly after....

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Australian Railway Songs and Poems: [79]see also Eastern Torres Strait Islander Songs a) 83 Ordinary People 150 Hiney-Monoosh The 5603 or Death Where is Thy Sting The Afghan's Song The Battler's Ballad Billy Sheehan Cane Train Don't Close The Depot Down The Dying Fettler The Dying Railway Commissioner The Dying Sleeper Cutter The End of the Line Flying Gang The Ghan The Ghan Goolwatown Ride The

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-32404534966955868542008-11-17T13:08:00.001+11:002008-11-19T17:24:48.445+11:00

I'm nipper I’m a ripperI'm a Navvy on the lineI get four and twenty bob a week besides my overtimeAll the ladies love the navviesAnd the ladies love the funThere’ll be plenty little babies when the railways done.Some like the girls who are slender in the waistOther like the girls who are pretty in the faceBut give me the girl who will take it in her fistAnd shove it right home in the cuckoo’s

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-67917628224807057202008-11-17T13:04:00.001+11:002008-11-19T17:24:33.331+11:00

Despite the fact that the steam railway age was well underway in Britain by early 1820’s the South Australian Government decided to build a horse drawn railway at the mouth of the Murray River in 1850Children from the Port Elliot Public School recalled the event 150 years later in 2005.We celebrate Australia's First Public Railway,Back in 1854 150 years todayChorusRockin' Rollin', Ridin' from

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-81472859171942647092008-11-17T12:56:00.002+11:002008-11-20T12:14:04.419+11:00

Well the railway's fin'lly comin' through,There'll be no more inns on the road,Yes the railway's fin'lly comin' throughThe bullocky will lose his whole loadLocomotive Number 3203It's a-rollin' down the track,It'll take you into town, to the mountains and the sea,It'll take you all the way, it'll get you back.Rooty Hill, Mount Druitt, Blacktown and Penrith too,They've all grown up with the rail,

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-22937116237483880002008-11-17T12:53:00.008+11:002009-06-18T13:45:48.187+10:00

A Song by Doug Fudge©2003 Doug Fudge It’s been one hundred years in the dreamingFrom the first time it was plannedFrom Adelaide Concrete canyonsAcross the Central Desert’s sandsThrough the tropical Top EndThe Railway tracks run freeFrom the Great Australian BightTo the Arafura Sea.Chorus:G’day Australia how are you travellingI’m travelling along on silver

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-17298158529000267122008-11-17T12:48:00.002+11:002008-11-19T17:23:29.961+11:00

I've got a ticket if you've got the timeTake a little trip on the narrow gauge lineTime's a runnin' out, better do it while you canCome along with me and take a trip on the GhanWe're leaving Port Augusta for the sunshineWe're heading north to see what we can findIt's just a dream to leave it all behind meIt's something that's been always on my mindLizard in the sun, emu on the plainIn the

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2588435026083419598.post-25640250323348882092008-11-17T12:46:00.001+11:002008-11-19T17:23:13.601+11:00

The early morning train from Mt. Victoria,Heading for the city and the grimeBut no-one was to know that the trainThat ran so slow was riding on the TracksFor the last time.Answers come to late.At 8.00 am the train neared Granville StationAnd it never made the townFor the Bold Street bridge crashed downWho’s guilty when a worn out system fails?The papers greedily took up the storyFor any news is

swaggiesnoreply@blogger.com0