Part 7
YOU farmers, who lately Have suffered so greatly From agricultural depression, Shake off gloom and sorrow, A brighter to-morrow Will dawn in the course of the Session.
By no relaxation Of rates or taxation, By a certain sure-never-to-fail way, Through Government’s pleasure To bring in a measure For giving some districts a railway: A tight little, light little railway, A nice little, light little railway, O think of the joy Of that exquisite toy, A tight little, light little railway.
Your wheat may grow cheaper, The pay of your reaper May rise to a figure outrageous; The weather may lay all Your crops, and your hay all Be ruined by tempests rampageous; Your stock mayn’t grow fatter, But that does not matter, Except in a bargain and sale way: What are these to the blessing Of really possessing A tight little, light little railway?
(_Chorus_.)
You may not have a fraction Of produce for traction, Not a stone’s weight to put in a wagon, Not a horse in your stable, No bread on your table, Not a shoe to your foot, not a rag on: All this would be frightful Were it not so delightful To see in as-slow-as-a-snail way The trucks all go gliding From track into siding, From siding to track on your railway.
(_Chorus_.)
Then, oh _fortunati_ _Agricolœ_, wait, aye Wait, for the clouds to roll by you: Your troubles are over; To-morrow, in clover, You’ll laugh at the ills that now try you. “_Ex machinâ Deus_ Is coming to free us, Not in an old-fashioned or stale way.” Let this be your chorus— “A future’s before us; Three cheers for the light little railway!”
(_Chorus_.)
PLATES.
Tennis Ground station, Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Tennis Ground station, Duffield Bank Railway]
Tennis Ground station, Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Tennis Ground station, Duffield Bank Railway]
Viaduct, Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Viaduct, Duffield Bank Railway]
Curve, 25 feet radius, Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Curve, 25 feet radius, Duffield Bank Railway]
Engine No 2 and Goods Train, Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Engine No 2 and Goods Train, Duffield Bank Railway]
Engine No 1 and Passenger Train, Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Engine No 1 and Passenger Train, Duffield Bank Railway]
Balderton Junction—Engine and Waggon Sheds, Eaton Railway.
[Picture: Balderton Junction—Engine and Waggon Sheds, Eaton Railway]
Engine No 4 and Train, Eaton Railway.
[Picture: Engine No 4 and Train, Eaton Railway]
Eaton Terminus—Coal Store and Carriage Shed, Eaton Railway.
[Picture: Eaton Terminus—Coal Store and Carriage Shed, Eaton Railway]
Estate Works Sidings, Eaton Railway.
[Picture: Estate Works Sidings, Eaton Railway]
Belgrave Engine Shed, Eaton Railway.
[Picture: Belgrave Engine Shed, Eaton Railway]
Engine No 1, Duffield Bank Railway, 1874.
[Picture: Engine No 1, Duffield Bank Railway, 1874]
Engine No 2, Duffield Bank Railway, 1881.
[Picture: Engine No 2, Duffield Bank Railway, 1881]
Engine No 3, Duffield Bank Railway, 1894.
[Picture: Engine No 3, Duffield Bank Railway, 1894]
Engine No 4, Eaton Railway, 1896.
[Picture: Engine No 4, Eaton Railway, 1896]
Dining Car (to seat eight), Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Dining Car (to seat eight), Duffield Bank Railway]
Parcel Van, Duffield Bank Railway.
[Picture: Parcel Van, Duffield Bank Railway]
Arrangement drawing of Dining Carriage to seat eight.
[Picture: Arrangement drawing of Dining Carriage to seat eight]
Arrangement drawing of Sleeping Carriage with four berths.
[Picture: Arrangement drawing of Sleeping Carriage with four berths]
Side elevation of Passenger Carriage to seat sixteen.
[Picture: Side elevation of Passenger Carriage to seat sixteen]
Arrangement of Radiating Wheels on six-coupled engine No. 2.
[Picture: Arrangement of Radiating Wheels on six-coupled engine No. 2]
Plan and Section of Eaton Railway
[Picture: Plan and Section of Eaton Railway]
Cross Sections of Eaton Railway
[Picture: Cross Sections of Eaton Railway]
FOOTNOTES
{46} The then approaching Board of Trade Light Railway Conference.
{48} The Duffield Bank Railway is here referred to.