Railway Preserve

 Railway Preserve

Half a century now past

Since branch line travelled last

When Beeching’s axe fell.

Torn down in reckless haste

Railway lives gone to waste
Only memories left to tell.

Old stations that remain

Will never see a train

No up slow, or down fast.

Now homes for car repair

Or diners unaware

Of glory times past.

Betjeman foretold its doom
So is there any room

To save the cherished line?

Thank God for volunteers

Who, in intervening years,

Fought hard to turn back time.

The rusted engine's won
Now shining in the sun
Restored by hearts of gold.

The branch line lives again
And passengers ride the train
Living history to behold.

©  Glyn Smith 2014 (rev 2017)