THE TRAINS OF MARIN COUNTY
Lyrics
Page Lyrics for Song Album:
THE TRAINS OF MARIN COUNTY
1. Gravity Man 2. Jack London's Headin' For San Francisco
3. Mrs. Duncan's
Tea Kettle 4.
Mill Valley Train 5.
Austin Creek Tragedy
6. In Ole Marin County
7. White's Hill
Landslide 8.
The Monte Rio Fire 9. When the Quake Hit No. 14
10. Pt. Reyes
Disaster
11. San Geronimo Train
12. Steel Rails
in the Sunshine 13.
Southbound Train 14.
Tocaloma Train For Cazadero
15. Lagunitas Canyon Train
16. Fairfax Picnic Train
17. Last Train
From Marin
GRAVITY MAN (Bill Provines)
He was 91 years when I met him
A railroad man years ago
He worked for the Mt. Tam Railway
And the story that he told you should know
He said I was a fireman and brakeman
To the top of old Mt Tam I would ride
But the most fun I had was with Tourists
Going up coming down day and night
(Chorus 1)
Gravity Man - Gravity Man
With thirty in the car it was grand
At 12 miles an hour
With two-hundred-eighty-one curves
The longest Roller-coaster ride in the land
And we yelled lean forward for the Gravity Man!
Said my name is Bill Provines
And as I taped him that day
Said No. 16 thinking back
With a click-click every two seconds you went
You could tell the speed on the track
There were 4 switch backs - and the double-bowknot
33 minutes of fun
Dollar ninety a round trip from San Francisco
And a memory that’s priceless to own
(Chorus 2)
On the Gravity Car we sang a ditty that day
“California Here I Come”
8 and one-quarter miles to Lee Street below
Trees flickering rays of the sun
We spray water on the tracks up ahead
To cool friction right off of the rails
I sat on the right with the 2 levered handbrakes
As down to Mill Valley we sailed (Chorus
3)
People wait at the Mt. Tam Tavern each day
For the very best ride Spring or Fall
The crookedest Railroad in the whole durn wide world
In Ted Wurm’s book he tells it all
There was the big mountain fire
On the second of July
Old Jake Johnson saw some smokey haze
With his crew and 65 people there (IChorus #4)
They backed down to Mill Valley with
haste
Through clouds of smoke made it in time
But Jake knew this was the railroads end
The year was nine=teen-twenty-nine
The end of Mt Tam-MuirWoods Railway
The end of the Gravity train
Some memories may fade of the railroad
But Bill remembers being Gravity Man! (Chorus 5)
Gravity Man - Gravity Man
With thirty in the car it was grand
At 12 miles an hour
With two-hundred-eighty-one curves
The longest Roller-coaster ride in the land
And we yelled lean forward for the Gravity Man!
lean forward for the Gravity Man!
lean forward for the Gravity Man!
lean forward for the Gravity Man! (Instrmental end tag)
Lyrics
Page
© Bernie Griff * Feb. 8, 2008 (Revised) * Redding, CA
Jack London’s Heading for San Francisco!
A
D
A
Chorus: Jack London’s
headin’ / for San Francisco
B7
E7
Train is Steaming into Sausalito Station
D
With Charmian his wife
A
F#m
Train took them to the fire..........................
G#7 C#m
E7 F#m A
Of that awful episode - -------------Northwestern Railroad..........
It was 5:15 A.M. on April eigh-teen way back when
Charmian was jolted out of bed
She ran downstairs to Jack
They grabbed their clothes and saddled fast
Then Headed for Sonoma Mountain crest
Smoke clouds billowed in the skies - they could not believe their eyes
“My God it’s San Francisco up in flames!”
Galloped off with Ben and Belle - left Glen Ellen with a yell
Headin’ for Marin on a southbound
train (Chorus:) (Chorus Instr:)
Taking notes on a Southbound Train -
Sky was was filled with smoke and flames
Jack began to write the story down
They came into San Rafael seemed the Quake had rung the knell
With A Sausalito Boatman they were bound
Boatman took them into danger of the San Fancisco Streets
But Charmian and Jack knew that they must go
They walked for-ty miles that day through the San Francisco Quake
Jack cried: “The city’s gone - gone up in
smoke! (Chorus:)
At Wake Robin Jack’s pen flew - to write the story
their eyes knew
For Collier’s Magazine was payin’ him
At 10 cents a word - he wrote stories that they
heard
Even when the train was cryin’ through Marin
They checked Santa Rosa too - the Quake had many interludes
It’s said the Richter Scale was eight point three
Desolation cup was filled but they started to rebuild
Trains were bringing in supplies and help for free. (Chorus:
+ Tag)
In her Diary Charmian wrote - napped on doorstep was the quote
Up at five AM - we went & walked
the streets
At Union Square a man was selling - a fortune for a horse
“Just thirty seconds took this city to her feet!”
Chorus:
Jack London’s headin’ / for Glenn Ellen
The Train is Steaming outa Sausalito Station
With Charmian his wife - train took them from the
fire..........
And that awful episode - ----- Northwestern Railroad!....(xs 3)
© Bernie Griff ** January 29 (Revised), 2008 ** Redding,
California
MRS. DUNCAN’S TEA KETTLE - Bernie Griff (1/16/98)
CHORUS:
LISTEN TO THE WHISTLE, THE STEAMIN’ AN THE ROAR
HERE COMES MRS. DUNCAN’S TEA KETTLE DOWN
THE FIVE-MILE RAILROAD SPUR
LOADED WITH LOGS AND LUGGIN’ SMOOTH
SHE’S SHINING IN THS SUN
HEADIN’ FOR THE NORTH COAST RAILWAY
ON A RUSSIAN RIVER RUN.
THERE’S ABOUT FIVE MILES OF TRACK THERE HEADIN’ OUT
FROM DUNCAN’S MILLS
AND IT’S ABOUT FIVE MILES IN AN HOUR TO WHERE THE RUSSIAN
RIVER SPILLS
HAVE A TOAST AT JULIAN’S HOTEL - TIL WE HEAR THE
TRAIN’S WHISTLE CRY
COMIN’ FROM CAZADERO AN’ SAHE’LL BE HERE
BY AND BY.
CHORUS:
THE HOBO’S WALKIN’ DOWN THE COAST AND
FOLLOWIN’ THE RAILS
TELLIN’ OF TIMES AND HITCHIN’ RIDES BUT THE
STRANGEST OF THEIR TALES
IS A STORY OF A “TEA KETTLE” FELL IN LOVE WITH A
NARROW GAUGE TRAIN
THEY GIGGLE AND SLURP FROM SOUP CANS SMOKIN’ STOGIES IN THE
RAIN
CHORUS:
WELL ABOUT FIVE MILES TO THE TIMBER STAND ALONG OF AUSTIN CREEK
IS A FUNNY-LOOKIN’ LOCOMOTIVE SNORTIN-STRAIN’ WITH
A SQUEAK
LOOKS LIKE AN OLD TEA KETTLE STEAMIN’ UP A CUP A’
TEA
THEY CALL IT MISSUS DUNCAN’S TEA KETTLE TOTIN’
REDWOOD THRU THE WEEK
CHORUS:
WE LEFT CAZADERO ABOUT TWO FORTY-FOUR,
SEVEN MILES AND A HALF AWAY WE TOOTED NEAR THE SHORE
WE SWUNG INTO THE TRUSS BRIDGE RUSSIAN RIVER DOWN BELOW
THE “TEA KETTLE” WAITIN’ AT THE SPUR JUST
LISTEN TO HER WHISTLE BLOW
CHORUS:
SO HERE’S TO LOCOMOTIVES SOME LONG AND SOME ARE TALL
SOME ARE SHORT AND SOME ARE WIDE AND SOME NOT BAD AT ALL
BUT THERE’S ONE THAT’S HARD TO PIN DOWN TO DESCRIBE
ITS FRAME AND FRILLS
IT’S OLD MIS DUNCAN’S TEA KETTLE THAT MOANS AT
DUNCAN’S MILLS
:
CHORUS:
LISTEN TO THE WHISTLE, THE STEAMIN’ AN THE ROAR
HERE COMES MRS. DUNCAN’S TEA KETTLE DOWN
THE FIVE-MILE RAILROAD SPUR
LOADED WITH LOGS AND LUGGIN’ SMOOTH
SHE’S SHINING IN THS SUN
HEADIN’ FOR THE NORTH COAST RAILWAY
ON A RUSSIAN RIVER RUN.
© Bernie Griff * Jan. 16, 1998 * San Geronimo, CA
MILL VALLEY TRAIN - 3/25/98
THE NORTH PACIFIC RAILROAD TRAIN IS COMIN’ DOWN THE LINE
THE NARROW GAUGE STEEL RAILS ARE SHINING
THE SMOKESTACK IS PUFFIN’ TO THE MILL VALLEY STATION
YOU CAN HEAR THE OLE’ TRAIN WHISTLE WHINING
SHE’S RUMBLING THROUGH BAY JUNCTION
TO THE MANZANITA STATION
THEN ON TO THE BRANCH LINE SHE’S GOIN’
THE SWITCHER SLIDES THE TRACK - MAIN LINE TO MILL VALLEY
THEN TO EASTLAND STATION SHE IS A-SLOWIN’
CHORUS:
MILL VALLEY TRAIN - MILL VALLEY TRAIN
YOU CAN HEAR THAT OLD LOCOMOTIVE RUNNIN’
MILL VALLEY TRAIN - MILL VALLEY TRAIN
STEAMIN’ ‘CROSS THE MARSHLAND WHEELS
A-DRUMMIN’
MILL VALLEY TRAIN - MILL VALLEY TRAIN
THE EASTLAND HOTEL WAGON IS A-WAITIN
MILL VALLEY TRAIN - MILL VALLEY TRAIN
IF YOU LISTEN YOU CAN HEAR THE RAILS A-HUMMIN’
IT’S OCTOBER THIRTEEN IN EIGHTEEN-EIGHTY-NINE
IN DOWNTOWN MILL VALLEY SHE’S WAITIN’
CHARLES STOCKER - THE ENGINEER
JACK BRADY - THE CONDUCTOR
CRIES: “ALL ABOARD FOR PT. REYES STATION!”
I.D. CROSS THE BRAKEMAN - SAID: “CHARLEY, LET ER
RIP!”
HE PULLED THE WHISTLE AND THE TRAIN STARTED MOANIN’
WESCOTT, THE FIREMAN SHOVELED IN THE COAL
THEN OUT OF TOWN THE LOCOMOTIVE DRONIN’
CHORUS:
“ALL ABOARD FOR SAN FRANCISCO!” JACK BRADY YELLED
THEN TWO SHRILL BLASTS FROM HER WHISTLE
ENGINE NUMBER TWO PULLED OUT OF TOWN
SOUNDING LIKE A SHOT FROM A PISTOL!
STANDING AT THE STATION WAITIN’ FOR THE FERRY
SAUSALITO TRAIN HAS GONE AND IT’S RAININ’
THE THEATER TRAIN WILL PICK US UP LATE IN THE
EVENIN’
THEN BACK FOR MI
© Bernie Griff * Feb. 5, 2008 (Revised) * Redding, CA
The Austin Creek Tragedy -
Come up boys and listen - Come listen to my tale
A song of a tragedy on the narrow guage rail
It was in Cazadero in eighteen-ninety-four
On the fourteenth of January - rain came down with a roar!
A flood was raging down the river-Number nine was starting out
There were eight bound for a jamboree at Duncan Mills no doubt
The train left at eight P.M. then the engineer did say
We must inspect the Austin Bridge for there’s danger in the
way!
Chorus: Briggs back up that train - Briggs back up that train
Why did I Listen to Brown that day - there were 7 had to pay
Briggs back up that train - Briggs back up that train
Brown won’t drink another round at Duncan Mills again
Brown got out to check the bridge - a lantern in his hand
He thought the bridge was safe and sound - as he waved at the
other end
The locomotive was half across when the middle pier went down
In a swirling stream went train and beam with a terrible crashing sound!
Seven men went with her - Brown running down the line
He ran all night to Duncan Mills yellin’ hurry
there’s not much time!
The Telegraph was clicking out the news of Austin Creek
But later seven bodies found though it took just past a week
Chorus:
The Jury said accidental though the townsfolk people knew
Briggs had said to Brown it wasn’t wise for the train to go
on through
So Brown in Cazedaro was a figure most forlorn
For the town held him responsible for ther seven lives now gone
Well, they dragged out engine number nine but it took until the Spring
And the thoughts about the seven men came pourin’ out again
Yes, we’ll recall the tragedy at Austin Creek and then
We’ll thank God days of the trestles and floods will never
come again!
Chorus: Briggs back up that train - Briggs back up that train
Why did I listen to Brown that day - there were 7 had to pay
Briggs back up that train - Briggs back up that train
Brown won’t drink another round at Duncan Mills again
© Bernie Griff * Dec. 9, 1997 *
San Geronimo, CA *
In Ole Marin County (When the Trains Rolled On By)
There's tracks in the county - where the weeds are overgrown
They tell a grand story - O'er the fields where they're blown
They tell a grand story - of past days with a sigh
In ole Marin Count - when the trains rolled on by
When the trains rolled on by
When the trestles were standin' - they would sway in the breeze
They would creek in the nightwind - by the old redwood trees
They would creek in the nightwind - hear the train whistle cry
In ole Marin Count - when the trains rolled on by
When the trains rolled on by
Charley Austin remembers - when he boarded at five
All aboard roared Jack Brady - engine 2 came alive
All aboard roard Jack Brady - passin' Mt. Tam up high
In ole Marin Count - when the trains rolled on by
When the trains rolled on by
Bill Provines could tell you - what the brakeman would do
Comin' down Tamalpais - 'round a switchback or two
Comin' down Tamalpais - down the gravity slide
In ole Marin Count - when the trains rolled on by
When the trains rolled on by
Though the whistles have faded - And the rails mostly gone
And the trestles have crumbled - and the crossties are worn
You can still hear the engines - you can still hear the engines
Through the County some nights -
Yes - In ole Marin Count - when the trains rolled on by
When the trains rolled on by (Repeat ending)
© Bernie Griff * San Geronimo, CA
* Feb. 4, 1998 *
WHITE’S HILL LANDSLIDE - Bernie Griff
(1/10/98)
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MONDAY EVENING TRAIN?
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MONDAY EVENING TRAIN?
THERE WAS MUDSLIDES ALL OVER AND MUD POUNDIN’ CLOVER
AND NOTHIN’ BUT RAIN, RAIN, RAIN - AND NOTHIN’ BUT
RAIN, RAIN, RAIN!
It was the Spring of 1894
When storm after storm brought quite a pour
Roads washed out in every town
There was Trestles tumbling down
And there weren’t many wsest outside their door-door-door!
Weren’t many west outside their door!
CHORUS:
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MONDAY EVENING TRAIN?
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MONDAY EVENING TRAIN?
THERE WAS MUDSLIDES ALL OVER AND MUD POUNDIN’ CLOVER
AND NOTHIN’ BUT RAIN, RAIN, RAIN -
THERE WAS NOTHIN’ BUT RAIN, RAIN, RAIN!
On February nineteen puffin’ through
She was pushin’ an’ she was way overdue
When a mudslide hit the track an’ there was no
turnin’ back
And I heard the brakeman say: “What will we do-do-do?
And I heard the brakeman say: “What will we
do?” (Chorus:)
So a landslide rumbled down - on old White’s Hill
an’ we heard a crashing sound that sent a chill
So they rushed us to some farmhouse
and we stayed there for the night
Oh, that landslide pushed the tracks clear out of sight-sight-sight!
Oh, that landslide pushed the tracks clear out of sight! (Chorus:)
CHORUS:
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MONDAY EVENING TRAIN?
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MONDAY EVENING TRAIN?
THERE WAS MUDSLIDES ALL OVER AND MUD POUNDIN’ CLOVER
AND NOTHIN’ BUT RAIN, RAIN, RAIN -
THERE WAS NOTHIN’ BUT RAIN, RAIN, RAIN! (Repeat
last line)
© Bernie Griff * San Geronimo, CA
* Jan. 10, 1998
THE MONTE RIO FIRE
A train going North through the County of Marin one evening
It was nineteen O’ three - the first day of July
Left Sausalito just about nine thirty
They were told there was a fire in the sky
When they left Sausalito late that evening -
The telegraph tapped the message loud and clear
Engine Seven and Engine Four pulled out like cra-zy
Click-clacking down the track and filled with fear!
Chorus: THE RESCUE TEAM NEVER MADE IT TO
MONTE RIO
THEY
NEVER MADE IT TO THE COUNTY LINE
THIS
DOUBLE-HEADER CRASHED AT THE ESTUARY
‘CAUSE A COW ON THE TRACKS
NEVER HEARD THE WHISTLE WHINE!
So a Double-header passing through Tomales
At Keyes Estuary - A tradgedy was to be
They were on their way to Monte Ri-o
But this night they would soon meet their destiny
Chug-a-lug-chugging ‘cross the bridge there
but the brakeman shouting saw the cow too late
Two engines and six passenger cars flipped o-o-ver
And the engineer didn’t make it either
way! (Chorus:)
Nunber 4 engine hit - smashed to the ground there
Number 7 rolled crashing-sliding down
The engineer died - the Brakeman - he was lucky
They rushed doctors out on hand cars to help out
And if you drive out someday to that spot there
There’s an iron pier - a bridge that used to be
Just imagine No. 4 puffing past there
That left Sausalito in nine-teen o-three (Chorus:)
© Bernie Griff * Feb. 7, 2008 (Revised/rewritten) * Redding, CA
When the Quake Shook No. 14 At Point Reyes
The time it was ‘bout four AM - when the earth shook every
floor
Nine-teen-0-six in April - the Eighteenth day it roared
The ripple of the seismic blast - was headin’ for Pt. Reyes
And the wave of rails and crossties - was a sight to make you
pray!
Engine number fourteen was sittin’ on the rails
Until the San Andreas Fault knocked the wind out of her sails
The rails were bent and twisted - there were trestles pushed aside
The North Shore Railroad damaged when it shook the countryside!
CHORUS:
WERE YOU THERE AT THE SAN FRANCISCO QUAKE?
DID YOU HEAR THE AWFUL ROARING
DID YOU FEEL THE AWFUL SHAKE?
IT WAS ENOUGH TO STOP MOST EVERYTHING YOU NAME
BUT IT DIDN’T STOP THE NORTH SHORE RAILROAD TRAIN !
At Paper Mill Creek the trestle gone and Tomales sent word down
The rails were stretched to left and right at the Northern part of town
Number fourteen on her side with several cars in back
As if some giant sneezed and coughed and just blew on her stack!
Knocked clear off the rails she was - that morning people came
On the East side of the rail she laid poor ole 14 gripped in
pain
But they got her back on top the tracks repaired and truly sound
Ole fourteen chugged - her engine lugged and headed out of town
Chorus:
The steel all bent was soon replaced - the trestles built anew
The North Shore Railroad trains pulled out and their nightly whistles
blew
But the trains helped save the moment of Devastation Bay
Rebuilding town and city to a brighter kind of day
Lumber loaded from the mills as trains puffed day and night
Building homes and businesses that the Quake knocked out of sight!
Yes, the North Shore railroad took a jolt that April
nineteen-six
There was a city of tents that took no rents - and a train
that never called it quits
Chorus:
© Bernie Griff * March 5,
1998 * San Geronimo, CA
Pt. Reyes Disaster - (June, 1903)
There was a great disaster
In June of 19-three
28 were ridin’ - only 1 mile from Pt. Reyes
At a sharp and curving trestle
At the creek of Paper Mill
The Coach and Tender cracked
Ten feet below the track
Chorus:
Tomales Train - Don’t go so fast
S-curve ahead - will be your last
Tomales Train - death rides the track
There’s two left town - ain’t comin’ back
Two died and many injured
So they telegraphed every town
“Doctors-nurses come real quick
There’s a train here upsidedown!”
Pt. Reyes Ambulance Train
I hear you whistle once again (Chorus:)
They were bound for San Francisco
From a funeral of a friend
35 miles from Tomales
When they came to that awful bend
20 miles an hour at the “S” curve don’t
make sense
They say the engineer lied
But there was two people died.
Chorus:
Tomales Train - Don’t go so fast
S-curve ahead - will be your last
Tomales Train - death rides the track
There’s two left town - ain’t comin’ back
© Bernie Griff * April 20, 1998
* San Geronimo, CA
SAN GERONIMO TRAIN by Bernie Griff
Chorus:
San Geronimo Train - San Geronimo Train
The North Pacific Coast Railroad
She’s rollin’ down again
San Geronimo Train - San Geronimo Train
Your smokestack coughs an’ spills
Hauling logs from Duncan’s Mill
Chugging through the valley - Twisting, steaming by
Whistling haunting whistles - Hands all waving - Hi!
Three foot rails all creaking - Over trestles in the sky
Tunnelin’ thru White’s Hill
Whistle blast an’ then all still
First stop Alderney Station - Then San Geronimo
Then Lagunitas - Taylorville - And on to Mont’Rio
Then Moscow Mill, then Duncan’s Mill - Kidd Creek
and Elim Grove
Then chugging up the coast
Cazadero is your host! (Chorus:)
It started in 1875 - And in 1930 was done
The North Coast Pacific Railroad - Had many an exciting run
From Point Reyes to Monte Rio - Were 69 trestles to cross
They must have groaned and swayed
And sometimes I bet you prayed!
Wine from Occidental - Potatoes from Valley Ford
Grain and milk from Tomales - Marshall’s oysters
all aboard
80 miles of tracks from end to end
an’ tha quake hit in nineteen-six
Pt. Reyes Station bound
Engine lying on the ground! (Chorus:)
Well the railroad days have gone on by
But some stations still stand and say
Tho the weeds took over my railroad beds
My trains they had their day!
You can hear the whistle’s distant call
You can hear the engine’s moan
Chorus: + Tag (Slow down engineer - my station’s almost here
Slow down engineer - San Geronimo’s very near! )
STEEL RAILS IN THE SUNSHINE (© Bernie
Griff - SG, CA 1/09/98)
Steel rails in the sunshine - train is comin’ down
People at the station hear that moanin’ sound
People at the station hear that moanin’ sound
Standin’ at the station - steam hissin’ in your eyes
Pt. Reyes to Cazadero in about three hours time
Pt. Reyes to Cazadero in about three hours time
It was early Thursday morning
Ed Briggs grabbed his hat
He threw a kiss to his wife in bed
And remembered to feed the cat
He was on his way to the train yard
To pick up Number Nine
He had the run from San Rafael
To Cazadero down the line (Chorus:)
He waved hello to Don Kimbrow
And waved to the signalman
Kicked her in gear and Number Nine
Started kickin’ her wheels again
The Fireman stoked and shoveled on coal
The whistle strained and moaned
Number Nine pulled out of San Rafael
And Ed Briggs said “Let’s go!”
(Chorus:)
A highball was at Junction
So Ed went right on by
He knew the track was clear ahead
As the Switchman caught his eye
At Fairfax was a lowball
Ed slowed down for the stop
The carknocker hammered at the wheels
Made sure things were tiptop (Chorus:)
Then at San Geronimo Station
Had to throw the switch and then
Ed led her to spur track
Where they cut one off the end
The Brakeman boarded the crummy
Nine pulled down the narrow gauge
Ed breathed a sigh as they went on by
Soon they chugged into Pt Reyes (Chorus:)
Was quiet in Tomales
And noisy at Duncan Mills
There was old Mrs. Duncan’s Teakettle
Haulin’ wood and steamin’ still
Ed waved to a friend at Julian’s hotel
Then headed up the coast
They’d soon be restin at the end of the line
Eatin’ some of Annie’s roast (Chorus:)
SOUTHBOUND TRAIN FROM
TOMALES
( © Bernie Griff (12/19/97) SG, CA)
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY OF THE TRAIN DAYS
IN THE COUNTY OF MARIN
IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE RAILROAD
FOLKS WERE JUST GETTING USED TO THE DIN
CHORUS:
SOUTHBOUND TRAIN - SOUTHBOUND TRAIN
NOBODY BUT THE WIND TO BLAME
AND IT’S TROUBLE ON THE SOUTHBOUND TRAIN
THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED YET
NOT ONE THAT MADE THE NEWS
BUT THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST RAILROAD
WAS ABOUT TO SING THE BLUES CHORUS:
ON A SOUTHBOUND TRAIN FROM TOMALES
THE YEAR WAS SEVENTY-FIVE
THE MONTH IT WAS OF APRIL
AND A GALE WAS BLOWIN’ WIDE CHORUS:
TREES WERE FALLING DOWN EVERYWHERE
THE PASENGERS FULL OF FEAR
THERE WAS ENGINE ,TENDER, BAGGAGE
AND TWO PASSENGER CARS TO STEER CHORUS:
BUT AT A CURVE NEAR LYFORD STATION
A MIGHTY GUST STRUCK THE TRAIN
RAISED THE REAR CAR RIGHT OFF THE TRACK
ROLLED THIRTY FEET DOWN THAT DAY CHORUS:
NINETEEN PASSENGERS FLIPPED AND THROWN
AND TWO GOT IT PRETTY BAD
A REVEREND AND A CARPENTER HOSPITAL BOUND
OH YES, IT WAS MIGHTY SAD
SOUTHBOUND TRAIN - SOUTHBOUND TRAIN
NOBODY BUT THE WIND TO BLAME
AND IT’S TROUBLE ON THE SOUTHBOUND TRAIN (REPEAT CHORUS))
TOCOLOMA TRAIN FOR
CAZEDERO (#165 @ 194bpm - Key of
D 2@ transpose)
It was June 24 in the year 19-O’ 3
Just North of Tocaloma she rolled over
No. 20 pulling coaches jumped a curve that fateful day
Took your tender with you to the railside clover
Still holding the lever for the airbrakes - breathin’ hard
Jack Williams, engineer died ‘neath the wreck
Robert Clark the Fireman was burned there pretty bad
In the hospital for months ‘fore he got back
Chorus: Tocaloma Train for Cazadero
Just 3
days from the crash was at Pt. Reyes
Tocaloma
Train for Cazadero
You’re morning train jumped an awful curve that day
(Chorus: Instr:)
The news quickly reached Tocalama
And A work train came runnin’ down real soon
And in doing so almost caused a big collision
When the “Whistle Pig” bumped the rear coach -
changed his tune
With luck they had no problems
After this rash episode
But it took 6 hours to clear that awful view
The North Shore Railroad was having
problems with those curves
Tocaloma Train was one more in the news.
Chorus: Tocaloma Train for Cazadero
Just 3
days from the crash was at Pt. Reyes
Tocaloma
Train for Cazadero
You’re morning train jumped an awful curve that day
You’re morning train jumped an awful curve that day
You’re morning train jumped an awful curve that day
* “Whistle Pig” - engineer
© Bernie Griff * Feb. 22, 2008
* Redding, CA
LAGUNITAS CANYON TRAIN
Now Joseph Eastland - of the NPC
From the Russian River - came his family and he
The Eastbound train - near Lagunitas they did fly
Passengers laughing - and ‘round the curves they did cry
At Lagunitas Canyon - their train comin’ through
The Russian River outing - was what they loved to do
Singin’ ditties - as the train rumbled on
Someone playin’ a mouth harp - A Uke strumming along
Chorus: For the tracks and
trestles - the tunnels and the hills
O’er the canyons and the S-Curves
Risk
rides with all the frills
The
Engineer and the brakeman - are hardy and quick
On the
narrow-gauge rail -
Well, you just can’t predict
Suddenly he heard - ringing of the knell
Click-clack of the track - stopped and rang the bell
Train left the tracks - slidin’ down took out a tree
There the cars roof crashed - Into Paper Mill Creek
This train disaster - is sad to relate
It was August - in eighteen-eighty-eight
President of the railroad - lost his daughter that time
From the NPC Railroad -Eastland soon did
resign (Chorus:)
Nevermore will I ride - on the NPC
No more 8:15 - no railroads for me
Nevermore will I listen - for that moanin’ sound
No tunnels or trestles - I won’t be railroad bound
His railaroad car - the “Mill wood” lying there
Said that lonesome whistle - will remind me I fear
He said to his Alice - Oh, the trains have failed
That fate has took my child - on the narrow gauge rail
(Chorus:)
© Bernie Griff April 4, 2008 * Redding, CA
The Fairfax Picnic Train
We talked to Charlie Austin one friday afternoon
He told us all about the picnic train
Folks would leave from San Francisco
Every Saturday and catch the Sausalito 8:15
We were sitting on a picnic table...there in Fairfax Park
It was nineteen-seventy-six in early June
But Charley talked of trains when he was just a kid
When walking ‘long the tracks was fun to do
We’d head up to a trestle...that crossed up on
White’s Hill
Looking down it seem a thousand feet or more
When a passenger or freight train was coming down the tracks
It was scary as we ran you can be sure!
Chorus
Fairfax Picnic Train...you’re on your way again
Passengers are singing “Daisy give your answer true”
In Fairfax Town the train is bound around 8:42
In Fairfax Town the train is bound around 8:42
Charley’s mind was going back to nine-teen-twenty-one
When trains would bring some thousands to the town
There was dancing every Saturday the Charleston was the rage
They danced Black Bottom round and round
Said he had a couple of uncles worked the North Shore Rail
I’ll tell you of some stations I recall
There was Fairfax, Pastori, Landsdale Starion they would hail
There was San Anselmo...WestEnd...San Rafael
You could hear the whistle blowin’...click-clack of the tracks
Your could hear the engine hissing see the spray
The people would commute to San Francisco with the Ferry
Before the Golden Gate went cross the Bay
(Chorus:)
People from the city...gettin’ off the train
Headin’ for the gate at Fairfax Park
Charley’s rakin’ sawdust...at the booths that sell
the food
In the distance you can hear a hound dog’s bark
The train is puffin’ outta town...headin’ for Pt.
Reyes
Then to Cazadero...chugging’ downs the line
The turn-around will head her back...to Fairfax later on
Pickin’ picnic folks up...right on time
Click-clack to Sausalito..the picnic folks will go
Waitin’ for the ferry by the tracks
Back to San Franciso till the weekend comes again
Then the Fairfax Picnic Train will bring ‘em
back (Chorus:)
© Bernie Griff * April, 29, 2008
* Redding, CA
THE LAST TRAIN FROM MARIN
CHORUS: The last train from Marin
Is
headin’ for Olema
In the
photo she is down the hill
Her
mighty engine’s whistle
Is a sad
and lonesome whining
The last
train from Marin will soon be still
In the photo you can see
Grass and weeds are taking over
Crowding out the crossties and the rails
You can see her caboose is fading in the distance
Like a sunset she is going down the trail
Well, I caught the engineer’s eyes
He sadly pulled the whistle’s chain down
Headin’ for White’s Hill, he left Ross Station
Before he makes Woodacre
There’s six trestles and two tunnels
Then thru West Marin the last train will be racin’
(CH:) (Instr:)
She’ll be at Pt. Reyes Station soon
And then Tomales Bay
They’ll be wavin’ to her knowin’
it’s the last
Then it’s Marshall up the coast
To her they will give a toast
The last train from Marin will bow and pass
Past the Mill and Austin Creek
Elim Grove and her tall trees
Then Cazadero greets her with a sigh
They’ll put her in the barn
Marin’s last train is surely gone
She’s the last train from Marin click-clacking by
(CH:)
The last steam train left San Rafael...in Nine-teen-fifty-three
“All aboard”, conductor yelled and rang the bell
Eddie Ardito remembers...the fun and friends he made there
On the train you got to know them really well
He said an engine and five cars...took us out of Fairfax
There was a boys car and a girls car for the ride
Then in 1941...these railroad cars stopped running
Busses took the place of the railroad line
Chorus:The last train from Marin
Is
headin’ for Olema
In the
photo she is down the hill
Her
mighty engine’s whistle
Is a sad
and lonesome whining
The last
train from Marin will soon be still
The last train from Marin will soon be still
© Bernie Griff * August 6, 2008 * Redding, California *