throwing switches - swinging lanterns
hear the clickety-clack clickety-clack
up in the tower
“open track 5, open track 10”
7:35 to baltimore eastbound
7:55 to los angeles westbound
keep to the timetable
waive the red and green flags
boxcars squeaking and groaning
bumping and grinding
engineer winding the wheel blowing the whistle
throwing in more coal - more speed
steam billowing white against the night
switchmen brakemen yard gang station masters
riding in an old caboose lights alit
loading cargo in the freight yard
old rail side shacks with rusty old tools
used by rusty old men and shiny new men too late to the party
passengers fast asleep in the Pullman car
starting to snow; snowflakes wet kisses on the windshield
while we in the cab are going over a stone arch bridge
over the mile high trestle in the mountains
across the viaduct crossing the gorge
tell the telegrapher to wire ahead that we’re on time
