The Ballad of Almondell
This composition by Andrew Newton and Rob Griffith shows the work carried out over the past ten years at Almondell from the start of the project in 2014 to 2024.
Lyrics by Andrew and Rob. (Please scroll down for a copy of the lyrics)
Music by Rob.
Video by Andrew.
The Ballad of Almondell
In bygone days we bought a sad old forest
The trees had been abandoned there for years
Victims of a sorry dereliction
A jungle that we knew we had to clear
Chainsaws felled the sickly and the wasted
Ropes and tractors’ hawsers took the strain
Roots came out to the hauling of the digger
And picks and spades and shovels dug the drains
And the old men said “Looks like it’ll never be finished,
This enterprise is going to run and run.
With our old and creaking joints, we’ll just stick to building points,
And let you fit young folk have all the fun!”
Through mud and flood and shale we made our progress
Rocks and blaes and ballast sought and found
Bridges, tunnels, gradients, embankments
Finally we laid the trackwork down
Bonds were formed through blood and sweat and bramble
Toil and laughter working day by day
Silent moments still as we remember
Those good friends we lost along the way
And the young men said “Looks like it’ll never be finished,
Some of us have to work and pay the bills.
We just don’t have the time, to spend down on the line,
So you retired old codgers have all the thrills!”
Cash rolled in from members’ willing pockets
And the trees we sold to the woodmill by the ton
The Centre rose with lathes and drills and sockets
So the Model Engineers could have their fun
The trains went round and round in snow and drizzle
Boiler tests were made and motions oiled
They forged along the track with hoot and whistle
And the drivers only stopped when the kettle boiled
And the wives and partners said “It’ll never be finished,
What about the painting, and that cruise?
We know you love your trains, but it’s driving us insane,
When Thursday comes around you can’t refuse!”
But come to see us now, the trains are running
Everyone is here to take a ride
Families and friends all love to travel
Through the lovely Almond countryside
Public running days and members’ sessions
All our efforts well and truly paid
All the doubting thomases are silent
And marvel at the wonders we have made.
And now we all just know it’ll never be finished!
Old and young and wives and friends as well
Up the straight and round the bend, we’ll be here until the end
So let’s all raise a cheer for Almondell!
the end
