One of our most famous trains was called ‘The Fish’ and, as is with folklore, the meaning was lost over time. Sometimes other meanings are circulated. The ‘Fish’ train was so-called because the driver’s name was Salmon, the fireman was Trout and guard Pike (Found in the manuscript papers of Cunningham Henderson (Born1864-1950)
A Texan is bragging to an Australian on the train journey across the Nullabour.
“In Texas”, he drawls, “you can get on a train, ride all day long, and still be in Texas by nightfall”.
“Yeah,” replies the Englishman, “we have slow trains here too”.
The Australian railways were built by men from all walks of life and all nations. The Afghans, with their camels, played a leading role and have been commemorated by the naming of the trans-continent train, The Ghan. It has been said there are more wild camels in the Australian outback than the entire Middle East.
TRANSPORT
THE IRON ROAD
Introduction
William Webster
Engineman William Sexsmith
The First Train
Popular Music
Folklore
Navvies
Railway Hotels and Stations
Class and Jumping the Rattler
1917 Railway Strike
Train Names
Refreshment Rooms
Passenger Rules
Railway Union
Railway Magazine
Unusual Railway History
Mr Tom Cush
Railway Disasters
Timetables and Delays
More Folklore
Miscellaneous Rail Lore
150th Anniversary of Rail
Songs and Poems