Salute to Steam

From the first journey of George Stephenson's Locomotion', from Stockton to Darlington on 27th September 1825, to the last scheduled train to be pulled by a steam locomotive on 8th August 1968.

A light-hearted look at the pleasures and hazards of railway travel in Britain in the age of steam

The steam is up; the engine bright and gold.
The fire-king echoes back the guard's shrill cry.
The roaring vapour shrieks out fierce and bold
A moment - and like lightning on we fly. (ANON)

Written by Norman Longmate.

Narrated by David Mahlowe.

Producer: Stanley Williamson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1975.