There are situations that leave a memorable mark and even years later, the story can be recounted in exacting detail without embellishment, and this is such a railway story.
This story comes from a Western Australian correspondent from Albany, a regular railway story teller whose father was a steam engine driver in the pre war years and early years after WWII.
This particular story related to a breakdown on an overnight train running to Perth in those pesky days of steam. Unlike the modern diesel era, breakdowns in the days of steam was not uncommon due to the vagaries of steam.
Noel Inglis is a retired music teacher and a very accomplished organist and even spent some time in the clink. When in Albany in 2010 I visited him when incarcerated. Prison Ministry isn't my thing, but this gave me a glimpse.
When I was compiling my 16 books of railway stories, Noel kindly sent many cassettes of recordings of his anecdotes. This is one of them
The Lady 'type'
This particular story featured a very prominent woman in the Perth community. The UK sit-com 'To the Manor Born' provides a background to the imagery. In this television program, n aristocratic widow left penniless, necessitating a relocation to the 'cottage' having been one of those significant people in the local society.
We are here setting a picture in which you the reader can identify the type of character presented by "The Lady' in this railway story.
To The Manor Born has this aristocrat expecting things to be done in her manner, and will personally 'dirty her own hands' to ensure they are. Impossible, forceful, determined, surprisingly agile and quick thinking, the sit-com presents the classic personality.
So to 'The Lady' on this night - the steam engine had a breakdown. The driver and fireman inspected the damage to the driving arm and piston and initiated temporary repairs to try and run the train to the next staff station.
This was a task that demanded a lot of physical energy with intense concentration. It is no easy job to mend the driving arm piston in the middle of the night under a kerosene lantern.
The Lady
Lo and behold, who should turn up on the per-way beside them, but this society matron. This 'lady' had awoken from slumber in her sleeping berth, pulled on her dressing gown, looked out along the train and saw the oil lamp and the figures in the partial light working on the engine.
'The Lady' climbed down the steps of the carriage and somehow in her high heels managed the terribly rough per-way of blue metal and arrived to where the men were working. To the engine crew's utter astonishment they saw this figure in this off-white dressing grown appear beside them, and demanding to know with indignation what the matter was.
The crew stammered an explanation and her next question related to the length of this delay. Possibly four hours was the response.
"That will just not do!" came her annoyed reply as she emphatically stated that she would miss a hair appointment, mentioning a very highly esteemed Perth salon.
The driver with some force of speech told her to return to her sleeping berth, and in a manner that she'd never been spoken to before. He did some straight talking.
I have often thought of that story. It is so true to life of the sort of character to whit we are all familiar. Perhaps a neighbour, an auntie or even a grand-mother. It is a story we can picture in our mind's eye. Someone who is pushy and very demanding regardless of the level of difficulty. They can give it well enough, but are insulted to the quick to get some straight talking directed at them.
The good book consists of a lot of straight talking. The pity is that too many people go off in a huff and don't take it seriously. The good book says you don't know what will happen tomorrow. It speaks of being prepared.
As the Footplate Padre my ministry is to give a reason – this is Jesus Christ died on Calvary and rose again the third day; that we might be ready for any eventuality. Our response is to yield to the Lord. A new world opens to us, one that is dependent on our choice – do I offer my life to Jesus or keep it for myself. It's a destiny question.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html