3801, A song by Ray King and Ron Russell (1987). Ray King and Ron Russell - guitar, vocals and computer sequencing. Joy Howard - backing vocals.
In the golden age of steam There lived a beauty queen Roamin' around the countryside She was a driver's dream. Workin' days and workin' nights Up before the sun They all tried hard to get aboard Thirty-eight o one.
The queen of all the fleet The railway's pride and joy To ride upon the footplate Was the dream of every boy. As she went roarin' by on another express run Everyone would turn their heads for Thirty-eight o one.
Ah thirty-eight o one You stood the test you're still the best You just keep rollin' on.
Bound from Sydney town The black smoke rollin' higher Across the Hawkesbury river To Newcastle on the flier. Over the great divide On the Central Western run On the Southern Line right on time went Thirty-eight o one.
But your greatest feat Was steamin' across the nation All the crowds would gather round At every country station. On the standard gauge Westward to the sun Across to Perth and back again went Thirty-eight o one.
Ah thirty-eight o one You stood the test you're still the best You just keep rollin' on.
The days of steam have been and gone But some remember well That big green flash as she went by Had such a tale to tell. And now she's back upon the tracks She just keeps rollin' on She beat the rest she's still the best Thirty-eight o one.
Ah thirty-eight o one You stood the test you're still the best You just keep rollin' on.
Notes Ray King and Ron Russell were both working at Elcar when they wrote this song