Orval Prophet Canadian singer extraordinaire told me about the train and how he knew the people personally, unfortunately Orval died before he could record it.


DEATH OF THE NEW YORK CENTRAL

Hear that New York Central groanin
Slowin down at Russell Station
Tar paper shacks where time as stopped
Fifty years ago

Everything around has flourished
But the old train was all finished
When the chug a lug of coal fire
Was replaced by diesel fuel

She was a school ride to the children
The milk run to the farmer
Painted like a lion
Jim Forsythe the conductor

From Ottawa to Messena
Bringin mail and loved ones to ya
Folks ran out the back porch
When they heard her whistle whine


Chorus:
You can't hear her engines roar
For she's gone forever more
Oh! how time has slipped away

You can see them in the yard
Obsolete and rusted hard
Snow and rain has killed this train

Verse:
Bernie Campbell was station master
Dave Preston was a foreman
And in my past life
I was Casey Jones

Now I'm a railroad country picker
Till my time is up I'll wonder
My next time around
I wanna be an engineer

Words & Music
Paul Henry Dallaire
Paul Henry Pub. SOCAN

Song may be heard at: www.johnnycashsong.com (2 Versions of it)