RHYME AND REASON

At the Department of Culture it is our command, To tell you what you can’t understand, The word ‘national’ is one to deride, With its tawdry links to country and pride. It has no place in a railway collection, And you should think of a new direction, With a logo, shiny, bright and vast,

We can sever all links with the past. The scruffy old engines are just a distraction, From our new cafés and tourist attractions, The fusty old order just will not do,

(So we have got rid of an engine or two). Do go to York, while it’s still free,

But stop in the shop, before you have tea. John Ellwood, Carnforth