Flute Shuntings

Wait For It!

Train-Links

Sacred Cello

A couple of train and horse themes emerging on UrbanFlute!

Living not far from the railway, I often know that it’s five in the morning when the trains start rolling through. The other day I was awakened by these very odd, metallic flute-sounds coming from the general direction of the tracks; minutes later, like a somnambulist, I found myself walking out into the pre-dawn light, recorder in hand. I would not be disappointed, as I had recognized the distinctive yet unusual sounds of trains shunting in our residential area!

The first recording captures the flutings of the tracks and metrallick creaks and groans as trains are joined. The second recording I made as I headed home to get ready to play at the Evergreen Brick Works and while a train inspector walked along the other side of the long train. Apparently he was doing a visual check on the car-links as the train slowly moved ahead.

This distinctive painting by Alex Coleville can be viewed at the Hamilton Art Gallery. I’m sure its imagery could be over-interpreted, however it seems to speak to the world’s pending head-on collision with Nature; given the dramatic perspective, the viewer is likely to side with the fate of the dark horse!