We’re off to ride a tram

At Pemberton no less

And we are excited

It’s a feeling I confess

Not only for the transport

But for the history that we’ll see

For once these little tramways

Brought in great logs for industry

For its here that grows great Karri

A timber that’s much prized

And these little railway lines

Was the transport they devised

We passed the mill that processed

The mighty tree called Karri

And the tiny cottages

That housed men that did not marry

We saw the Karri in all stages

From young to middle and old

But all stand tall and beautiful

In fact they look quite bold

We learnt about the plants that grow

Beside the railway line

Including a variegated Watsonia

That looked to us fine

We stopped to see the Cascades

Where the tinkling water flows

Hugged deep within the forest

Where the willow and peppermint grows

There were stories of steam days

Where water was much needed

A pipeline to a tank above

Was a solution that succeeded

Then came the history of the railway

The farmers south to serve

Originally to go to Albany

But was too expensive to dig and curve

We passed through Brockman Siding

And we stirred our imagination

Of standing there at 5 am 

 In a cold and windy situation

A brisk walk into the forest

To a giant Karri Tree

Quite hollow in the buttress

To house all the company

Now I’d like to talk of Peter

Guide and driver extraordinaire

Who took us on our journey safely

And was happy his lore to share

He knew all the plants and trees

The history and the stories

Of this lovely railway line

And of its old time glories

So thanks to Peter and the crew

That maintain this memory of the past

For it gives the enquiring traveler

Good thoughts that always last

Frank & Carolyn Gorton

Wauchope NSW