Apropos the new timetable for Steam Dreams Rail Company’s 2025 schedule and Wales’ inclusion some memorable lines from Queen Street Cardiff.
Between the wars poet Idris Davies may be little known outside of Wales and folk great Pete Seeger who set his ‘The Bells of Rhymney’ to music.
But his words and sentiments chimed with a wider audience when he made it onto Dublin DART trains one World Poetry Day.
With a message that harked back to more youthful days which I could recognise from my time in the Welsh capital.
For those who have not come across Idris Davies he speaks to our travelling community here too and anyone who has been through Cardiff Queen Street Station.
Poetry in motion
And a paean to Shirley Bassey’s home town…
‘And I almost hear the voices of a throng I never knew.
‘That passed through this same Queen Street, and under skies as blue.
‘And they too had their laughter, their sorrow, in their day.
‘And they too went a journey with an unreturning way.
‘But banish all such brooding, for May is in the air.
‘And Jack from Ystrad Mynach loves Jill from Aberdare.
‘And however Life shall use them, they shall talk in years to be.
‘Of when they were young in Queen Street in the city by the sea.’
Drink it in Cardiff
That I never reached Ystrad Mynach or Aberdare in my year in Cardiff learning this scribbling lark is an omission on my part.
But I do have fond memories of Queen Street, the Castle (not a pub but Kildare’s and The Crwys gladly took my custom).
And the Dominions Arcade and the train station which I saw plenty of in uprooting to the south of England.
The journey was as prosaic as it is today and make you want to hark back to Idris’s day.
And be thankful that there is a company out there who will provide you with that nostalgic steam train journey.
The heart of England
Steam Dreams bills their Southend to Cardiff trip on Wednesday, April 16 as…
A unique tour offering a fascinating adventure time traversing England.
Travelling through the glorious Cotswolds past the country’s rich tapestry of rolling scenery.
And feats of railway engineering, to visit the Welsh capital.
And all fine culinary, Champers and hospitality with Pullman dining £425pp/First Class (Non-Dining) £220pp.
Departing Shoeburyness at 6.45am and arriving back at Shoeburyness at 11pm.
With time to leaf through some poetry along the way and take in the Welsh capital when you arrive.
And some memorable lines from Queen Street Cardiff.
With Steam Dreams of course offering other escapes through time and England’s charms too.
