05/04/2026
This is a poem that Isabel Rugg wrote after a trip on the Keith and Dufftown Railway.
A Day of Relaxation
On a Sunday afternoon,
At the end of July,
I took a friend to Dufftown,
To pass some time by.
We boarded the train to Keith Town,
Along with other folk,
The guard came to snip and check our tickets,
Telling us a friendly joke.
Pointing out places of special beauty,
He clearly knew what was his duty,
All of a sudden the train it did stop,
We rose from our seats to see what was what!
A young roe deer had decided to wander
Across the line,
The driver kindly let it cross,
After all - the deer was boss!
On the train went, nothing daunted,
When the train did stop - and then it shunted,
A tree had fallen across the line,
Blocking our progress - once again.
Driver guard and volunteers,
Jumped out to see what could be done,
The roots of the tree had broken off,
Branches spreading over the line.
The men pulled and pulled,
And cleared aside the heavy branches,
On board again - the horn was tooted,
And off we were again - real suited!
Cameras again were flashing of every scene,
Here we go - Keith Town station,
Out we went to see the shop,
Buying souvenirs and maybe a nick-nack,
Time flew by - we had to go back,
Aboard the train - along the track
We passed fields of ponies, cows and donkey,
Fields of cows - alas - no monkeys,
Lovely pink flowers of willow herb,
Really magic to see - I give my word.
We finished our trip to Dufftown,
Visited the buffet car for a treat,
Then home again to have a seat,
And reflect upon the day's adventures.
