Here on the rails men have their tales
Late one gloomy night in a storm howling with fight
Hogger Bob sat snug in his seat as did Conductor Pete
Hogger Bob liked to talk about the unstable rock
They crawled like a snake along Three Valley lake
Some nights can be so unkind and surely trick the mind
Hogger Bob yells to Pete, "We should have a meet
Many tales have been told of men's blood running cold
They stared in disbelief not understanding their grieve
This was a sickly sight that made their faces go white
They both felt a shiver that would make a dead man quiver
Hogger Bob grabbed the phone and in rather shaky tone
"This is the ninety five O nine". the dispatcher heard him whine
The dispatcher's voice gave them no cause for rejoice
"It happened yesterday morning with out any warning,
There were trees and boulders piled higher than a Moose's shoulders
Some say there's ice in the breath of the grim reaper named death
Hogger Bob it is said, is most assuredly dead,
That would scare a dead man from the ground.
If you have the time to listen to my rhyme
I'll tell you a tale that surely will astound.
Bob was an engineer, a job he loved most dear,
As he labored for the C.P. Railway line.
This is a yarn quite sad about a trip he had,
Concerning the Three Valley mile-board sign.
Him and conductor Pete departed Revelstoke town.
The night sky was insane with hard driven rain
And a wind that could blow a mountain down.
Just like they'd done trip after trip without fail.
They moved down the track pulling a hundred cars in back
With the steady boredom of a great snail.
That clung precariously above the track.
But this was the line since nineteen sixty nine
That took them to Kamloops and back.
Listening to the drone of engine ninety five O nine.
Suddenly conductor Pete rose to his feet
And on the radio called the Three Valley mile-board sign.
Into seeing things that plainly Aint there.
Now railroaders Aint dumb as a rule of thumb
And they always proceed with caution and care.
And the train should be six seventy two".
Something happened to their nerve when they rounded the next curve
As once again the Three Valley mile-board came into view.
From the certain fear of the unknown.
Here was a case which registered on each face
And it terrified them both to the bone.
As they rolled down the track in the rain.
They could not comprehend as they rounded the next bend
Only to see the Three Valley mile-board sign again.
And somehow seemed all too insane.
At the end of their wits and their brains tied up in fits
They bought the train to a stop in the rain.
When the Three Valley mile-board again did appear.
Some men go dumb and their hearts go numb
When they're dealing with such a horrible fear.
Dialed in the dispatcher for the C.P. Railway line.
He said in a hollow voice, " If only we had a choice,
We'd like to get by the Three Valley mile-board sign".
"We're stopped at Three Valley lake in an urgent state".
"We need some help", he heard him yelp,
"With something we just can't contemplate".
When he told them they'd made a dreadful mistake.
He told them the crew on the ninety five O nine was dead
And they were resting at the bottom of Three Valley lake.
precisely twenty four hours before".
"Their train hit a slide that was both deep and wide
and no one had survived, and that was for sure".
Where the ninety five O nine was taken out.
The mile-board marks the spot where these two men no rot,
And has sealed their fate beyond any doubt.
When he's telling you that you've reached your end.
Now these two lost souls who never achieved all their goals
Have a sad tale to tell if you have an ear to lend.
But his spirit is doing just fine.
Every night when it rains you can hear their refrains,
As he calls out the Three Valley mile-board sign.