Trains
'Trains are made for meditation', John Betheman wrote in 1940. Mark Tully celebrates the beauty of rail travel with the Chaplain of St Pancras Station, Jonathan Barker.
'Trains are made for meditation', John Betjeman wrote, celebrating slow travel back in 1940. He was only one of many poets, writers and musicians who have found inspiration in rail travel. Hypnotised by the rhythm of the train, they find a freedom to think and to dream, inspired by the unfolding landscape outside.
Mark Tully chooses the best train poetry and music and talks to the Chaplain of St Pancras Station, Jonathan Barker, about his work on the station. With music by Glenn Miller, Anton Dvorak, Villa Lobos and Baron Samedi.
Producer: Elizabeth Burke
A Loftus production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Last on
Music Played
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Glenn Miller Orchestra, Paula Kelly, Tex Beneke & The Modernaires
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Performed by Glenn Miller and his orchestra.
- Glenn Miller β 34 Greatest Hits.
- Odessa Mama Records.
- B000UTHRE.
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Heitor VillaβLobos
The Little Train of the Caipira
Performed by Leopold Stokowski and the London Symphony Orchestra.
- Classic Records.
- B003TRMLOE.
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Arthur Honegger
Pacific 231
Performed by the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlands.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- B00000E535.
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Baron Samedi
Night Mail
- Wanderland.
- ElevenEleven Records.
- B004IY4REE.
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Acker Bilk
Gospel Train
- Boaters, Bowlers and Bow Ties.
- Decca (UMO.
- B002CPD59Y.
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AntonΓn DvoΕΓ‘k
Symphony no 7 (1st Movement)
Performed by the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
- Warner Classics.
- B00000F1RK.
Broadcasts
- Sun 27 Mar 2011 06:05ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 27 Mar 2011 23:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 25 Oct 2020 06:05ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 25 Oct 2020 23:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4