>" It was four weeks late once" he said, "but it had the good
>grace to arrive at the right time, and on the right day of the
>week"
>
>Well it seemed a reasonable story, but then he tossed in a golden
>oldie..A nine month pregnant lady got off the train, and the SM
>said to her "You shouldn't have been travelling in that
>condition" to which she replied.."I wasn't when I joined this
>train"
>
>I reckon my passenger would be a great tour driver, but is there
>anyone prepared to vouch for the first part of the story, or is
>it just part of Ghan folklore?
It is quite probable that the (old) Ghan arrived four weeks late at some time.
The old line was prone to flooding and was sometimes out of action for weeks.
However, I doubt that it would have had passengers still on it.
As for the second part re pregnant woman, I have heard that about other lines.
Another old chestnut follows:
There was one train that was notoriously unopunctual, having never arrived on
time. However, on this occasion, the train arrived right on time. A bystander
went up to the driver and congratulated him for being on time for once.
The driver's reply: "on time by foot, this is yesterday's train."
The version of the above was in reference to the WAGR Kalgoorlie to Leonora
train.
John McCallum