Random Bollocks From A Semi-Retired Foamer!

From: OnTrack! Regional Rail Review

Humphrey: We've got to shut down another railway, Minister

Jim: Oh I say, do we?

Humphrey: So it seems minister

Jim: Which one this time?

Humphrey: Over at Cowra

Jim: Cowra! That's the war cemetery place?

Humphrey: Not quite - Japanese prisoners revolted - there was a prison camp

Bernard: Wasn't the natives then?

Others both stare at Bernard

Bernard: Being revolting

(They return to the subject at hand)

Jim: Ah! - That's the report? (Puts his hand out for Humphrey's file which he peruses)

Jim: I see they've got to stop trains to close it down

Humphrey: A tourism group minister - you know, run trains in the week-ends.

Jim: Can they take them somewhere else? People like them y'know - chuffing about here and there.

Humphrey: Oh yes Minister - there could be arrangements made

Jim: Right - mmmm - right - (reflects) save us money will it?

Humphrey: (nods)

Jim: S'pose we must then - other priorities, eh! - any problems?

Humphrey: The local councils aren't happy

Jim: Local councils are never happy.

Humphrey: They're coming to see you.

Jim: How many?

Humphrey: Five of them

Jim: That many -why?

Humphrey: They've formed a consortium - an alliance - to progress rail - their railways - this one!

Jim: Did we know?

Humphrey: Oh yes indeed.

Jim: How do they want to progress rail then?

Humphrey: They want to take the lines over.

Jim: Do they? - what a good idea!

Humphrey: I'm not so sure.

Jim: Why ever not? - local enthusiasm, business involvement, productivity, trains even?

Humphrey: All of that

Jim: Well where's the problem?

Humphrey: They'd probably make a show of it - contain costs - be efficient .

Jim: I see - show how it can be done, eh!

Humphrey: Probably

Jim: Set a precedent?

Humphrey: Yes minister!

Jim: Difficult!

Humphrey: Yes minister!

'Yes Minister! Australia 'is an adaptation from the original BBC series.

OnTrack! Regional Rail Review is published by Big Tree Country Management Services ABN 26 541 262 898 Wahgunyah 3687 Vic Australia Telephone 61 2 6033 3937. Design, presentation , editorial pictorial material and artwork C 2009 BTCMS.