Bio: Malchow, Walter – Turns to Poetry (1974)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Malchow, Rau

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 18 Apr 1974

Walter Malchow, a retired steam locomotive engineer, has written the following poem about the old steam engine.

Born December 22, 1889 in the town of Mayville, just north of Dorchester, and raised in the area, his railroading career began on January 3, 1907, as a call boy. He walked six and one-half miles to work at the Round House in Abbotsford every day. He began working out of Stevens Point in December 1910, and was promoted to fireman and later to engineer. His run was usually Abbotsford to Sevens Point, where he makes his home. He was active in railroading 52 years and 9 months.

His poem was submitted for publication by Anna Rau, Dorchester, and follows:

Long ago when I was a little chap,
I lived just south of the railroad track.
I watch the trains, saw them come and go,
in sunny weather, rain and snow.
And as years went by I would dream,
of firing engines that ran by steam.
Later when I was in my teens,
I had the chance to fulfill my dreams.
Fired those engine for many a year,
Before I ws promoted to engineer.
How well I remember my first run,
Wasn’t like work, it was more like fun.
Now those engines are gone, they’ll not be back,
To huff and puff on the railroad track.
And I am old and getting grey,
just sitting around from day to day.
But tell myself I stil can dream,
of handling engines that ran by steam.

Walter P. Malchow
Steam Locomotive Engineer, Retired
2140 Center Street
Stevens Point, Wisconsin