Penny Davies and Roger Ilott – Shining Rails – Digital only

This collection of songs of the Australian Railways is Roger’s second train-themed CD and is a companion to his 1997 album RAILWAY TRACKS. Tiptoe into the shed where The Engines Sleep, ride through the night on the Shining Rails, travel north for a sweet slow trip Hauling Cane Round The Johnstone River, or listen to the story of a railway man in Ballad Of Locky Campbell. Head out from Toowoomba on The Western Mail and watch The Navvies at work, or head to the city where the tale of an over-worked railway porter will give you a glimpse of Christmas On The Railways. Take the last ride to the scrapheap with 3667, or on the Kempsey Mail (both written by Flying Circus’ James Wynne) – or sit on the platform Waiting For The Wallangarra Mail in vain. Stop at Werris Creek or Injune to see these once-thriving railway towns finding their feet in the post-railway world, and share the thoughts and aspirations of a railway man who was once part of The Great Railway Family.

After 60 years together, Australian folk musicians
PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT remain down-to-earth, hardworking, creative
professional musicians and songwriters. They got together in July, 1976, built their
own studio and record label and released their first album in 1983.
Since then they have released thirty albums of their own, and have produced
numerous albums for such performers as Gary Shearston, John Broomhall, Bill Scott,
Skewiff, Murrumbidgee Whalers, the Goodwills and many more. They have played
at countless folk clubs and folk festivals, toured for the Queensland Arts Council, and
have performed well over 1000 concerts, including the U.K. and U.S.A.
Their songs focus on Australia and the wider world. They sing songs of substance, songs of peace and
justice and struggle, plus descriptive songs of our country, and folk songs from around the world. Their
songs have been featured on seven of the ABC Australia All Over series of albums, and three of their songs
were highlights of the Australia All Over Top 100 Box Set.
“As we have travelled Along This Winding Way, crossing bridges and oceans – meeting singers, bards and
musicians, and other songwriters with a story to tell, we have also looked back to glimpse our origins.
Sometimes our childhood is a source of inspiration; the strong memories of small events that somehow help
define us. We are also driven by the desire to sing our history and to carry hope along with us, to stand up
for justice and for peace in a troubled world.” PENNY DAVIES, FEBRUARY, 2026