first eurostar from st pancras

This is our Eurostar pulling away,
Here at St Pancras on opening day,
Cameras flash, and visitors cheer,
And Brussels has never quite seemed so near.
Gathering speed, it’s out of the shed:
The sunlight is slanting on the rails ahead.
Deep under London’s hustle and grime,
Stratford already and she’s on time.
Pushing 200 and starting to fly –
Essex marshes go shimmering by.
Free champagne in the buffet queue,
Taking it easy, enjoying the view.
Dartford and Ashford then deep into Kent,
Effortlessly pulling with no relent.

And suddenly plunging into the Tunnel
Trips no longer excite you? Well surely this one’ll!
People on business or out on day trips
Some anoraked trainspotters, some that are hip,
Oldsters and youngsters and middle aged chappies
All types the passengers, all of them happy.
People from London and people from Leeds
Down in the darkness at breakneck speeds
Glad to be travelling on the first train
From St Pancras to Brussels, and then back again.

Out into Picardy, slicing through France
Everyone gripped by this railway romance.
Over the border and Brussels in sight
Nearly at Midi – she’s doing all right.
Anticipation of friends they’ll be meeting
Slide into the platform, and warm are the greetings.

Sincere aplogies to WH Auden fans - here's the wonderful original:

http://www.newearth.demon.co.uk/poems/lyric206.htm