About the Song

“The Ballad of the Nasonville Valley Railroad” tells the story of the railroad itself—from the first rails laid by a father and son to the railroad that winds through the valley today.

The song travels over Genaro Trestle, past the covered bridge, through the tunnels and woodland, and up toward the Mountain Division. But beneath the story of rails, locomotives, and steam is another story: the people who built the railroad and the friendships and memories that have grown around it.

What began as a dream in a backyard became a place where friends gather, stories are shared, and the spirit of the old-time railroad continues to live. In that sense, every rail and tie really does have a story to tell.

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The Ballad of the Nasonville Valley Railroad

Verse 1

Down in the valley where the tall pines sway,
A whistle echoes at the break of day.
Steel rails shining in the morning sun,
The Nasonville Valley Railroad rolls on.
From the turntable round to the mountain grade,
Past the trestles that the railroad made,
Through the tunnel dark and the woodland green,
It’s the finest little line you’ve ever seen.

Chorus

Roll on, roll on, Nasonville line,
Through the hills of Rhode Island, winding through time.
With a plume of steam and a song so clear,
The Nasonville Valley Railroad is here.
Roll on, roll on, hear the whistle call,
Cross the bridges and the valleys one and all.
Every rail and tie tells a story untold,
Of the Nasonville Valley and hearts of gold.

Verse 2

Over Genaro Trestle, high and long,
The locomotive sings its iron song.
Past the covered bridge standing proud and strong,
Carrying memories all day long.
The station waits by the right-of-way,
For travelers dreaming of yesterday.
Though the years move on and the world may change,
The railroad’s spirit still remains.

Chorus

Roll on, roll on, Nasonville line,
Through the hills of Rhode Island, winding through time.
With a plume of steam and a song so clear,
The Nasonville Valley Railroad is here.
Roll on, roll on, hear the whistle call,
Cross the bridges and the valleys one and all.
Every rail and tie tells a story untold,
Of the Nasonville Valley and hearts of gold.

Verse 3

A father and son laid the first rails down,
Far away from the noise of the town.
What began as a dream beneath open skies,
Now lives where the mountain division lies.
Friends gather round from near and far,
To watch the steam beneath the stars.
Sharing stories by the engine’s glow,
Where the old-time railroad spirit flows.

Bridge

And when evening settles on the pine-clad hill,
The valley grows quiet, the world stands still.
Yet somewhere a whistle softly sings,
Of faith and friendship and simpler things.

Final Chorus

Roll on, roll on, Nasonville line,
Through the hills of Rhode Island, winding through time.
With a plume of steam and a song so clear,
The Nasonville Valley Railroad is here.
Roll on, roll on, for many a year,
May the sound of your whistle always be near.
For every mile you’ve traveled and every dream you’ve shown,
The Nasonville Valley Railroad will always lead us home.

Tag

“All aboard… Nasonville Valley Railroad… next stop, yesterday.”

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Lyrics © 2026 Jay Anthony Finelli. All rights reserved.

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