catchphrase / said by James
The murder train is pulling away from the station
What does "The murder train is pulling away from the station" mean on Small Town Murder?
The second half of the show's railway-station opening: James announces that the murder train is now leaving the station, following Jimmie's or his own 'all aboard the murder train'. It works as a cue that the episode is under way and is often varied with 'pull away', 'get away' or 'go away' from the station.
- Kind
- catchphrase
- Usually said by
- James
- First heard
- Episode 281, 7 May 2022
The story behind the phrase
Where did "The murder train is pulling away from the station" come from?
It first shows up in episode 281, a week after the murder train greeting started on Small Town Murder Express. James follows "all aboard the murder train, everyone" with "we're pulling away from the station". A week earlier he had said "we are leaving the station" in the same spot.
It finishes the railway joke begun by the "choo choo" and the "all aboard" call. The train sets off, and the show is under way.
How is "The murder train is pulling away from the station" used now?
James kept it as the second half of the Express opening, with small changes such as "chugging along" or "let's get it going away from the station". It comes just before he turns to the plugs and the case, and is still used in 2026.
When was "The murder train is pulling away from the station" first said?
It was first heard in episode 281, "Adam Sandler Killed My Family", on 7 May 2022, at about 0:00:24.
"We're pulling away from the station."
In the opening of episode 281, James follows his own 'all aboard the murder train everyone' with 'we're pulling away from the station'. A week earlier the show had used 'we are leaving the station' in the same spot, so this is a variation on an established railway intro rather than a line coined cold.
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