It's the nature of the beast for railroaders to have something of a dry wit.
Case in point: While at the Arkansas and Missouri museum on Tuesday, I heard loud clunks from the right of way. It transpired that several rotting ties were being replaced with the help of a half-sized excavator (nee' steam shovel back in the day). So, I watched the process of one tie being splintered and a new one shoved in place.
Stepping into the gift shop/ticket office, I proclaimed, "I have witnessed the battle primeval! Man and machine versus a rotten piece of wood!"
Coworker: "And the wood's winning, right?"
I had to concede the point. 
Mitch
