Thirty years ago today — Sept. 18, 1993 — the sci-fi comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000 mentioned Duluth in “The Train Song” a.k.a. “What a Pleasant Journey.” Specifically referenced in the lyrics is the 1992 benzine spill in Superior known as “Toxic Tuesday.”
Music by: Michael J. Nelson
Lyrics by: Frank Conniff
The Duluth lyrics come at the 1:24 mark:
The 5:15 from Duluth, oh my, it just derailed,
The toxic waste’s a-spillin’, the conductor’s been impaled.
A benzine cloud has risen and the whole town’s startin’ to cough.
Within a couple of days all of our skin will fall off.
The segment is from episode #509, titled “The Girl in Lovers Lane.” The full show is embedded below.
