The Semi-Retired Foamer has been a railfan since he was around 5 years old, oh yes a very young age, an age when one really should avoid being involved with the gunzel community to any great extent. A few rather unsavoury people bringing that fact home.
After a few decades of train chasing, one decided to break with protocol and get married, thus leading to a severe cut in railfan activity.
Subsequent dealings with hate breeders, lunatics, mental defectives and self-appointed preservation overlords lead to an even greater decrease in my hobby participation.
However things have changed thanks to our small group of trusted mates, interest has returned, and now I have become a bit more involved yet again.
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Over the years I have tried my best to further both the hobby, as well as the friendships that it brings. I have done this by setting up proactive groups both here in Australia, as well as the Philippines. It is with huge honour that I am often considered the founding father of the railfan hobby in the Philippines (my second home).
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I don't take the hobby too seriously and I am a friend to anyone who is good and genuine. But never forgive those who have used their hate to destroy my hobby or hurt the friends within it.

Let's Make The Hobby Great Again!
I aim to share the era that I considered mine, the 80s and 90s. I also like to help promote, and even raise funds for, the various heritage societies that keep the era alive
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**** LOCOMOTIVE/ PUBLICATIONS ****
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We occasionally publish information on the locomotives, and rollingstock, from railways in Australia and the Philippines.
All are available for
FREE at our ALR WEBSITE.




Please email me should you wish to use anything from this site !



Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Bli Bli Pies & Randy Ducks - It Can Only Be Moreton! Part 1.

MORETON SUGAR MILL RAILWAYS!



Howdee,
It is as I start to do this series on the Moreton Mill railways that I realise that this year will mark the fifth year since closure of what was my favourite railway operation.
Over the years of being a dribbly foamer I have seen many lines disappear, some that held much significance, however it was the closure of this system that has affected me most.
A little more about my early days arond the system can be found HERE in an earlier posting.
With the exception of last year I still ventured up there on a yearly basis to cover what was left and, while I know that may sound quite sad, it did allow me to concentrate more on infrastructure than had been the case when the railway was operating. Thankfully it also allowed me the historic opportunity of photographing a locomotive touching soil on the east side of the David Low Bridge (Punt line) for the very last time.
During these later visits I tried to photograph (and even measure) as much railway related buildings, bridges and safeworking equipment as I could find. Much of the results of this will appear here in future posts
Incredibly, only three years after closure I was already having trouble locating some old sections that I once spent much time along, this was particularly the case along the 'Horse Line' which branched off from River Depot. Sadly the passage of time will render even more areas like this, with many a gunzel researcher in the future having to spend much time identifying where BLI BLI and her friends once trod.
So over the next few weeks I hope you will enjoy a look at many different aspects of what was once a great railway system.
In the meantime you may be interested in checking out these two websites covering other long gone railways in the area.

Brad

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