Random Bollocks From A Semi-Retired Foamer!

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 !

Saturday, April 10, 2010

~~ LADYSMITH 1989 ~~

It was a very wet afternoon that greeted our arrival in Ladysmith, the first stop on a long journey south to Violet Town in order to chase the Flying Scotman through to Parkes. It was the last major trip involving the Scotman in what was a very hectic 12 months of photography.

Ladysmith, a station on the former line to Tumbarumba, remained in rather good condition despite the lines closure in 1975 (opened in 1917). Today the station is under the care of Tumba Rail.

The night was to be spent in a reasonably boring (railway wise) Wagga Wagga, before a very early dash south to meet the famous steamer. However, our ultimate destination was to be Cootamundra after the old Corona has a failure at Bethungra.

Perhaps it was mean't to be, subsequently leading to a very long association and many friendships in the Cootamundra region. To this day, returning to Coota is like returning home after a long time away.