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 !



Sunday, November 21, 2010

~~ 4001 RETURNS TO SERVICE ~~

Well the foamers came out of the woodwork on Novemebr 20th the celebrate a very important event in NSW railway preservation history, the restoration to service of 4001 after more than 30 years sitting idle in a museum.
The 40 class were the first mainline diesel used in the state, so her returning to the rails is one of the more important achievements in preservation, some of us may even say rivalling any (non-SMR related) steam loco event. :-)
You know its important when you find renown GM obsessives out for a day of ALCo chasing. G'day there Mr Fisher :-)
The following two shots show 4001 crossing the Cooks River bridge at Tempe Station.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved at the RTM.



Monday, November 8, 2010

~~ WELCOME HOME SMR10 AND 18 ~~

A six hour return trip, a pre dawn departure, pouring rain during the whole event and deep thick mud.

AN AWESOME DAY!

Nothing was going to stop myself, along with my usual sidekick MrX, heading north towards Maitland to celebrate the returning home of SMR10 and 18 to their rightful home in East Greta Junction.
The whole day was somewhat heritage themed, with visits to Minmi and Pelaw Main aso partaken in, along with a chase of a Pelton (SMR) coalie with ALCo locomotives up front, something that will soon disappear.

Thanks to everyone at the HVTC and 'Friends of SMR' for a truly great day.


East Greta Junction


Abermain

B1 preserved at Minmi has had its windown smashed on the other side.

Passenger gets sick of waiting for next Cessnock passenger.