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.
.
_
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).
_
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
_
**** LOCOMOTIVE/ PUBLICATIONS ****
-
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 !



Thursday, September 28, 2017





Sometimes you just decide to let the troublemakers of the hobby 
have their way and look for different ways to contribute to the hobby.
Destroying those who help preservation is cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Food for thought me thinks.
But 44 years of dealing with that sort of person, the lies, the death threats, and the hate, has only ever continued to fail in the attempt to make me stop helping others.
Hmmmm, 44 years, what a truly appropriate number.

Now lets get back to the hobby.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017





FORBES STATION (Stockinbingal-Parkes)

Opened: 1893
Not currently served by any regular passenger service.

Saturday, September 23, 2017





Gwabegar Line
Opened as Candos in 1914, then renamed Kandos in 1915.

Stay tuned for more exciting NSW heritage infrastructure photos from an era when our fellow railfans all worked together to make for a better hobby.









Friday, September 22, 2017


As far as random photos go, I guess they do not come more random than this.
I do not normally put many of my old Instamatic shots on the blog, however every now and then I make an exception.


I know little of this operation, where it ran, or how long it did so. I have only been to Manly once or twice since this shot was taken, but am almost certain it does not operate anymore.
Perhaps one new regulation, or a massive insurance increase, put an end to it all. Like so many other good things that we once enjoyed.


Best and Less have outlasted the Leyland Leopards around Mascot, however, it too is due to shortly be gone.
Too many Sydney icons have disappeared since I carried this bodgy little camera.




Golden West Tours.
Our ride from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves, having caught a V set up from Sydney.



LADY McKELL opposite the Opera House as she prepares for the
Australia Day 'Ferrython'.
Alas, she was not to win. That honour went to LADY WOODWARD, a regular
winner at these events.

The final four shots are taken around the BHP Steelworks system in Port Kembla.
The big K class were subsequently sold and later scrapped.
Pacific National has been ignoring the desperate pleas of museums who want to preserve the smaller units here, many having already been scrapped, NEEDLESSLY, during 2017.





Tuesday, September 19, 2017




Lue on the Mudgee line, back when it was still available for use.



Track vehicle in the dock platform at Young station.
This station is located on the, currently closed, line from Demondrille to Cowra. It is believed that part of this line, which will include Young, will be reopened for wheat traffic.

Having just run around, 3001 returns to Picton platform with a train bound for Thirlmere.


Back before her much drooled over restoration into the Indian Red livery, 42101 sat at Goulburn station for some time. She is seen here in the stunning candy livery.



The Semi-Retired Foamer during a familiy outing to the RTM back in the 1970s. 



Blayney station on the Main West line.



Bus for construction workers on the Mt Piper Power Station.



Anyone know the location?
Would love to hear from you.

Stay Tunes For More Random Picks!

Monday, September 18, 2017

RANDOM HELPINGS

4203 when outside the Cowra Caravan Park.