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 !



Friday, December 15, 2017



2017 S*M*U*T XMAS BBQ

It has been a big, and often none too pleasant, year for our S*M*U*T family.
We did have a number of gatherings, plus our successful day down at the Crookwell museum, where did much more than just hold the banner.
Sadly, a good portion of the year was marred by the failure of locomotive 3237, which was to be used on a tour to Boree Creek. While our group is limited to the seat allocations, souveniers and ticket sending, the large portion of the railfan community that do not have much talent for thought did their usual spraying of incorrect bollocks all over the net, both in 'supposedly' secret groups and more public forums, without doing themselves the favour of finding out facts before appearing to be stupid.
However, I am told that 3237 is about ready to go for her trials and I suspect S*M*U*T's small art in the whole thing will again be fully utilized for what promises to be a great tour.
  During 2017 we have farewelled a couple of family members, one in truly spectacular fashion, but welcomed quite a few more. All these do so much to make us the wonderfully varied group we are.

At the end of each year, we have our annual members Xmas party.
This year it was held lineside (legally for all you trespass nazis) at Sandgate and organised by Bradly Coulter, with help from his family.
BIG THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT WORK 
BRAD & FAMILY!

There were a number of interesting movements during the day, the winner being the recently purchased 42103 which was on it's way to Rothbury. Not sure how they ever plan to clear out of there if stuff keeps arriving.

Anyway, I've little more to add, other than to say that I look forward to all we get up to in 2018. Let's continue to ignore the troublemakers who seek to stop us, and forward the hobby even further.

Make it so.



Timing can not be any better.
Parked the van, walked up the stairs and this appears in the distance..











It all got a bit too much for the younguns.


"Yes we are more than 12 metres from the railhead"









A few FORD fans stand in amazement at the sight of an operational car.



8140 gives us a bit of a break from all the coal.

42103 on a Secialk :-) to Rothbury.



Aurizon push/pull coalie.

This is certainly the life.
Tezza enjoys the view.









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