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, February 8, 2019

RIP ROBERT FRY

  Sometimes it feel like life, and life in the hobby, is just a little too unfair.
 The good people keep leaving us, while the evil that infests the hobby, constantly trying to spread lies and destroy lives, it just goes on and on.
  In recent years I have had to say my final goodbyes to such beautiful people as Tracey Gatt, James Loosemore, Bill Sullivan and Tony Bailey. All people who did much for the hobby and knew the true meaning of friendship.


  Recently I got word of the passing of Robert Fry.
  I used to hang out with Robert quite a bit in the 90s. He took me to parts of the Victorian railway system I would likely have never seen.
  Actually, he was instrumental in teaching me how to drive a manual car during one trip. He got tired and wanted someone to drive a long distance back to Ararat over night.
  Bunny hopping that car would be an understatement. On arriving at Ararat, around 5am, I was so fed up that I drove through red lights rather than have to stop and try start again :-)
  It was some months later that I tried a second time, around Menangle in David Henderson's car. That first occasion, in Victoria, must have worked, as from then I was able to not only drive a manual, but prefer it.

  Below are two videos I have done as a tribute to Rob. The cab ride footage was taken by my long time friend Kevin Medley. He kindly donated this, plus more that is yet to come to the Semi Retired Foamer Channel.
  It is classic 90s Victoria railroading, from the time that reminds me most of those days.

  Goodbye Rob, and thank you.




Cab riding X42 from Ouyan to Dunolly.






Coming soon, more Victorian railway videos 
dedicated to Robert Fry.

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