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 !



Wednesday, June 12, 2019


BOTANY LINE 80 CLASS


A Special Treat For My Mate Frank Kirk

  Back in the good old days, you know, those days when ALCo locomotives still covered the majority of New South Wales, the Comeng built 80 class were a regular feature on our local goods line to Port Botany.
  In recent times, I have been glad to make contact with my ol Victorian mate of many decades, Mr Frank Kirk. He recently mentioned his love of these ALCo beasts.
This one is for you.




Having just crossed the Illawarra line at Sydenham, 8002 39 41 are entering Marrickville loop, prior to joining the goods road.
8039 still exists, the other two have gone to God.


                                Yes, we did have permission to be standing here.
                    We were actually standing with the guy from the nearby staff hut.
                              8013 scrapped, others still existing, including 4803.





Shame about the one EMD that had to ruin a really good shot.
Botany New Yard was still very......well, new, when this was taken.
Both 80 class still exist.


Above train again, having just past under the Page Street overbridge at East Botany (or Pagewood if that is your preference) and about to enter the single line section to Mascot.
We recently got a letter from ARTC outlining plans to double track this line shortly. A plan that has been planned more times that I have have planned hot dinners at home for the family.
On the off chance that you even care, that is the Kelloggs breakfast cereal plant in the background. They were once a major supplier of traffic to the line, but alas, like so many other businesses, they have gone to road transport in an effort to add to the already ridiculous traffic levels in the local area. Yeah, thanks Kelloggs.



OK, now the EMD is getting a little out of hand.
However, give they are wearing the best livery to ever grace a NSW locomotive, I thought it OK to include this one as well.




Two minutes later and this would have almost been a time-exposure.
8048 and 21 have gone to God. 8012 may still be stored.



Same location details as the top shot. Can't be bothered typing it again.
RIP great ALCos.



Must be some heavy wagons behind those locos :-)
In order to free up paths on the single line section, it was common to see crazy combinations like this show up.
The 80 class were destined for a run op the north coast of NSW, while the two Jumbos behind were allocated to local Sydney trip working and would not be headed anywhere half as scenic.
8022 and 8021 now joining many of their sisters in being scrapped.



There you go Mr Kirk - Early Xmas gift :-)






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