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 !



Monday, December 5, 2022

2022 SMUT/SRF WINGELLO XMAS PARTY



As is the yearly custom, early December saw the annual lineside Christmas gathering of the 'Strange Modelers of Universal Trains' and 'Semi-Retired Foamer'.

After a number of years around the Sandgate area of Newcastle, this year it was decided to return to the ever-popular locale of Wingello in the beautiful Southern Highlands.

Self-appointed railfan safety controllers please note that no yellow lines were violated during the course of this monumental event.
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The first stopover on the way down to Wingello was the lovely little station of Exeter, where time was spent photographing the station, and some passing trains.
This will be covered in another entry, sometime during 2023 when I can be remotely bothered.


GL107 GL111 GL108 passed through Exeter station on a light engine movement from Port Botany to Goulburn.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Two days were spent down in the town of Wingello.
This was my first visit since the massive bushfires that severely damaged the town, and I was unsure as to what I would find.
Such is nature that much of it had already come back, although signs of the destruction were to be seen, and the 'Wingello Village Store' has a good selection of photos on the wall.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Talking of the village store, great food, great people, and located right across from Wingello railway station.
I had the bacon and egg roll, but have partaken in the equally awesome burgers on earlier visits.
More than enough to solve any foamer hunger.
Oh, don't be surprised if you bump into a famous Timelord there.
Photo: Brad Peadon


NR64 AN4 NR102 races through Wingello with 4BM4 from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Photo: Brad Peadon


The visually unappealing QBX004 and QBX002 on southbound 1311 containers.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8141 8134 passes through on one of the many limestone trains seen on an average weekday.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Aiden Smith of the 'Aiden's Trains Youtube Channel' has an in-depth train discussion with Dr Cooties.
Photo: Brad Peadon


The day of the Christmas party started out very moist, something we thought was going to be the story for the whole day.
8105 8138 climb up toward Wingello station in the rain.
Photo: Brad Peadon


An overcast, but slightly drier, Wingello railway station.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Wingello local 'Boofhead' knew where he was going to get a feed. He joined the celebrations for the day.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Another Wingello local is on the prowl.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8168 8165 up grain enters Wingello station.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Anthony Snedden, Stephen 'Gecko' Karas, Rodney 'Rodders' Smith, Josh Russell, and Brad Coulter partake in the day's mildly exciting activities.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8245 8252 on a southbound empty limestone.
Photo: Brad Peadon



'J.Russell Productions' on YouTube.
Check him out, he has some great content.
Photo: Brad Peadon 


8253 8223 southbound empty grain.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8252 8245 on an up loaded limestone.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Bradly 'Dr Cooties' Coulter, Aiden Smith, and Stephen 'Gecko' Karas'.
Photo: Brad Peadon


The excitement was a little too much for the younguns.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Always got to keep watch on that competition.
Photo: Bradly Coulter


Despite being just a Bulldog, this train was the highlight of the day.
CLF2 BRM001 head south through Wingello on an empty grain.
Photo: Brad Peadon






Exploder from Canberra.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Rodney, our official BBQ cookerer.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Stephen Karas played the part of Santa Claus during the day.
Photo: Brad Peadon




Roddy is disgusted at the amount of graffiti.
Photo: Brad Peadon


How did this shot get in again?
Photo: Brad Peadon


Now an Exploder destined for Canberra.
Caught me by surprise obviously.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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All the Wingello party excitement - But in video form.
Just like the photos here, but moving.
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 At day's end, and with the sun finally out, we stopped at Bundanoon station.
This will also be covered next year.
Photo: Brad Peadon


 Moss Vale station with an Endeavour awaiting access to the mainline and station.
Photo: Brad Peadon


 Robertson station.
Lovely day, but a track possession meant no trains.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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A big thank you to everyone who attended this year's event.

Boofhead, Feathered Boofhead, Brad Coulter Snr, Bradly 'Dr Cooties' Coulter, Stephen 'Gecko' Karas', Kevin 'K-Med' Medley, Chris Miller, Josh Russell, Aiden Smith, Mick Smith, Rodney Smith, Anthony Snedden, and one very grumpy old train travelling local.
Cameo: Jamie Fisher

Aiden's Trains - On YouTube
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However, if you feel compelled to report people having fun:



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