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 !



Tuesday, December 10, 2024

SUGAR RAILS ALBUM - PART 1



Howdy folks!

One major drawback of years of neglecting to catalogue over 300,000 photos is that I'm now playing catch-up. While I've managed to organize thousands of images on this blog across various themes, there are still countless others sitting around waiting for their moment.

To tackle this backlog, I'm embarking on a mission to sort through and categorize a substantial number of these photos in the coming months. Expect to see posts dedicated to locomotives, carriages, infrastructure, trams, and buses, catering to those with even a passing interest in these subjects.

This series will cover the various Aussie Sugarmill rail systems and equipment that I have photographed over the years.
These will all be primarily around Queensland, however, preserved items will appear in other states.
If you're interested in sugarcane railway items in the Philippines feel free to check out my other website and forum.

Prepare for the approaching tsunami of photographs from the 80s till today.
Corrections are welcome.

You're welcome.

If you have an interest in aviation and other guff, check out my

Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment. 


ISIS No11 - EMB 10130.1 6.82 of 1982
Isis Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


FELIN-HEN - Baldwin 46828 of 1917.
Seen stored at the Qunaba Mill site.
Has since been sold to a preservation group in France and has been restored to operation.
Photo: Brad Peadon


5804 - Walkers 589 of 1969 
(ex Mt Isa Mines 5804, ex DH-7)
Isis Mill
It is believed to still be sitting there today.
Photo: Brad Peadon


ISIS No5 - Walkers 617 of 1969 (ex DH-35)
Isis Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


Ruston - 4wDM b/n. 371959/1953
Formerly from the CSR Condong Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


ALEXANDRA - Clyde 61-235  of 1961
Macknade Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon



MKD14 - EMB 6/2490.1 7.68  of 1968
Macknade Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and two below
DOUGLAS - Com-Eng AL2562  of 1963
IVY - Com-Eng AL4181 of 1965
FAUGH-A-BALAUGH - Com-Eng AL4190 of 1965
It was recently reported on the 'Light Railways of Australia' group that most of the Mossman fleet has been sold to MSF Sugar and transferred to the former Mourilyan Mill yard.
All three seen here are believed to have made the move.
Photo: Brad Peadon




GARGETT - Marian Mill
Eimco - L255 of 1990
Photo: Brad Peadon


MKD19 - EMB 6/1446.1 9.65  of 1965
Macknade Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


CROMARTY - Com-Eng CA1040 of 1960
STRATHALBYN - Westfalia  13863.1 8.91 of 1991
Invicta Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


TEGEGE - Former Bingera Mill
Com-Eng - FD4799 of 1966
Believed to now be at Millaquin Mill.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Brake Wagon 18 - Mulgrave Mill System
Photo: Brad Peadon


TULLY 3 - Tully Mill System
EMB - 6-1082-1-2-65 of 1965
Photo: Brad Peadon


Mourilyan 14 - Clyde 63-288 of 1963.
Seen inside the former Mourilyan Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


NYLETA - Prof Engineering for EIMCO. 
P.S.L.25.01 of 1990
South Johnstone Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


Mourilyan 12 - Clyde 55-60 of 1955.
Mourilyan 18 - Clyde 56-83 of 1956.
Seen inside the former Mourilyan Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


CROMARTY - Com-Eng CA1040 of 1960
Invicta Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon




ex Kalamia Mill.
Photo: Brad Peadon


ex Invicta Mill, ex Mulgrave Mill.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Mourilyan 15 - Clyde 66-491 of 1966.
Mourilyan 8 - Com-Eng AA1543 of 1960.
Mourilyan 11 - Clyde 55-64 of 1955.
Seen inside the former Mourilyan Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


Proserpine 2 - Clyde 56-91 of 1956.
Outside Proserpine Mill.
Photo: Brad Peadon


ISIS No1 - Walkers 602 of 1969 (ex DH-20)
Isis Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


ISIS No4 - Walkers 656 of 1970 (ex DH-69)
Isis Mill
Photo: Brad Peadon


Goondi #1 stored at the former Goondi Mill site.
Has since been preserved by the Illawarra Light Railway Museum.
Photo: Brad Peadon


LIVERPOOL - EMB 10385.1 8.82 of 1982.
Liverpool Creek on the South Johnstone system.
Photo: Brad Peadon

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All who joined me on my 2ft adventures.

Brian Bouchardt, William Thomson

Light Railways of Australia Group
Australian Sugar Cane Trains/Navvy Pics 2ft group.

 





Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment.
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Dad: Look at that flock of cows!
Kid: Herd of cows.
Dad: Of course I heard of cows! There's a flock of them over there! 


Interested in the narrow gauge sugarcane railways of Negros and Panay (Philippines), along with the industry they served?







Sunday, December 1, 2024

ANNUAL SRF/SMUT CHRISTMAS PARTY - 2024 MASCOT

 



After a challenging year, the anticipation for this year's annual Railfan Christmas party was higher than ever.
To make it easier for me to attend, Bradly Coulter, who usually organizes these events, thoughtfully chose Sydney as the venue.

For several years, we’d toyed with the idea of hosting the party along Sydney’s premier goods line to Port Botany. Initially, the Banksia Street bridge at Pagewood seemed like the ideal spot. However, a visit to the recently cleared Mascot Crossing site revealed it to be a much more fitting location.

The choice proved to be a hit, resulting in our best turnout since the memorable 2022 Wingello party.

If you have an interest in aviation and other guff, check out my



With persistent rumors about the impending withdrawal of the 14 class, capturing these locomotives was a top priority for most partygoers. However, the excitement over spotting so many Helgas was slightly eclipsed by an unexpected highlight—a surprise combo on the Southern Shorthaul from Kelso! 🙂

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who joined us for the day.

Looking ahead, we’re planning something special for next year: a gathering in the Hunter to honor the memory of our friend, Brian Leedham.

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Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment.


1428 passes the site of the former Mascot level crossing with containers destined for Moorebank.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Busy day for 1928 with her now being seen headed towards Port Botany.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Brad Coulter, Lindsay Lucas, and Steve Henry enjoying the annual Christmas function.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Cale Seamer (Mr Railway Coins) and the legendary Scott Mitchell.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Bradly Coulter, Brad Coulter, Nathan Chapple, Steve Henry, Wayne Eade.
Photo: Brad Peadon


The 14 class were out in force for the party.
1435 on another shuttle to Port Botany.
Photo: Brad Peadon


While overcast, for the most part, it was dry.
Most importantly, while the trains were going by.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Mr Lindsay Lucas.
Photo: Brad Peadon


The 412 in all it's famed glory.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Another of these rather unpretty beasts comes out of port.
Photo: Brad Peadon


A rather spotless 8130 was next through.
It ain't no candy livery, but it does look pretty good when new.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Nathan grabbing some bogie detail shots.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Who hasn't heard of the legendary Scott Mitchell?.
Photo: Brad Peadon




Definitely, one of the nicest blokes in the hobby.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
Suddenly we were greeted with this year's Christmas miracle.
C506 B61 4532 GM27 C504 with containers from Kelso to Port Botany.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Mr Steven Henry, a member of my era. :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon


G516 G534 on a Swift shuttle headed to Port Botany.
Some remains of the former level crossing can be seen to the left.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Without a doubt one of the best rail photographers in Australia today.
Mr Wayne Eade prepares for the approach of another train.
Photo: Brad Peadon


PHC001 and PHC002 led the Crawfords Train (Sandgate to Port Botany) past us with what was the last train we would see at this year's event.
Photo: Brad Peadon

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Following is a selection of old shots taken while the level crossing was still in place.







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Nathan Chapple, Brad Coulter, Bradly Coulter, Wayne Eade, Steve Henry, Lindsay Lucas, Scott Mitchell, and Cale Seamer.
And my driver on the day Ms Ana.

 







Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment.
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I would have liked to have been an Astronaut. 
Seeing as I am not a top gun pilot, have excellent health or degrees coming out of my ears, not liking sci-fi as it is ridiculous and far fetched, or remotely interested in Uranus..
I have been quoted by peers as being a Space cadet on occasion though.