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, October 28, 2024

MAITLAND - SRF ANNUAL CONFERENCE - 26-10-2024



A day in Maitland with some very old mates.  

The drive to Maitland brought back a flood of memories. I hadn’t seen Frank and Alina Kirk in what felt like a lifetime, and the thought of surprising them had me grinning the whole way. On the route, I made a stop at Neath railway station along the South Maitland Railway. The station, now in a very advanced stage of dilapidation, stood quietly, waiting for the TLC that it will never likely get. I snapped a few photos, documenting every angle for a new historical association I’ve recently joined, then continued on, the anticipation of seeing my old mate growing.

  When I finally pulled into the High Street station carpark, Frank's face lit up in shock, then warmth as he recognized me. “Wow Mr Peadon, I didn't know you were coming up.” he laughed, pulling me in for a hug.

  The three of us spent hours roaming the familiar spots around Maitland, capturing images of trains in the old haunts around Maitland. Our cameras clicked non-stop, documenting everything, there had been so many changes on the coal roads over the years. The day grew even better when our friend, and fellow YouTube icon, Dr. Cooties showed up, camera in hand and the usual massive amounts of news.

  With Dr. Cooties in tow, the laughs got louder, and the photos grew more frequent. We shared stories, caught up on each other’s lives, and found ourselves laughing until our stomachs hurt—almost like no time had passed at all.
  For old time's sake, we stopped in at Henny Penny (remember them?) for some grub.

  The day wrapped up with one final shot: all of us, side by side, a great lasting memory of a wonderful day.

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NSW Railways Past and Present.
The Internet's premier group covering the incredible heritage of our railways.
All of the history - None of the hate. 
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After a few tough months, it was absolute heaven to have a stopover along Leggetts Drive to take in some of that wonderful rural atmosphere.
Photo: Brad Peadon


The magnificent Neath Hotel.
Once witness to a massive amount of rail traffic, today it has all gone silent. The closure of the Austar (Pelton) mine was the final nail in the coffin for the once-busy line.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Numerous photos
The current situation with the Neath Railway station.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The photos were all taken from an accessible passenger platform that is open and has no signage. Implied right of access.




All structures are in a deplorable state, with the earlier idea of restoring and preserving now beyond a realistic proposition.
The above shot gives a good indication of the termite damage that afflicts both the small station building and signalbox
Photo: Brad Peadon



The vandals have really given the Neath signal box a good seeing too over the years.
Photo: Brad Peadon




Above and below.
Restored old Caltex service station on Lang Street at Kurri Kurri
Photo: Brad Peadon



X200 (ex X207) East Greta Junction shunter.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
SMR18 and 4703 at East Greta Junction.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Signal - East Greta Junction
Photo: Brad Peadon


High Street Station, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Just turned up at High Street Maitland to surprise my old friend of many decades.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8253 8255 - Up grain - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


5011/5012 - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
5040/5044 - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



XRN011 XRN019 XRN012 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



Team Semi-Retired Foamer - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


5024 5006 / 5034 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



2703 / 2753 - Dn passenger - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
QE007 QE008 1108 1107 - Up containers - High Street, Maitland
The two lead units are obviously new.
Photo: Brad Peadon





Above and below
9310 9201 (9312 mid train) - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



6001 6002 - Up ore - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Exploder - Down passenger - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


RHDH-99132T - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
9202 LDP004 LDP009 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



NR77 NR35 NR69 - Up containers from Brisbane - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Dr Cooties and Frolicking Frank
Photo: Brad Peadon


9315 9211 TT03 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



9029 9025 9030 - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon




2751 / 2701 - Dn Passenger - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
TT132 TT01 (9207 mid train) - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
The oldest and newest TT class on the lead.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Above and below.
SSR103 SSR104 - Up Grain - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon





Above and below.
QE004 QE005 QE003 - Dn MT Grain - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon




9308 9215 TT117 - Dn MT Coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
9015 9032 9019 - Up Coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon




Frank getting some of that Hunter action.
High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


TT121 LDP011 LDP007 - Dn MT Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


2751 / 2701 - Dn passenger - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


TT118 TT125 TT114 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



9310 9201 (9312 mid train) - Down MT Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



9310 9201 (9312 mid train) - Down MT Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



5002 / 5023 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon



5002 / 5023 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


5002 / 5023 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon


2859 / 2809 - Dn Passenger - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon

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Bradly Coulter (Dr Cooties), Alina Kirk, Frank Kirk (Frolicking Frank), Ana Peadon, Ronnie Smithston
Australian Locomotive Rosters
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