G’day thrillseekers,
It’s that magical, slightly chaotic time of year again when our rag-tag bunch of railway tragics gathers trackside to celebrate Christmas — and to politely pretend we’re absolutely not timing the trains instead of singing carols.
These annual gatherings are always memorable, but this one carried a little extra weight. It wasn’t just about Christmas, bad jokes, and comparing camera lenses; it was also a tribute to our dear mate Brian Leedham, who left us far too soon, shortly after my own little health adventure decided to make life interesting.
Brian was many things:
a fiercely passionate railfan,
a tireless supporter of heritage and museums,
and a man who could tell you the history of a station building down to the number of weatherboards it had in 1954.
But what really set Brian apart wasn’t his encyclopedic rail knowledge — it was his heart.
Even while dealing with serious health issues of his own, and despite being the target of online bullying that many believe took a real toll on him, Brian always made the effort to check in on others.
Nearly every week — sometimes every day — he’d be in touch with his trademark question:
“Are you OK, Mister?”
It didn’t matter if he was tired, or unwell, or battling his own troubles.
He cared. Genuinely. Deeply. Consistently.
Just a couple of days before we lost him, Brian sent me one of those messages. I wish I’d known it was the last one. I probably would have kept him talking for hours — though knowing Brian, he would’ve managed to turn it into a conversation about heritage rollingstock, future preservation projects, and which station desperately needed a coat of paint.
The last time we saw each other in person was during the weekend he spent at Stockinbingal in rural New South Wales, working with a small group aiming to preserve the beautiful old station there. It was a grand idea — the sort of optimistic, heart-first venture Brian adored.
While the project never quite caught the support it needed, the weekend itself was a beauty.
I met wonderful locals, revisited a place that had been one of my regular haunts in the 80s and 90s, and saw Brian doing what he loved: dreaming big, advocating loudly, and rallying people with the enthusiasm of someone who truly cared about keeping railway history alive.
Thanks, Brian, for the friendship you offered so freely, and for the warmth you showed to so many across the rail community.
This year’s Christmas get-together was held once again at Leedham’s Lookout — a name we gave the spot back in 2021, half as a joke and half because the place just felt like him. It still does. And now, more than ever, it always will.
Here’s to you, mate.
Thanks for the laughs, the chats, the support, and the endless enthusiasm.
See you again one day my friend.
-----------------------------------------------
Semi-Retired Foamer!
Follow our page to be kept updated on every ghastly
thing we inflict upon the internet.
---------------------------------------------------------
8241 8251 - up grain - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
NHYH-92613S - coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
GWU008 XRN030 XRN009 - up coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Setting up the party with a gazebo to give a little relief from the ghastly heat of the day.
Photos: Brad Peadon
TT02 TT117 - empty coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
PHC002 CF4408 PHC001 - Containers - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
PHC002 CF4408 PHC001 - Containers - Leedham's Lookout
Headed to Port Botany.
Photo: Brad Peadon
WH001 - Empty Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
WH002 - Empty Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
5042 / 5011 - Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
2857/2807 - Up Passenger - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
NHIH-97372 - Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
9307 9202 9323 - Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
XRN017 XRN013 GWU011 - Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
QHAH-51758H - Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
L to R: Dr Cooties, Tony, Brad, Paul, Brian.
Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
5009 / 5037 - Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
CF4427 6024 - Up Coal - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
42103 - Light Engine to Telarah - Leedham's Lookout
Photos: Brad Peadon
2703/2753 - Up Passenger - Leedham's Lookout
Photo: Brad Peadon
-----------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Coming Christmas Day is the video version of all our shenanigans.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Bradly 'Dr Cooties' Coulter.
Ana Peadon
Brian Atkins, Paul Bird, Tony Cooper, Brad Coulter, and Tony Meredith.
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
