~~ 44 CLASS DEDICATION ~~

OK, while we all (well most of us do) know, the 44 class has quite a huge following, not only in Australia, but also around the world thanks to its cousins overseas.
Its no secret that the 'Semi-Retired Foamer' is obsessed by them (and their overseas cousins), but there are others suffering from the same problem.

This photo was sent in by Glenn Ryan in dedication to our mutual 44 class worshipping mate David 'Gonzo' Kirkland who is alleged to have stated that he hopes to be reincarnated as 4445. ALLEGED!!!!
It shows 4445 in her final days, awaiting scrapping at Junee. While most of her is now gone, her cab was saved and exists in northern NSW.

Heres to our good friend Gonzo.

~~ RAILFANNING RAILFANS ~~

With nearly four decades of railfanning nunder the belt, it goes without saying that you meet many a fellow railfan during the course of your hobby. Some go on to be long term friends, some more short term, some you wouldn't wanna fall asleep around while alone.
The following selection of shots show a wide variety of these friends, from an equally wide variety to adventures we went on together. Some have sadly left us, but their memory lives on whenever these adventures are relived through photos.

A very young MrX who I still manage to go railfanning with today. Seen here in Brissie during the 90s.

MrX again, this time with Kevin Medley, Michael Stiles and John Auer at Brighton.

Michael passed away at Moss Vale some years ago, John has married and mostly disappeared, while Kevin is occasionally seen at the odd model exhibition or two.

John Solah at Kunkala and not just a little board stiff.


Frank Kirk's old layout in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Spent a few nights on this - actually had a few spectacular prangs on there as well.

Kevin Medley at Victor Harbor in South Australia.

Paskeville RSL - the throbbing heart of South Australia

The Gonzo (David Kirkland) hard at work at Sandown.

Steven Thomas and Scott (Scottgie) Harrison gunzelling the NSW Hunter Valley.

Frank Kirk at Spencer Street.

The sign don't lie.

Steven (KAK) Karas at the Mooney Mooney bridge lookout. I obviously collected stickers back then :-)

Stephen Miller!

God we were young. Think this was the late 80s at Cowra.David Henderson in the 42, me to the left and Peter Bubb to the right. Only just recently remade contact with Hendo, but no idea what has become of Peter Bubb.

The last train to leave Warwick Farm Racecourse.

T LtoR- ?, Glenn Ryan, Andrew Haviland, late Bruce Cook

B LtoR- Peter Bubb, David Kirkland, Roy Howarth, ?

One of the saddest losts to my part of the hobby was that of Bob Potts (yelling from the door) in a motor vehicle accident. A funny bloke, whos company was enjoyed many times either on trains or chasing the things around the countryside. He is seen here leaving Wongawilli in the Illawarra region of NSW.