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 !



Showing posts with label QR National. Show all posts
Showing posts with label QR National. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

HUNTER - G CLASS ERA -10-4-2009

 

Please join us as we go baaaaaack in time and take a look at a day hunting G class up in the Hunter coalfields.

Not knowing how long they would last there, as it turned out it was a couple of years, we headed north to get some of the colourful combos they brought.

Actually, to be quite honest, it was more likely the prospect of a weekend in the Neath Hotel that was the driving force in our decision to go. The G class were probably just an added bonus.

You're welcome!



AC4301 is in the final stages of construction at Goninans Broadmeadow.
Photo: Brad Peadon


QR National 5010 at Goninans Broadmeadow.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8242 8201 pass Islington Junction with a loaded coal train.
Photo: Brad Peadon



9209 9202 9023 approaching Port Waratah with another load of coal to be dumped onto a ship.
Photo: Brad Peadon


BL27 has a bludge around Morandoo.
Photo: Brad Peadon



9035 9011 9016 9021 approach Tarro station with a load of coal destined for port.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Just in case such things interest, railcar 2704/2754 approach Tarro with a Newcastle (not that Newcastle Interchange guff) bound service.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8251 G538 9204 9210 with a rake of empty hoppers passing Tarro.
Photo: Brad Peadon


8251 G538 9204 9210 with a rake of empty hoppers now passing through Maitland following a bit of a motorcade.
Photo: Brad Peadon



9215 G526 8232 9015 are a rather colourful combo seen passing East Maitland station, on the approach to John Hourigan bridge..
Photo: Brad Peadon



2502 leads a northbound Exploder through East Maitland.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Back when 'QR National' was still a thing, their 5002 and 5011 are seen with a loaded coal train approaching 'John Hourigan' bridge at Pitacree.
Photo: Brad Peadon




Definitely the highlight of the day.
BL26 BL33 4836 and 603 trundle past Victoria Street (East Maitland) with an empty ore train.
Photo: Brad Peadon






2007/2000 on a northbound XPT service at Victoria Street (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon




2753/2703 stops at Victoria Street (East Maitland) for the one passenger offering.
Photo: Brad Peadon


9207 G529 G519 8205 on an up loaded coal at Victoria Street (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon




8243 9031 G543 9214 (very new) on an empty coal at Victoria Street (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon



8111 on a hopper transfer Victoria Street (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon


9005 9020 9010 snaking past Victoria Street station (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon


2754/2704 pauses briefly at Victoria Street (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon


5005 5006 on an up coal at Victoria Street (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon



2703/2753 at Victoria Street (East Maitland).
Photo: Brad Peadon



One last G class to end off the day as 8251 G538 9204 and 9210 turn up at Victoria Street (East Maitland) with an up coal just before the light disappeared.
Photo: Brad Peadon

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A huge thank you to Bradly 'Dr Cooties' Coulter.

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Wednesday, October 27, 2021

UNITED GONINAN - 30-6-2005

 


Some fifteen years ago I worked for Railway Digest, compiling the 'LocoShed Express' column.

The publication was, at the time, run by my friend Scott Martin.

It was a fun time, and quite a privilege to be able to work for a magazine that had been part of my life from the early days of my hobby.

One of the benefits of doing this, was the ability to attend a few very interesting rail related events. The most enjoyable was probably the handing over ceremony for the 'QR National' 5000 class.

Not only did I have a bias for all things Queensland (still do), it was one of the few times, if not the only time, the railfan media were given free run to check out the place.

In hindsight, I wish I took a lot more photos on the day. However, I didn't, but below are some of those I did.

Enjoy..........or not. That's purely up to you.





5007 was the newest member of the class completed and was used for the event. 5008 and 5009 can be seen below in various stages of completion.


Can't recall who any of the official people were now.
Though, in the above photo, I seem to remember the guy in the middle being from QR National and the guy to 'his' left being the boss at United Goninan.
Corrections, and additions, welcome.
Photos: Brad Peadon











Railway Digest, read by all the most important people.
Goninan boss at right, Andrew Constance lookalike competition winner at left.
Photo: Brad Peadon


The second of the new Huntercar DMU sets 2702/2752 under construction.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Shunter at the Goninan plant.
Photo: Brad Peadon


One of the cars for the first Hunter set 2701/2751 under construction.
Photo: Brad Peadon


2757 - Photo: Brad Peadon


Cab of 5009, yet to be placed on the locomotive. 
Photo: Brad Peadon



5008 to be the next locomotive completed. 
Photo: Brad Peadon






5009, following 5008 in the production line. 
Photo: Brad Peadon




5009 still some way off from completion
Photo: Brad Peadon





Video: Includes a shunt of the Goninan branch.