PART 4

   Welcome to the fourth part of our look at SMUTTERs doing their bit for railway preservation. As each part has appeared, the contributions have continued to increase.
  In view of this, parts 4 and 5 will be extended in length to try to catch up.

  The series has also lead to the suggestion of recognizing those SMUTTERs who give so much to the model railway hobby. The suggestion has been taken up and will start early in 2018.
  We will soon be asking for contributions to that.

Taki doing the buffet car duties.

Zane working on something or another.

The preservation work of SMUTTERs is not limited to railways.
Daniel Callender is seen here needle gunning on the MV Cape Don.
Sydney Harbour.

Robert Mcfarlane hard at up u at State Mine.

Matthew Wilson on tour duties.

The State Mine 2 car set keeps SMUTTERs regularly busy.
Zac Dray is seen with Taki and Zane in the above views.

An eccentric crank carrying an eccentric rod.
Michael at the Zig Zag Railway.

Two more shots of Michael Grantham getting his dirty on the Zig Zag Railway.

__________________________________________________________________

Stay tuned for the last in the series.

A project the Semi-Retired Foamer and S*M*U*T are proud to be part of.

Howdee, and welcome back to the third installment of our rapidly growing photographic expose on the preservation efforts of S*M*U*T group members. 

What started out as a two part article, has inspired people to send in enough shots to ensure at least one more following this.
All this has lead me to reflect on the group and how lucky we are to have those who are in it. Such a great, hard working and dedicated group of volunteers, giving their all, despite the negativity that a few in the preservation hobby aim their way.

Without you guys we would be much the poorer.

Brad has devoted a large amount of time to promoting railway 

heritage in the Philippines.
After eight years of effort, 2007 saw the first attempt at setting u an official railway preservation group.
This group went on to restore the historic BUDA car above, as well as donating to a heritage railway display at the main passenger terminal of Tutuban.
He is currently working on the early stages of something bigger.

Zachary Dray dedicating his time to the bus preservation industry as well.

Sohtaka being a PSM on the State Mine Christmas tour to Tarana.

Linda Mcfarlane is a regular volunteer at Lithgow's 'State Mine Railway Museum'.

No, Zane is not sleeping on the job.
This one one SMUTTER the rest of himself as well.

The CPH 'Dream Team'.
Linda, Zane and Aaron.

Geoff Riley caught fitting the waugh grate side bearer bars to 3237.

Lithgow State Mine Railway website!

The final (possibly) instalment in the series will be available soon.

Welcome back to the second part of our look at the great work of the 

"Strange Modelers of Universal Trains' members and the great work they do.
Our group is based on friendship and giving back to the railway hobby. Two things that seem to scare so many people.
The first part of this article inspired many more to send in, even more, shots of SMUTTERs at work in the preservation scene.
Thank you to one and all.

Lenny Stewart drives the final spike on the restored platform Rd Crookwell.

Evan Rees was captured here needle gunning the bogies of MAM907.

Albert Melchert busy deplating (if that is a word) sleepers at Crookwell.

Zachary Dray is a regular sight on train tours, spending his free time helping passengers enjoy the experience even more.

Albert is SMUTs trike expert, having restored many over the years and with a great personal collection.

Though he is behind the camera in this shot, Bradly Coulter was conductor and trainee driver in this historic shot on the wharves at Newcastle.

Ben Barnes is another familiar sight on railway tours. This time he was the guard on a double headed steam train to Newcastle for THNSW.

Dodgy Lyons seems no more happier than when up front of the 
restored Red Rattler set.

_______________________________________________________________

Stay tuned for part 3 - Coming soon.

  One of the saddest parts of devoting your life to furthering the railway hobby is the hatred it attracts from those who either do nothing or those with some belief that they have competition.
  In recent weeks the 'Strange Modeler of Universal Trains' (SMUT) has been subject to a number of false accusations, along with hints aimed at our honesty in dealing with helping museums.
  The one being dealt with in this article is the accusation that SMUT members do not get their hands dirty in preservation. Given that membership is heavily drawn from museum volunteers, these comments have caused significantly upset and anger.
  Yes, we are not blind to the fact that these attacks were never made to be factual, their sole purpose being to try to stop our efforts to help. Over the years we have witnessed many good people forced out of the hobby, their biggest crime is that that they did something good for the hobby.
  Is that really the hobby we want?
  Do we really want a hobby at all?

  So, in light of all this, I bring forth an interesting selection of images covering the important work done almost weekly by members of our group.
  Yes, I know that this will only provoke further lies and hate, but we are lucky to have so many people dedicated to preservation and I feel it is about time they are all properly recognised.

Nathan at Neath during a tour of SMR10 and 18.

Paul on his beloved MARJORIE.
Paul is a very regular volunteer at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum.

Aaron getting his hands dirty at Thirlmere.

Michael and Aaron (Brothers Hobson) caught in a busy moment.

Quite possibly the nicest guy to exist in the railway hobby, Zane does a huge amount for the railway preservation and modelling scenes.
State Mine is one of his more frequent haunts and it is where he is seen above.

Zane at it again. State Mine.

Hunter legend Ray on the Goodwin ALCo owned 4833,

The SMUT team who made the Naradhan tour possible.
Left to right.
David X - Tour help.
Brad - Organiser: seating, ticketing, promoting, magazine and PR.
Greg - Organiser: Train, sales, LVR liason.
David H - Tour jack of all trades.
Hendo: Buffet car manager.
Rodney: Barbeque Cookerer and road support.
Sean: Tour help.

Rodney attending to the cooking needs of the pre-Naradhan tour party at Cootamundra West (not on ARTC property).

Lenny, one of the hard working volunteers at the Crookwell museum.

Ben, another volunteer worker at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum.

Thanks to everyone who sent in photos for this article and thanks to all those S*M*U*T members who go above and beyond for the preservation scene.

 

SAVE THE GLENREAGH RAILWAY STATION PRECINCT

One of New South Wale's leading preservationists, Brian Leedham, is spearheading a new campaign to save the historic station, and associated structures, in the north coast town of Glenreagh.

In more recent years, the area has been under the control of the 'Glenreagh Mountain Railway' ( a spin-off of the larger Dorrigo group), however, a lack of interested volunteers has seen the place deteriorate to the sad state it is today.
Brian, who has been travelling widely covering the railway heritage in a number of states, and who was instrumental in getting the 'Merriwa Railway Society' up and going, has now decided to use his talents to try and save this important part of history.

Not happy with the initial dismissive attitude of the 'Australian Rail Track Corporation' (ARTC), Brian has since gained the attention of the media, council and other bodies. He has also set up a group on Facebook that is approaching 400 members and growing constantly.

CLICK HERE: To freely join the group and support this effort.

While Brian works wonders in preservation, he can only do it with the help of all of us. It is a big task, made no easier by the constant attacks on his character, however he wants to give back to the hobby and deserves all the help he can get.
As railfans, I have to believe that none of us wishes to see even more railway history be destroyed. This is why the 'Semi-Retired Foamer', as well as the preservation supporting 'Strange Modelers of Universal Trains', support this great project.

Are you willing to do something for preservation also?

Join in!

Above photos were taken by the photographic legend that is Wayne Eade, and used with permission.

Sign the petition at Change.org.