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 !



Saturday, April 15, 2017




Port Kembla - English Electrics


The Saddest of Sights.

  During the week we received news of the upcoming scrapping of numerous steelworks English Electric locomotives down at Port Kembla.
  It has been a while since I last visited the area, so took the opportunity to travel on down there with Mr Brad Coulter as suss out the current situation with the fleet.
  During the week, one of the PB class hauled D39, D44, D43, D33, D30 and D41 out of the works and into the Cringila Exchange Sidings.
  All are due to be hauled to a siding around Outer Harbour, where they will be scrapped.
  Today, April 15th, we arrived at Cringila and, following some time, we notice D39 had been moved already, with the others remaining in the sidings.
  The remaining ones are expected to follow shortly, however we tracked D39 too the final siding she will ever visit.

  What is particularly upsetting/infuriating about all this, is the fact that some of these locos could have had a new home in a museum. It was not a case of "you cannot preserve everything", these were actually wanted. However, Pacific National, treated the requests with the usual disinterest they show for this sort of thing.
  The locomotives have little mainline use, so are hardly likely to be used in competition to them.
   Pacific National insists that they are unable to sell them due to asbestos. Yet former staff of BHP's rail division will tell you how it was all removed. Bringing this up with PN finds a response of deathly silence.

  So, for now it seems that the future is grim and, in all likelihood, none of this important Illawarra, and steelworks, history will be saved for future generations.
  Surely a huge loss.
  Thank you Pacific National (for nothing)









  D39 was the first to be hauled to the killing grounds, either being moved there late Thursday, or during Good Friday.
  The other five (see photo at bottom) are expected to be moved this week and scrapping to occur soon after.





Death Row at Cringila today.




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