Random Bollocks From A Semi-Retired Foamer!

  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.