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 !



Monday, May 21, 2018



Semi Retired Foamer 
Videos

A selection of videos taken in 1989, showcasing the situation at Yass Town, Yass Junction, Bowning, Galong and Boorowa.

Yass Town
Join us as we follow the line from the town, to the junction.
A look at the stations, sidings and other infrastructure, not long after the line saw it's final train.
The video finishes with a selection of current-day photos of the line.




Bowning To Boorowa via Galong
A look at these three locations back in 1989.
Signaling and services that will never be seen again.
Boorowa yard is seen back when the yard was still intact


Stay tuned for more riveting 1989 railway footage.
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Thursday, May 17, 2018


TUTUBAN YARD - APRIL 2018


With some massive changes planned for the railways of the Philippines, I set about covering a lot of the current scene around Manila.
 Thank you to the 'Philippine National Railways' for their help in granting permission to get a historical record for the future.
  A lot more to come as we visit more yards and depots, long closed historic stations and a few old signalboxes.


Stay tuned




Sunday, May 13, 2018






Another riveting selection of slides from back in the days before hatred and ego controlled the railfan hobby. They were great days, no internet, just lineside mateship.
You can excuse anyone for being bitter. Years of trying to make a better hobby, trying to further railway preservation in NSW, just to be attacked endlessly from people professing to run the railway heritage industry, or who run mediocre Facebook groups while carrying a huge chip of HAYte on their shoulders.
  At least I have close friends, and a massive pile of memories left to enjoy. All of which I am happy to share with like-minded people who still care about the railfan hobby.

Beautiful Exeter station remains very much the same in 2018.



East Greta Junction on the South Maitland Railway.




Eugowra (terminus of line from Cowra)



Goulburn before the museum moved in.



Galong before a container train went through is.
Stay tuned for video footage from this station.






More old 80s/90s images (and videos) shortly.