This page is about me and my hobbies. My ugly mug is located here

I have always been interested in railways, and have very vague recollections of the end of steam in Perth as a child. Upon moving to Port Lincoln, South Australia, my interest became somewhat intense. I still have an interest in the railways on Eyre Peninsula, although my trips are far less frequent.

I have been partly active at the National Railway Museum, and have, in the past also done periods of time with the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway, "Steamtown"and Ghan Preservation Society.

Most people would know me because of my work as a railway photographer, with pictures being published in "Catchpoint" (NRM), "Rail Australia" (Bowenia Publications), "The Party-Line" and its predecessors (Steamtown), Pichi Richi Patter (PRR), "Speeder" (Motor Car Collectors of America), "Railways Restored" (a book published by former Sulzer Engineer, Arthur Taylor), "The Transcontinental" (Rural Press, Port Augusta), "The Recorder" (ARHS SA) "Pinjarra Steam Express" (HVTR), "SETOFF" (NARCOA Inc) "Westland" (ARHS WA) and the journal of Motorcar Owners West.

I started my steam training in 1987 with Ray Foster (sadly now deceased) on engines owned by the HVTR, and have since gained (under the old SA system) an unrestricted certificate of competency. I completed my National Certificate of Steam Plant Operation ("ES") in 1999 working on the Industry. I have also had the opportunity to gain steam experience with the Zig Zag Railway, Ghan Preservation Society, Steamtown, The TS Yelta, Belarine Peninsula Railway, the Mannum based PS Marion and Renmark's PS Industry. In July 2000, I achieved accreditation as a steam locomotive driver with The National Railway Museum (my favourite task was shunting the museum with Peronne). I have also driven their 18" gauge stock.

Over the years, I have acquired and run numerous Fairmont Motor Section cars. I own a small number that I used to run from time to time.I've spent time in the United States as a guest of Motorcar Operators West, and John Black, travelling on the Pacific North West Tour in 2003, and, more recently (2006), I ran the White Pass and Yukon Route, with John. My previous trip to the States was in 1995, when I visited long time pen friend and speeder enthusiast Jeffrey Dobek, in Keokuk, Iowa. I also rode on the Keokuk Junction Railway.

Between 1999 and 2005, a considerable part of my spare time was spent with the Australian Society of Section Car Operators Inc.

It was a challenge, but a lot of fun, to work with some of the most fantastic people to bring mainline access for section cars to Australia. I established ASSCO with the support of a small number of South Australian members. ASSCO is now the largest (not for profit) operator of railway track machines in Australia (indeed its size, turnover, and distance travelled exceeds those of a number of other "traditional" heritage railways).It holds railway safety accreditation in two jurisdictions, has over 80 members, has accessed all but one of the heritage railways as well as GWA track in SA, an impressive list of lines in Queensland owned by Queensland Railways and a heritage railway or two. This page shows the runs I have been on.

I have also volunteered some time to the Lions Club of YPRail as an adviser for their rail safety issues assisting them with the management of change process from the old loco hauled stock to railcars. In consultation with their management committee, I re-wrote their rail safety management system: it was accepted by the Rail Regulator on its first submission, with only some very minor tweaks.

My contributions to the Heritage Railway sector have included committee membership of Steamtown (including Editor of their internal magazine "The Party-Line" for some 4 years), numerous articles published locally and internationally, representative on the Council for Historic Railways and Tramways of South Australia for Steamtown and ASSCO, train operations on a number of heritage railways, provision of safety management advisory and auditing services (if your organisation is based outside of SA and needs an audit, email me!), and some input into the formation of ATHRA and ATR-Q, again through ASSCO.

My current employment is in the Rail Industry within a government regulatory role. This limits my involvement with Heritage Railways, but provides me with some very exciting challenges. Our unit is currently preparing to role out the new Rail Safety Act, 2006.

So now my spare time is spent playing with G Scale Model Railways.

I enjoy hearing from others, especially those who own and operate section cars - my contact details are here.