A narrow gauge railway between the mines, the sawmill and the explosives factory

Petermac said

I'm just catching up Claus - regarding the trestle bridge piers,  As Nigel said, yours are spot on and a much stronger design than those in the print.  The print ones rely on the fixing to the main post for security whereas yours are also also resting on the cross member - a far stronger structure so not sure what the Victorian engineers had to drink the night before but it didn't do much for their brain powers ………….

How did the brake van work ?  It's just 4 wheels which however braked, must have struggled to hold a train load of gold nuggets - gold, so I'm told, is heavy stuff.  Can't confirm because the only gold I posess is in paint form ……………..

From “Post #292,206”, 1st June 2025, 10:58 am

You are right. The small brake van would have been hard at work with a train load of gold ore. Not as heavy as pure gold,  but still. The original van is fitted with vacuum hoses, so braking is not solely depending the guard's muscle power. Fortunately, the loaded train will go uphill on its way between Gumnut Gully and the Big Nugget Mine.
 

Into service



The brake has been finished and put into service. The photo shows the brake van assisting a rake of empty skips bound for the mine in Gumnut Gully.

The van has been classed 3NBC. '3' because it is the third composite brake van in the fleet 'NBC' for Narrow gauge Second class Brake van. The original was classed P1 at… Well, I am not sure if the van came from Mount Lyell Railway or North Mount Lyell Railway. Also notice, the van is fitted with vacuum brakes, which may be useful if the skips are fitted with vacuum pipes.

Looks great 

That does look good, Claus.

Lovely shot Claus.  

Station for Gumnut Gully


The narrow gauge railway was established to serve the mines with explosives, timber, coal and the occasional miners train. It was not intended to have regular passenger traffic, but after the line was extended to Gumnut Gully the purpose has changed. Because of the remoteness of Gumnut Gully and the poor road conditions the 'Gumnuts' saw the opportunity to travel by train to Wombat Creek. The railway has agreed to implement a regular passenger service and to build a station in Gumnut Gully. As always, the manager goes for second-hand options. In this case, a station building from Kappendrup. Unfortunately this is about 10,000 miles from Gumnut Gully. The building is old but he can have it for free. The next challenge will be finding cheap transportation.

Whatever you do, don't let Austrlia post get involved. It'd probably end up in Timbuktu.

peterm said

Whatever you do, don't let Austrlia post get involved. It'd probably end up in Timbuktu.

From “Post #292,294”, 3rd July 2025, 2:28 am

I will take your advice and stay clear of Australia post 😉

'New' station in Gumnut Gully


The 50 year old Kibri Ibach station survived the 10,000 miles journey inside my backpack. The station sort of resembles the old station building in Walhalla upon which the small hamlet of Gumnut Gully is modelled. Now it is time to landscape and add more buildings.

That's a nice looking station.

peterm said

That's a nice looking station.

From “Post #292,455”, 3rd September 2025, 12:33 am

Thank you. Next step will be to extend the platform.

Gumnut Gully Station is getting bigger

From the outset the narrow gauge railway was planned to just serve the goldmines with timber and explosives. Apart from miners no regular passenger traffic was expected. With the the line extended to Gumnut Gully regular passenger traffic became a reality. Gumnut Gully is rather isolated with poor roads into Wombat Creek and the rest of Victoria. The train is a far better option.


Regular passenger traffic requires a proper station in Gumnut Gully. The building is already up and the two platforms are under construction. At the end of the main platform timber can be loaded onto wagons. If loading is taking place, arriving passenger trains will use a narrow platform along track 2.



The station building is rather small and without public toilets. A separate toilet building will be erected at the platform. Victorian Railways have supplied the drawings. Please note, the drawings are dated four years into the future.

Time travel 

I see the proposed plans offer either separate or unisex toilets - which did the go for ?

Petermac said

I see the proposed plans offer either separate or unisex toilets - which did the go for ?

From “Post #292,490”, 14th September 2025, 11:08 am

I went for the large version with separate toilets.

Toilet building finished – almost





The very basic toilet building at Gumnut Gully station is almost finished. I opted for the version with separate female and male toilets. It is very basic amenities without lighting and hand basins. Signage still to come.

A basic bog that serves it's purpose.

Platforms are finished



The work at Gumnut Gully Station continues. The platforms are covered in sand (from the local beach!). A load of timber is ready to be loaded on the wagon. Unfortunately the crane is still missing a chain for its hook.

The 'Platform Signage' from Peco contains the sign 'Parcel Office'. As a consequence Gumnut Gully will get a standard 15' x 12' goods shed from the Victorian Railways.

Looking forward to the goods shed - will you use embossed sheets for the walling or lay individual planks ?

Petermac said

Looking forward to the goods shed - will you use embossed sheets for the walling or lay individual planks ?

From “Post #292,535”, 21st September 2025, 9:28 pm

I will use plastic card from Evergreen.