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

Yesterday was a rainy Sunday, so…

Productive rainy day! 
Is that round thing to the left anything in particular related to the scene? 

D_Will said

Productive rainy day! 
Is that round thing to the left anything in particular related to the scene? 

From “Post #292,564”, 26th September 2025, 1:07 pm

The thing to the left is from a perfume bottle. It will be turned into a water tank.

Cheers,
Claus

Ooops, I thought it was a stack of tractor tyres 

Clever! 
Amazing how useful those bits and bobs can be…

Goods shed ready for business


Just the gutters and downpipes are missing.

Ed said

Ooops, I thought it was a stack of tractor tyres 

From “Post #292,566”, 26th September 2025, 4:08 pm

Yes - I thought so too …………………..

Nice building Claus - I like the roof tiles. 

Cutting Corner(s)

When I do modelling, I try no to cut corners. However, the other day I literally cut a corner. The contour of the landscape was created before any tracks into Gumnut Gully were laid down. I did try my best not to get too steep slopes, but one corner ended up being too high or too close to the track. With some shaking, dust and derailments the corner was cut down to a more manageable height.

Absolutely plastered

Wednesday was the day to be plastered! Not me, but Stoney Creek in Gumnut Gully.


The banks of the creek was roughly landscaped with Styrofoam cut with a long blade. Not too messy, thankfully. Next step was the finer landscaping with plaster of paris. Last time I did a similar job was some 30 odd years ago, so my skills were a little rusty. I half-filled the red container with water and stirred in the plaster. Everything worked quite well. I did the bank to the right in one go and it came out quite smooth.


For the left bank I intended to repeat the success. Half-filled the container with water and stirred in some plaster, which hardened in about 60 seconds! Scraped out the container before it went into the fridge together with the bottle of water. I have read working with cold ingredients gives you a longer period before the plaster sets. After 30 minutes cooling off, water went into the container followed by the plaster. Again, the plaster went hard after 60 seconds. Could the cause be the residue in the container? I don't know, but the from then on very little water went into the container and the mixture was quite thin. Working fast and with several mixes I got the left side done. It is quite rough in appearance. I hope I can smooth it out before planting grass and trees.

Hi Claus,
For what it's worth I put the plaster in a container first and then add water sparingl until I've got the right mix.

peterm said

Hi Claus,
For what it's worth I put the plaster in a container first and then add water sparingl until I've got the right mix.

From “Post #292,643”, 12th October 2025, 10:32 am

Well, it may make a difference. As a male I usually don't read instructions   , but this time I did!

if it's plaster of Paris you're using Claus, it's the very devil to work with.  It sets rock hard before you can write "Paris" on a bit of paper !!  That's why they use it for medical casts - it's fast setting ……….

Have you tried the plaster bandage - 'Mod-Rock' is one brand.  It's great to work with although one does have to raid the piggy bank to acquire some ……………….

The terrain is taking shape nicely. 

Gumnut Gully Fire Station




With the bush fire season fast approaching the need of a fire station in Gumnut Gully is urgent. A couple of photos from Walhalla, Victoria, serve as inspiration.


The sign next to the fire station says:

What a funny spot for a building…!

D_Will said

What a funny spot for a building…!

From “Post #292,680”, 17th October 2025, 1:40 pm

Yes. I just had to model it!

Easy access to water in the rainly season ……………….

Does the fact that it's called ' Walhalla' carry any significance ?  Maybe they were careless with their fire crews …………

Whatever, a very interesting building.

Petermac said

Easy access to water in the rainly season ……………….

Does the fact that it's called ' Walhalla' carry any significance ?  Maybe they were careless with their fire crews …………

Whatever, a very interesting building.

From “Post #292,684”, 17th October 2025, 8:33 pm

Petermac said

Easy access to water in the rainly season ……………….

Does the fact that it's called ' Walhalla' carry any significance ?  Maybe they were careless with their fire crews …………

Whatever, a very interesting building.

From “Post #292,684”, 17th October 2025, 8:33 pm

In 1866, the township of Stringer's Creek had been surveyed and renamed Walhalla, after one of the most prosperous mines then working.
If you are intrested in further information on Walhalla, its goldmines and narrow gauge railway (part of it is still operating!) try Walhalla, Victoria - Wikipedia.

Spanning the Creek


The walls of the Fire Station are up.

Hidden 'gem'



The fire station requires a proper support across the creek. Like the original five beams have been put up. It looks rather good, I think. Unfortunately only the outermost beams are visible with the building in place.