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

Following with great interest.

I've avoided making trees thus far but given my layout is UK outline, some will have to grow pretty soon ……………….

Petermac said

Following with great interest.

I've avoided making trees thus far but given my layout is UK outline, some will have to grow pretty soon ……………….

From “Post #292,893”, 15th December 2025, 12:13 am

Tree making is not too difficult but 'fiddly'.

It's the fiddly bit that concerns me Claus …………………………………… 

Also, not sure what to use as the bark covering…………………….  I have DAS clay but not sure if that's ideal and not sure what you guys call 'gap filler' - is it some kind of mastic ?

Petermac said

It's the fiddly bit that concerns me Claus …………………………………… 

Also, not sure what to use as the bark covering…………………….  I have DAS clay but not sure if that's ideal and not sure what you guys call 'gap filler' - is it some kind of mastic ?

From “Post #292,906”, 15th December 2025, 10:10 pm

It could be some kind of mastic. The tube looks likes this:

Too busy gardening – no time for trees


This may sound like a contradiction. However, I have been busy in the garden. Only today I did find some time to work on the trees for the small forest near the Cricket Ground. The trees have got the first layer of 'leaves'. Once the glue is properly dried I will add more foliage.

Coming along nicely, Claus. I've yet to build a tree worth having.

It smells like pizza


The small forest with the path leading up to the Cricket* Ground is finished. Six gum trees (eucalyptus trees) and 12 shrubs have been planted. The leaves on the shrubs are made from 'rubbed' oregano leaves bought at the local supermarket. In the beginning they did smell like pizza!

The path is unused at the moment, but I think it will be busy before the local cricket* derby on Boxing Day.



* I apologise to our English readers for mentioning 'cricket'!

Claus Ellef said

* I apologise to our English readers for mentioning 'cricket'!

From “Post #292,956”, 23rd December 2025, 12:43 am

What can I say except…………………………………………………………………………………………. well done Australia 

The Clashes


It is Boxing Day and the local crowd has begun walking up the path to the Cricket Ground. The train with the players and spectators from Wombat Creek is about to stop at the halt. Before long the Boxing Day cricket match known as the 'Clashes' between Gumnut Gully and Wombat Creek will begin with the coin toss.

Ed said

Claus Ellef said

* I apologise to our English readers for mentioning 'cricket'!

From “Post #292,956”, 23rd December 2025, 12:43 am

What can I say except…………………………………………………………………………………………. well done Australia 

From “Post #292,957”, 23rd December 2025, 1:51 pm

As we British always say, "It's the taking part that matters, not who wins" …………………  I wonder why it's only the British who say that ………?  

Narrow 'narrow gauge'


The construction of The Long Tunnel Gold Mine in Gumnut Gully has commenced. Unexpectedly, the rails for the mining carts have been put in before the mine itself! The gauge is just 5mm (18 inches) and made of timber sleepers and I-profile polystyrene strips. How the ore will be transferred from the carts to the wagons is still to be determined.

I love it! 
How much of this will be visible when all is said and done?

D_Will said

I love it! 
How much of this will be visible when all is said and done?

From “Post #293,063”, 18th January 2026, 3:14 pm

4 to 5 cm of track towards the black square will be inside the mine. The rest will be visible.

On the Rocks


With an outside temperature of 35.5 degrees, the best place to be is in Gumnut Gully working on the rocks around the gold mine.

I know that's hot, but it was only 6 degrees here yesterday. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr 🌧️

It’s -26 in Winnipeg this morning, -34 with the wind chill. 🥶 
Almost the opposite of you, claus! 

D_Will said

It’s -26 in Winnipeg this morning, -34 with the wind chill. 🥶 
Almost the opposite of you, claus! 

From “Post #293,116”, 31st January 2026, 3:04 am

That's a bit cold. Years ago I biked to work in -25!

My Dad was born near Winnipeg and he said it could get cold there.   I suppose you just sit by the fire Darius …………………….

The coldest I've experienced is minus 19C in Germany and that was quite cool ………….

Rocking Along


Hard to imagine this is a working gold mine. At the moment it looks like an abandoned mine shaft and a rusty shed without any access point for the miners.

Perfect imperfections


The Long Tunnel Mine is in operation (sort of). Signs above the entrance and on the 'Explosives' storage have been added. Most importantly, though, is the flight of stairs joining the village to the mine. The purpose for the mine is getting some gold out of the ground. The state of the stairs is obviously less important.