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

Or maybe, because there's no gold in them thar hills, they can't aford to repair the steps………………………………

The hill looks good enough to eat Claus - slabs of chocolate spring to mind ………………………

Petermac said

Or maybe, because there's no gold in them thar hills, they can't aford to repair the steps………………………………

The hill looks good enough to eat Claus - slabs of chocolate spring to mind ………………………

From “Post #293,226”, 22nd February 2026, 11:01 pm

I hope they find gold. If not, the railway will be out of business or turned into a heritage railway.

You are right about the hill. It does look like chocolate. I better sprinkle some toppings on!

Less chocolate


Petermac wrote the mine is situated in a big slab of 'chocolate'. The 'chocolate' has received a topdressing of teddy bear fur, tea leaves, oregano shrubs etc. Trees are still to come.

New hobby?


No, jewellery making is not a new hobby of mine! The beads are for the points controls at the narrow gauge railway.


The picture shows the points controls at Gumnut Gully station. The levers are made from 1mm brass rods inside 2mm brass tubes. The beads are used as indicators with 'G' for Gumnut Gully and 'A', 'B' and 'C' used for the individual points (couldn't find beads with numbers). Fairly easy to install since the points are close to the edge. The points at Wombat Creek and the Big Nugget Mine are further away from the edge and will need more flexible 'rods' and tubes.

 

Claus Ellef said

Less chocolate


Petermac wrote the mine is situated in a big slab of 'chocolate'. The 'chocolate' has received a topdressing of teddy bear fur, tea leaves, oregano shrubs etc. Trees are still to come.

From “Post #293,310”, 16th March 2026, 12:13 am

I'm definitely not eating that !

Petermac said

Claus Ellef said

Less chocolate


Petermac wrote the mine is situated in a big slab of 'chocolate'. The 'chocolate' has received a topdressing of teddy bear fur, tea leaves, oregano shrubs etc. Trees are still to come.

From “Post #293,310”, 16th March 2026, 11:13 am

I'm definitely not eating that !

From “Post #293,324”, 22nd March 2026, 3:28 am

Hi Petermac,
If you ever visit Gumnut Gully, I promise to serve you something far better.

Cheers,
Claus

Put the kettle on - I'm on my way ………………………………….

Petermac said

Put the kettle on - I'm on my way ………………………………….

From “Post #293,332”, 23rd March 2026, 5:22 am

I can do better than just a cup of tea 🍵

A way out

People in their cars (or on foot) will enter Gumnut Gully to the left of the photo and without any room for turning around, the main street could soon be clocked with cars. Fortunately a way out of town has been established to the right of the photo. The rather barren space behind the turntable is reserved for the small Scalescenes weight bridge building. Behind the goods shed is the foundations for the band rotunda.

Wow - we're going to have a band !!

Making the instruments will be fun ……………………

Petermac said

Wow - we're going to have a band !!

Making the instruments will be fun ……………………

From “Post #293,344”, 28th March 2026, 9:37 pm

With the Seekers already playing at the Mug Punter Hotel in Wombat Creek, the people in Gumnut Gully had to look for somebody else. An up-and-coming band from Liverpool is booked for a gig in late May or early June.

Not ready to face the music


The band rotunda is under its way. Still to come are stairs (!), decorative 'bits and pieces' and final painting. Everything should be ready for the first concert late May.

You need to treat that woodwork - you wouldn't want beetles eating it mid-concert …………………….

Petermac said

You need to treat that woodwork - you wouldn't want beetles eating it mid-concert …………………….

From “Post #293,386”, 7th April 2026, 12:10 am

Don't worry. I am very busy with painting, but there will be beatles 

Gumnut Gully Station


The last week or so has seen some upgrades to Gumnut Gully Station. Grass has been 'sown' along track no 3. Between track no 2 and 3 a name board and gravel have been added. A small office (from ScaleScenes) has been erected next to the turntable. Still to come: Ballast, railway staff and passengers.

Rotunda update


While carpenter Ray Knott is busy turning out finials at the lathe in his workshop in Wombat Creek, people from Gumnut Gully are wondering how the roof will get to the top of the rotunda. Getting a crane is pretty difficult due to the poor state of the road into town.

They may have to charter a helicopter. 

D_Will said

They may have to charter a helicopter. 

From “Post #293,481”, 17th April 2026, 2:29 pm

Good idea, Darius. On the other hand, a helicopter could be difficult and expensive to hire in 1963.

Cheers,
Claus