The year is 1963 somewhere in Victoria, Australia

The story about the 'royal' is part of one of my guided tours at the Melbourne Tram Museum. It shows the tram technology is pretty much the same all over the world. It is interesting you can ship a W class tram from Melbourne to Denmark, put it on the tracks (same standard gauge), raise the trolley pole and off you go. No modifications required. And you are right - King Frederik and Queen Mary don't really need a tram!

Cheers,
Claus

WCsT


Current and former employees of Wombat Creek Tramways have formed a group called Wombat Creek steam Trams, WCsT. The purpose is to re-introduce steam trams to Victoria and Wombat Creek. Unlike New South Wales steam trams were rare in Victoria. Only Bendigo and Sorrento operated steam trams. Unfortunate no original steam trams have be preserved. Instead the group will convert foreign trams into Victorian 'look-alikes'. The board of Wombat Creek Tramways supports the efforts and generously allowed WCsT access to the small shed, which will served as a workshop.

In reality the workshop looks like this:


From left to right is an electric tram (belongs to the Tramways) of unknown brand. The tram will be rebuilt as a Melbourne U class. The yellow chassis belongs to WCsT and will be used for transport of coal. The boiler and green body are from an Atlas model of steam tram from Bern, Switzerland. After a thorough reconstruction the model will re-appear as an example of a steam tram from Bendigo. The 3D printed model to the right is based on a narrow gauge Baldwin 0-4-0 locomotive used by the Sorrento Tramways. However, this version has been re-gauged to standard gauge.

Looks interesting Claus  




Ed

Spiro's Milk Bar


Like so many of his Greek compatriots Spiro Papadopoulos wants to run a milk bar. With a short supply of vacant shops Spiro decided to purchase and convert an old tram into a state of art milk bar. To save money Spiro wants to do up the tram himself. So far the tram is place opposite the fire station and and Spiro has begun painting the outside. The date for the grand opening is so far unknown.

Not much to report


With the entire staff of Wombat Creek Tramways down with a terrible cold and later off on holidays not much work was down around trams. Some progress was made on the electric U class and the 'Baldwin' steam tram. The only finished project is the 'new' sign for WCsT, Wombat Creek Steam Trams. As seen on the photo, new is in ' ' as the sign has already coped with a lot of smoke.

I like the track inlay Claus - excellent stone setts.  What are they ?
 

I like the setts and the shed.

Petermac said

I like the track inlay Claus - excellent stone setts.  What are they ?

From “Post #290,569”, 12th October 2024, 1:04 pm

The cobblestones were done more than five years ago. They are embossed paper probably from Faller. They do look nice.

Tram Trailer


The tramways in Melbourne had a few trailers for transporting ballast. They were build from former tram trucks. All trailers have been scrapped except one, which has been transferred to WCsT (Wombat Creek steam Trams). Instead of ballast coal will be loaded onto the trailer. WCsT will procure coal from the mining railway. The only problem is how to transfer the coal between the two organisations. With the steam trams still under construction WCsT has borrowed the freight tram to haul or propel the trailer. As a warning the trailer is painted with green and yellow stripes.

Planting trees

The layout of Wombat Creek are made up of three sections and can be dismantled in case it has to be moved (which will happen in a couple of months!). Two of the sections are bolted together as seen on this photo



How do you camouflage the bolts without permanently blocking access? You plant a couple of trees on top!


Spiro is making slow progress on his future milk bar. The old tram body has been painted and a few windows have been boarded up. Di Marcio has relocated his ice cream van. The business is still going great.

Just being nosey, where's it moving to Claus?


Ed

Ed said

Just being nosey, where's it moving to Claus?


Ed

From “Post #290,587”, 31st October 2024, 2:05 pm

Wombat Creek will relocate to Phillip Island at the end of the year. After 43 years as a teacher I am about to retire :thumbs:

Looking good Claus. Have a long and happy retirement. Our youngest son has studied hard and is now a teacher at a very nice school. A long way from retirement though.

By the way. Hardly any activity on here lately. Let's hope things start picking up soon.

Best wishes for your retirement Claus  


Ed

The milk bar is open





Spiro has made good progress on the milk bar. It is now open for business and the first customers are trying out the different shakes. Spiro himself is at the counter whilst his wife is working in the kitchen. Still, Spiro needs to cover a few holes in the roof and perhaps erect a sign to attract even more customers.

Last dash



With only a few weeks to go before Wombat Creek will be packed up in boxes and put into a van destined for the layout's new home, work on the Comedy Theatre has commenced. The first photo show a cut-out print of the Rivoli Cinema, which will be turned into the Comedy Theatre in Wombat Creek. A 'smaller issue' with the model is condensing the length to 200 mm instead of 400 mm whilst keeping the correct height. Forced perspective in action, I suppose. The second photo shows the walls of the ground floor in place. I think it will work out okay.

Race against the clock


With less than a week before Wombat Creek goes into boxes ready for a big relocation the ground floor of the Comedy Theatre is taking shape. Further construction is still planned during the relocation period.

Wombat Creek on the move

From this:



To this:


 and this:

Gosh, when's the move Claus?


Ed

Ed said

Gosh, when's the move Claus?


Ed

From “Post #290,678”, 2nd December 2024, 11:43 am

Hi Ed,

The move will be Sunday this week. However, I don't know when Wombat Creek will be up and running again.