The year is 1963 somewhere in Victoria, Australia

Looking good 

Away from the dining table


After a recent visit to IKEA I now have a dedicated desk for my works on Wombat Creek. Can't wait to get started. The Comedy Theatre needs to be finished.

Yeah, a workspace rather than the dining room table does make a difference (guess how I know) 


 

Another building finished


Finally, the Comedy Theatre will open its doors after 19 months of planning (see post 288560) and construction.

On stage is the comedy 'Goodnight Mrs. Puffin'. I don't know much about the play, but it was staged at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne in 1963. Perhaps the ensemble are doing a few nights is Wombat Creek, too.

Baldwin steam tram


Wombat Creek steam Trams have their first unit restored. The tram (locomotive) is loosely based on a similar Baldwin tram from the Sorrento Tramways. The model is a 3D print. Even without additional weight it is a good (and very fast) runner. With an 'overhanging' cab the performance is better running 'cab first'. The only other rolling stock at the steam trams is the trailer seen in the photo. Originally built for transporting ballast the steam trams use the trailer for transporting coal.

Three passenger trailers are under their way in the post. After assembling and painting they will form the backbone of the Wombat Creek steam Trams public activities. Also in workshop (read 'on the work desk') is a former Bendigo steam motor.

Testing second steam tram


The guys working at Wombat Creek steam Trams have a great time. Their second steam tram, an ex-Bendigo steam motor, was fired up for the first time and had a test run along the tram line near the steam shed. Everything seems to work just fine and work will progress as planned. Next step will be enclosing the boiler with side windows and a roof.

Might end up looking a bit like a Y6 Claus 

LNER Encyclopedia: The Y6 (GER G15) 0-4-0 Tram Engines

Ed said

Might end up looking a bit like a Y6 Claus 

LNER Encyclopedia: The Y6 (GER G15) 0-4-0 Tram Engines

From “Post #291,949”, 3rd April 2025, 8:46 am

Thank you Ed. Interesting article indeed. I didn't know the story behind the tram from Thomas the Tank. However,  the Wombat Creek version is quite different.


Cheers,
Claus

Trailers under construction


My Ebay contact has designed and 3D printed trailers for the Baldwin steam tram. They are very similar to the trailers used at the long gone Sorrento Tramways at Mornington Peninsula. The trailers are printed as a kit to be assembled, which makes painting quite easy. So far I have finished the chassis and the floors.

Second steam tram operational

It took the volunteers at Wombat Creek steam Trams just over three years to go from this:



to this:



The steam motor is running pretty well on its own. Still to be tested with the rather heavy die cast trailer, which may need modification negotiating sharper curves.

Real world copies model world - or vice versa

Wombat Creek, November 2021



Adelaide City, April 2025

Happy Days


The chief engineer at Wombat Creek Tramways received 7 'new' trams today. They are imported from Britain (read 'from Canberra') for a very good price ($160 including freight!). They are all in working order, but they will probably be used as spare parts for more appropriate Australian trams. The double-decker to the front right could be turned into an ex-Hobart double-decker with enclosed ends. The motors from the two identical double-deckers at the back could be used under W classes from Melbourne.

The ex-Sorrento Tram Taking Passengers


The trailers for the Baldwin tram are almost finished. Judging from old black and white photos (the tramway at Sorrento closed after Easter 1921) the bulkheads appear to be filled in with thin sheets of metal. They are difficult to do in 3D printing. Instead of trying to fill them in with thin plastic sheets I have decided the trailers will get some rolled-up blinds.

The original trailers were painted in different colours like bright red,dark red, green yellow, brown and black/dark green. I have opted for just one colour (green). I think different colours would have made the tram into an toy train from an amusement park. Instead of the colours telling the trailers apart I have numbered them 1-3.

Looking at the old photos it appears the gold lining disappeared over time. It is also unknown if the stanchions were brass (probably not, but it looks good!)

More information about the Sorrento tramways from Melbourne Tram Museum.

Not so glamorous work

We all tend to show photos of the trains, trams, track work buildings and landscape, but we must not forget the work going on beneath the surface.


A small cabinet has been installed at Wombat Creek. The cabinet houses batteries for traffic lights (12 V), street lights (9 V) and interior lights (4.5 V).

Any reason why batteries and not mains powered dc power supply Claus
 

Ed said

Any reason why batteries and not mains powered dc power supply Claus
 

From “Post #292,251”, 17th June 2025, 11:11 am

Well!

The electronics for the traffic lights needs 'straight' 12 V DC. Rectified AC can't be used. The interior lights are LEDs from a cheap string of 'Fairy lights' from the hardware store. They come with a battery case with the necessary electronics (they can even slowly pulse). Finally the street lights are 9V, which in fact is a bit too much. Only the traffic lights will be used at running sessions. The other lights only to impress visitors. So batteries are the easiest solution.

An exploder !!  Love that - are we going to see sparks ?  

Petermac said

An exploder !!  Love that - are we going to see sparks ?  

From “Post #292,257”, 21st June 2025, 10:04 am

Not sure about sparks!

Something has to be done


Either the lampposts weren't designed for double-decker trams or double-decker trams should not be allowed into Victoria Street. A solution has to be found!