The year is 1963 somewhere in Victoria, Australia

Claus Ellef said

 

Claus Ellef said

Leaky's Plumbing Service

My third project during my stay-at-home holidays dealt – like the horse stables – with an odd shaped area. This time it is next to the ‘Mug Punter Hotel’. I often search the internet for images I can use as inspiration for future buildings. I came across a few photos of a South Australian blacksmith shop advertising horseshoeing. They gave me the idea to construct this small building. Due to the size of the spot the proportions of the building is much smaller the original, but the features are pretty much right.

  The corrugated iron cladding is vertical on the front and back, but horizontal on the sides. One of out-buildings to the side is with stonewalls re-enforced with steel beams. The very vigorous plant near the front is also found at the original building. I haven’t worked out how to write/paint ‘Blacksmith’ and ‘Horseshoeing’ on the corrugated front, so I may end up with a sign above the door. Another challenge is the interior. The building was design to have the front towards the street and you wouldn’t be able to see inside, but it works better being turned 90 degrees.

  The fence looks a bit worn down, but what else would you expect after the business was taken over by ‘Oscar Leaky’s Plumbing Service’! Oscar is so slack he hasn’t bothered to put up his business sign. To be true the signage is delayed because of COVID-19. I get my signs etc. printed at Officeworks on high-quality paper, but I don’t think a trip to Officeworks will qualify as ‘essential travel’.

From “Post #249,380”, 13th April 2020, 3:53 am

Six years ago I published an image of Oscar Leaky's Plumbing with a caption of a sign coming soon. Well, the sign writer took a long time to finish the job. In the meantime the business has been taken over by Oscar's son Max (The truth is, I forgot I had named the owner Oscar).

Worth the wait  

Signals for the signal box



After years of standing obsolete the signal box has commenced operating. Two red/green signals have been erected. Their purpose is to guard against collisions between trams on the Bride Road line and trams coming from the Explosives Factory.

The signals are linked to the chosen direction of the Explosives line. If a tram runs towards the Factory, the signal next to the signal box will be 'red' and the signal in Bridge Road will be 'green'. A tram leaving the Factory will reverse the signals.

The signal in Bridge Road only applies to trams. A sign will be put up, telling ordinary road users to ignore the signal.

Nice.

Are the signals automatic or does the operator have to remember who's going where ?

Love the fencing on Leaky's yard.  

Petermac said

Nice.

Are the signals automatic or does the operator have to remember who's going where ?

Love the fencing on Leaky's yard.  

From “Post #293,535”, 19th May 2026, 1:46 am

The signals are semi-automatic. If the track current is set for a tram leaving the Explosives Factory, the signal next to the signal box will be green and the signal next tp the train stop will be red. However, the operator has to remember to reverse the signals once the tram has left the siding.

Busy day at the tramways



With the heritage steam tram out on a 'special' the intersection at the Bank gets quite busy.

You need some traffic lights - or a policeman directing trams …………………….

Petermac said

You need some traffic lights - or a policeman directing trams …………………….

From “Post #293,574”, 10th June 2026, 7:23 am

I have considered building a Marshalite Traffic Control Signal: https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/408344.
 

Hmm - an interesting signal Claus.

What did make me smile was all the "woke" pre-amble explaining that the museum was environmentally conscious etc. etc.  It does seem Australia is going overboard on saying sorry for everything in their history.

I'd like to add my own apology now for encouraging Eve to eat that apple.  If I knew her descendants, I'd pay them compensation ………………………………

What is the matter with the world today ????

You're right, Peter. The drivel that drives you nuts. 

Winter in Wombat Creek


It is spring time in Wombat Creek. During winter the town was covered under a blanket of sheets! Once again, I escaped the Australian winter. Insteda I enjoyed the Danish (+ the Swedish and Polish) summer with a record 37 degrees.

Model railways and tramways were limited to a few bargains. Wall lamps from Ebay. Miners and BBQ people from a Danish store (around half price compared to Austalian prices). Narrow gauge steam locomotive and carriges (not needed, but at a very good price). Four Australian 1960s telephone boxes 3D printed by a good friend.

Instead of model railways I embarked on Interrail train journeys in Sweden and Poland. The time in Poland included a visit to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Sochaczew. Not many signs in Polish and even fewer in English! Enjoy the photos and the video, showing how to shunt a locomotive without releasing the brakes!

Nice pictures Claus, do you know what the car was for
 

Ed said

Nice pictures Claus, do you know what the car was for

From “Post #293,663”, 9th September 2026, 2:27 am

Thank you, Ed.

With no signs, I will guess the car has been used for track inspections. It is a bit odd a standard gauge vehicle is in a narrow gauge railway mueum. Also, the car still has a steering wheel!

Garden update

We are in September 2026 and it is time for an update from the two family homes in Wombat Creek.


Nothing has happened in the garden around the blue house. Margaret is still enjoying the hammock and her kids are playing around the cubby house.



It's another story with the green house. The family has been busy in the vegetable garden, which is now full of strawberries, rhubarb and very tall beans.



A second tree provides shade for the son and daughter, Mum is still hanging up the washing. Dad is busy at the BBQ. Perhaps he should keep an eye on the dog helping itself to sausages.

Looks like a nice place to live. Great work with all the little details like the clothes hoist etc.

peterm said

Looks like a nice place to live. Great work with all the little details like the clothes hoist etc.

From “Post #293,683”, 17th September 2026, 8:28 am

Hi Peter
Wombat Creek is indeed a nice place. If you want to visit, just let me know.

I love the detailed scenes! These are one of my favourite things to look for 

D_Will said

I love the detailed scenes! These are one of my favourite things to look for 

From “Post #293,685”, 17th September 2026, 12:03 pm

Thank you, Darius