The year is 1963 somewhere in Victoria, Australia

Like the lights Claus  


You've probably told us before, but what's the overall size of the layout?


Ed

Ed said

Like the lights Claus  


You've probably told us before, but what's the overall size of the layout?


Ed

From “Post #288,762”, 27th September 2023, 8:04 AM

Hi Ed,

The layout is a L-shape approx. 2400 mm x 2100 mm

That's about 7' 10" x 6' 10" in old money, it's bigger than I imagined from the pictures.

Looks really good.



Ed

Mechanics Institute resurrected

A proper country town in Victoria will have a 'Mechanics Institute' and Wombat Creek is no difference.



A 2021 visit to Lancefield provided me with the front of a very low-relief Institute (it is less 10 mm thick). Unfortunately it didn't look quite right next to the RSL building. Too massive and dominating, but it had to do until something better turned up.



I recently visited Creswick and came across the Victoria Institute. Quite difficult to photograph with the sun right behind the building but worth a try.



Back home the image went through Photoshop. With the colours brightened and the windows cleared a mock-up replaced the old Institute.



Not quite right. It is more a free-standing building than in a row of houses. I liked the windows, though.



Back to the old Mechanics Institute. This time with the windows cut out and glazed, which has 'lighted' the building. I am in fact quite satisfied with the outcome. Only issue is the missing 'urns' at the top of the wall. Not sure how I replicate them.

Control panel


The control panel for the Tramways is almost finished. All switches are installed but some are not connected.


The black sliding switches are for sections between tram stops. They are normally on and only used for emergency stops.


The black push buttons are at tram stops. They are normally off.


The red push buttons control the points. Some are still to be wired.


The toggle switches will control traffic lights (currently not working due to a short circuit!), street lights and interior lights. At the moment two are spare.

If I'm reading this right Claus, the trams automatically stop at the tram stops, until you push the black push button ?


Ed

Ed said

If I'm reading this right Claus, the trams automatically stop at the tram stops, until you push the black push button ?


Ed

From “Post #288,867”, 26th October 2023, 9:03 AM

You are right. The tram tracks are under a constant voltage. Between the stops the trams run without interference from me. I control the departures from the stops. So far  I can manage four trams at the same time. I might install an 'emergency' push button (constantly on) at the traffic light in front of the planned police station.

Cheers,
Claus

Sounds a bit hectic, but well done.

 



Ed

Ed said

Sounds a bit hectic, but well done.

 



Ed

From “Post #288,869”, 26th October 2023, 10:22 AM

Just a bit hectic. Occasionally I have to stop a tram between stops to avoid a collision.

Cheers,
Claus

Spheres instead of urns


During a recent visit to Melbourne I spotted a building adorned by spheres, so why not in Wombat Creek?

I have to say you're a genius at scratch building to order Claus.  That extension to the Regal Cinema is excellent and, once the drain pipe is in place over the join, I'm sure the slight colour change won't be noticed at all.

Looking at Day 1 vs today, you've done a huge amount of work, especially when one considers the highly complex buildings you've done.  Most would be happy to have come that far even with Metcalfe buildings - Scalescenes may have required an extra year or two !!!

You mentioned Redutex, or rather Jeff did - it does look ean excellent product but as you say, it's expensive.  I considered it for some of my buildings until I saw the cost (in UK).  Such a pity because it does appear to be good stuff - maybe it's expensive to make or, because it is good, the manufacturers (in Spain I believe) think they can make a killing.  Perhaps great for architects who just pass on whatever costs to the client.

Looking forward to seeing the trams running full circuit.

Petermac said

I have to say you're a genius at scratch building to order Claus.  That extension to the Regal Cinema is excellent and, once the drain pipe is in place over the join, I'm sure the slight colour change won't be noticed at all.

Looking at Day 1 vs today, you've done a huge amount of work, especially when one considers the highly complex buildings you've done.  Most would be happy to have come that far even with Metcalfe buildings - Scalescenes may have required an extra year or two !!!

You mentioned Redutex, or rather Jeff did - it does look ean excellent product but as you say, it's expensive.  I considered it for some of my buildings until I saw the cost (in UK).  Such a pity because it does appear to be good stuff - maybe it's expensive to make or, because it is good, the manufacturers (in Spain I believe) think they can make a killing.  Perhaps great for architects who just pass on whatever costs to the client.

Looking forward to seeing the trams running full circuit.

From “Post #288,905”, 5th November 2023, 12:19 PM

Hi Petermac,
Thank you for your kind words.
I do enjoy the construction of new buildings. In fact so much, I have had a new tram in the 'workshop' far too long.
Cheers,
Claus

First class work with those buildings, Claus. Looking forward to seeing the tram.

Christmas is coming to Wombat Creek

Where's  


 



Ed

Brilliant - love it !

Are the track and trams "real"or CG ?  Somehow, they look superimposed……………

Petermac said

Brilliant - love it !

Are the track and trams "real"or CG ?  Somehow, they look superimposed……………

From “Post #289,148”, 2nd December 2023, 10:59 AM

Hi Peter,

The trams are real and ready to go.
 

Ed said

Where's  


 



Ed

From “Post #289,145”, 2nd December 2023, 8:48 AM

Well I could stand in myself, I guess 

 

New tram shelter


At work I recently had an introduction to 3D printing. I thought it would be a good idea to print something useful for Wombat Creek Tramways. At thingiverse.com I came across a small shelter for a tram stop, so why not give it a go. Its architecture would fit in nicely with other shelters in Wombat Creek. Little did I know the model is a copy of a shelter from Fruens Bøge, Odense, not far from where I grow up in Denmark. The tramways closed before I was born, but the little shelter still exists at the tramway museum at Skjoldenæsholm.

The slightly out of focus photo shows the shelter before being painted. As seen it will take some of the future garden space at the terraced houses above the mine.

That looks good  



Ed