Wombat Creek Tramways

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.

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.

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.

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.

A ‘new’ tram has entered the fleet of Wombat Creek Tramways. The tram is ex-Hobart no. 47, which after re-gauging is ready for service.

The tramways in Hobart were quite unique in Australia. They did not start with horse trams, cable trams or steam trams but went straight into electric trams. Other unique features were bow collectors and double-decker trams. The latter caused some problems. Like the railways in Tasmania the trams ran on narrow gauge, 3ft 8”. With a relative high centre of gravity corners had to be rounded with caution. After a few roll-overs had happened, it was decided to cut down the double-decker trams to single-decker trams. Tram no. 47 is one of the cut-down trams. The advertising is for an Australian tea brand (yes, they did spell flavor without ‘u’) and of course Cadbury Chocolate. The factory is still in Hobart.

The workshop at the Tramways is far too busy and blocks all the roads at the depot.

In road no.1 a Hobart tram is rebuilt and re-gauged to standard gauge.

The yellow chassis in road no. 2 will be a trailer for ballast and coal.

The ex-Vienna tram in road no. 3 will loose a few doors and emerge as a Melbourian U class.

In front of the steam shed a major reconstruction will take place before a Bendigo steam tram enters the heritage fleet.

It is difficult to predict a time frame for the various projects, but the Hobart tram appears to be the first to enter traffic.

With a price-tag of AUS$ 25 each the manager of Wombat Creek Tramways thinks he did a bargain! The staff at the workshop will be busy for weeks to come building new trams.

Wombat Creek Tramways has received a new vehicle. This time it is a trailer for the ‘odd’ Danish tram KS 437.

KS 437 (Kjøbenhavns Sporveie = Copenhagen Tramways) was built in 1918 for the tramways in Copenhagen. The tram was withdrawn from traffic in 1965 and donated to the Danish Tram Museum at Skjoldenæsholm. The trailer is not quite right. In fact it is the same model as the tram itself with the trolley pole removed and extra window sills. Once the route numbers and destination box are removed from the roof, only the number will reveal its origin.

And you may ask, what is a Danish tram doing in Australian Wombat Creek? Well, a Melbourian W class are running at the tram museum in Denmark, so why not? Or is it a matter of nostalgia?