Wombat Creek Tramways

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.

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.

Wombat Creek, November 2021

Adelaide City, April 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

Finally, the Comedy Theatre will open its doors after 19 months of planning 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.