Wombat Creek Tramways

After more than six years Wombat Creek has gone from this

to this.

The last track work involved the bridge over the mining railway and the creek. After months of deliberations I have come to the conclusion a gauntlet with the tracks intertwined was not possible. Instead the two tracks a positioned close to each other allowing only one tram at the time to cross the bridge. To avoid a tram crash ( or a car crash) traffic lights have be installed at either end of the bridge. Electronics controls the frequency of the lights but not the running of the trams.

As mentioned the bridge is rather narrow and people crossing the bridge risk being squashed by out-swinging trams. Appropriate warning signs have been installed.

The extension of the Regal Theatre has been finished with only a few minor tasks still to do. The capping of the walls will be done once the neighbouring building has been constructed. The fire escape will run down the wall to the left.

A fellow modeller sent me a challenge: Why don’t I model the Rivoli Cinema?

One Saturday morning I went to have a look before going to the Melbourne Tram Museum housed in the former Hawthorne Tram Depot. Mentioning the Rivoli Cinema being in Hawthorne East I thought it was worth travelling a few more tram stops and have a look. I like the building and the challenging lines and curves.

The build will take some time and effort, so I want to put it somewhere in Wombat Creek with the facade to be admired. At the moment such a space is not vacant, but the ‘Regal’ could be moved from its prominent position at the end of Main Street.

Therefore the Regal Theatre has been relocated from the end of the Main Street to a position opposite the Bank. The theatre is a Metcalfe low-relief kit and has been extended with new walls at the back. There is a slightly colour difference in the bricks. I hope it will not be too obvious with a downpipe running along the joint in the wall. The roof is a bit of a challenge. The original roof has two different pitches (the front is steeper than the sides). At the moment the plan for the roof is partly tiles and partly zinc cladding. I will keep you updated.

The Wombat Creek Tramways has added a new tram to the fleet. The tram has a distinctive European look, but with altering the windows it could resemble the second tram of the ill-fated Doncaster to Box Hill line.

The photo show the progress on the rebuild. A visit to and photos from Melbourne Tram Museum will help me with the details of the roof.

After I have spend quite a while in the Big Nugget Gold Mine, it is time to do something different and get back to the Tramways.

The photo is from just outside the tram shed. In the foreground a Bachmann Brill tram, like the one at the back, has been cut through the middle and one door from each side has been removed. All in an attempt to turn the body into a tram resembling a Melbourne class Y tram like the one below.

A new tram has arrived at Wombat Creek Tramways. It is a former H-class from Vienna. The tram is non-motorised, but comes with space for a small motor. Before entering service, the tram will be modified to resemble a Melbourne U-class.

After almost three months I am pleased the Bellcord, or as it is known by the good people of Wombat Creek ‘the Jazz House’, is finished.

The sign at the top of the building is made from ‘stem wire’ (used by florists), super-glue and some patience. As a template I printed the sign in a appropriate font called ‘Jam Session’ and bent the wire following the outline of the letters. Once glue together, the sign was a little hard to read being green letters on a green ‘scaffolding’. Painted black they stand out a bit better and also tie in with the letters on the balcony.

I have enjoyed building the Bellcord, but I look forward to smaller projects which can be done I far less time.