Wombat Creek Tramways

On the last day of the year the employees at the tram shed were busy testing the ‘new’ tram despite the temperature of 39 C. All buildings in Wombat Creek are removable – except one. The petrol station is glued in place. Every consideration was taken placing it years ago, but could a double-decker tram pass? As the photo shows – just!

After a few ‘wobbly’ test runs (how the driver managed to do that without a cab and controllers is a mystery) the tram went back to the workshops. The roof was cut of, and the windows replaced with steel poles made out of ‘extra log quilting pins’. Just before the workers went home for New Year celebrations they put the first coat of brown paint to the upper level.

A while ago Wombat Creek Tramways acquired a double-decker tram from Hobart (read: from the internet). The aim is to put it into service after re-gauging and repainting. Later two tramsand a trailer arrived from the same source. They seem to be of Austrian origin. The manufacturer is unknown and the work quality is rather dubious, but the motors are fine. One of them has a wheelbase which is only 1 or 2 mm to long for the double-decker, so it is doomed as spare parts. Anyway it fell apart trying to get the chassis out! Next step is to cut away the lower floor of the double-decker. The work is still in progress. The result so far is shown of the photo. The floor is still intact but the two ends have come off!

The top floor will need a make-over, too. The Hobart trams were totally open except for a roof. So the side windows and the doors at both ends have to go. The model came without seats, so they have to be manufactured in the workshop. And no, the passengers didn’t loose their legs in an explosion. They were already gone at their arrival.

More than 150 cities and towns around Australia have ‘a big thing’. Coffs Harbour has the big banana; West Ballina the big prawn; Tully the big gumboot; the big pineapple on the Sunshine Coast and the big koala in Cowes to name a few.

Of course Wombat Creek has to join in with the ‘Big Spoon’!

It is temporarily placed in front of the Bank.

Ok, this may not make any sense at the moment, but some time next year it will all fall in place!

On behalf of Alfred Campbell, Mayor of Wombat Creek, Chairman of Wombat Creek Bank and Gold Exchange etc. etc., I wish you all

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Work on the RSL building is progressing. The walls have been rendered and painted, even the finishing isn’t too good. It seems a major part has fallen down! After parking his trusted VW van in front of the Mechanics Institute carpenter Ray Knott has gone inside the building to discuss the issue of window frames with the president of the RSL. The latter is pushing to get the job done, but the approaching holiday period may cause a delay until after New Year.

The next addition to Wombat Creek will be the RSL building (RSL – Returned and Services League of Australia). The building is inspired by the RSL building in Clunes, Victoria. The photo also shows the return of the Mechanics Institute, which has been in storage for a few weeks. The Institute didn’t seem quite right by itself, but the RSL has enhanced the look.

A happy trio are leaving the Hobby shop. Dad is carrying their newest purchase. The Tri-ang train set R4A consists of a Princess Victoria locomotive, two BR coaches, tracks and a battery operated controller.

The Pedal Place appears to be fully stocked inside, but it is a little wonder they haven’t utilised the space in front of the shop to show off their newest bicycles. Maybe later!

The regal is a Metcalfe construction in the background, but still needs a few details added. Instead of ‘cinema’ it now states the name of the musical Wildcat. The posters at the entrance have been replaced with appropriate versions. Some ‘cut-outs’ on the balcony could draw in crowds as well.

The area between the Royal Arcade and Chinatown still creates a challenge. It is quite narrow, so the building will be very low relief. A public bath and a RSL building are both on the drawing board.

From a bird’s eye view Wombat Creek looks like this