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About the Boulder Creek Tramway

Track and formation:
The formation and track for the upper section from the reversing wye to the top reversing loop has now been completed. The grade from the the reversing wye to the points leading into the workshop is almost constant around 1 in 40 before climbing at 1 in 30 all the way to the points leading into the top reversing loop. This is sure to provide some challenging driving as locos work their way up the embankment. The grade eases again as the track divides at the entrance to the top reversing loop and levels out as the bridge is crossed before climbing slightly again to the top loop siding and station area. The bridge abutments have been formed by placing large boulders deep in the ground before back filling to create the formation. A huge thanks to Leigh Shadbolt for the earthmoving and formation work.

Track construction:
The track is being constructed using 32mm x 10mm steel flat bar welded to 20mm x 5mm ties which are then screwed to treated pine sleepers at 250mm centres. Click here for a video of us building track. Minimum track radius is set at 14 metres and the maximum gradient is 1 in 30. The track sections are built on the work bench in 6 metre lengths having one rail welded to the ties and screwed to the sleepers before being positioned in place. Once the correct alignment has been formed the second rail is welded to the ties using track gauges to hold the second rail in gauge permanently securing the track in position. Ballast is then laid between the sleepers to complete the job. At this stage, approximately 650 metres of track has been laid including 14 sets of points.

Boulder Creek and the bridge:
The name "Boulder Creek Tramway" suggests that it is located in the vicinity of "Boulder Creek". Unfortunately there is no such creek in the area so a dry creek bed has been formed using various boulders and rocks from around the property. This is where the idea for the name "Boulder Creek" originated. Native plants and ferns have been planted in and around the creek bed to make it look like a real creek bed, albeit a dry one.

The bridge crossing Boulder Creek has been built on site using RHS for construction. Total length of the bridge is 7.2 metres and at the highest point is around 1.75 metres above the creek bed.

The Tunnel:
A tunnel is a great feature to have on any railway, but the additional engineering problems, extra work, and the expense, we could have done without. The track would have followed an alternative route had there been one that didn't require the construction of a tunnel, however there was no other choice due to the already steep grades. The tunnel structure had to be strong enough to support vehicles as well due to there being a driveway over the top of it. Several options were researched for construction of the tunnel including steel pipe, concrete pipe, recycled plastic pipe, recycled bricks, timber, and even rolled corrugated iron but to form the 22 metre long tunnel, the steel pipe was the cheapest option that was considered strong enough for the job.

To add to the engineering problems, the tunnel had to be curved along it's 22 metre length, and the way we achieved this was to create a huge lobster back bend by cutting a tapered section out of the pipe almost all the way around it's circumference at 2.25 metre intervals. Once this was done the pipe had the gaps closed up by winching the ends of the pipe together before being welded to form the lobster back bend.

The two 11 metre long sections were then be lowered into the cutting and welded together before being filled in.

Future Plans:
Construction work so far has been on the section from the reversing wye to the top reversing loop. Now that this is completed, work on the bottom section of the railway has commenced. It is planned that the bottom section will have grades not exceeding 1 in 40 and will feature an 18 metre long trestle bridge. This is of timber and steel construction using steel trestles and treated pine for bearers. A loco shed for the storage of locos and rolling stock in the form of a shipping container is now in position and is awaiting completion of the turntable before it can be put to use.

Contributors:
As a small unofficial club, "Boulder Creek Tramway" relies on donations and contributions to assist in the on going development of the railway. In appreciation of all contributions, a list of people and businesses that have provided assistance is located on our home page.

Updates:
If you would like to be informed of updates and scheduled events then please let us know via the contact page and you can be added to our mailing list.

Created by deeja Mar 2009