Thread: 1890 Melbourne Tram

Hi All,

Spending a bit more time in the shed now.
I have added cladding to the side of the tram and started on my colour scheme.
Pretty happy how it's coming together.

Regards

Keith

20.jpg

Looking the part now it is surprising what a coat of paint can do to a model. Enjoying your craftsmanship as always

Is looking very good by some one who knows what they are doing.

Hi All,

A bit more work done on my tram.

Had to workout how to make the curved front panel of the tram.

I made up a fixture out of pine to the correct curvature. I cut a piece of PVC flat sheet to the size I wanted and drilled and nailed it to the fixture.
I then used a hot air gun and evenly heated the PVC so it sagged onto my curved fixture. The nailed along the top and bottom so the PVC kept the correct shape. Cooled it under running water.

21.jpg 22.jpg 23.jpg 24.jpg

I then purchased 2 torches from a $2 shop and removed the front lens assemblies. With a bit of adaptation these have become my lights for the ends of my tram.

Pretty happy how it's coming along.

25.jpg


Regards

Keith

Looking good.

Now it’s coming together Keith and looking good, cheers Peter

Great job on curving the panel just goes to show that there is always a way around problems. Does the torch backs stick out much behind the panels

Hi Derek,

Only used the lens assembly. Araldited in position.

I have incorporated this into the operator control cabinet for the operator. Will get a photo for you. Protrudes through the back about 35mm.

Regards

Keith

Hi All,

Was not happy with the windows at each end of the tram. They were just not correct !!!
I cut the existing windows out with my jig saw (It was a bit tricky and awkward seeing that the sides and ends were previously joint together). I was surprised they came out well. Had to cut through some noggins I had put in place. I then made up new supports for the windows. I then made up the longer windows and glued them in position. They have come up OK.
The roof contour was done by gluing pieces of pine together. I had the correct shapes on some of the pieces I glued together so I could use them as a reference when sanding to the correct shape. I used my random orbital sander to get most of the excess timber off and then sanded the rest by hand. I have used "Colourbond Ironstone" as my colour for the roof. I have also inserted glass into the sliding Entry / Exit doors. Pretty happy how this is coming together. Haven't started on the interior yet.

Regards

Keith

27.jpg Window cutout 26.jpg Preparing the roof ends

28.jpg Progress on tram

Is looking great, window made bigger looks right, will be pleased you did it.

I had to go back to see the old window and have to agree it does look a lot better. Roof coming along nicely lots of work getting the curves just right but well worth the effort top job

Looks like it’ll be soon ready for passengers Keith
Cheers Peter

Hi All,

I have been working on the top roof section of the tram. Trialed some different techniques on this section.

The old photos I have of the 1890 tram show that there are highlight windows. These are a coloured glass.
I had some 3mm thick clear PVC sheet from previous locomotive projects. I gave one side 3 coats of red acrylic. When I took the protective plastic off the other side - it appears as though it is shiny glass.

29.jpg Painted side 30.jpg Shiny side

The roof section was formed in a similar way as the main roof (see a previous post) using pine. I wanted to add a texture appearance to the top of the roof. I tried forming MDF to the shape but it looked very ordinary. I then decided to try 40 grit sandpaper. I glued this to my formed roof using quickset PVA glue. It came up really good. The joins I sanded with more 40 grit paper and you have to look hard to see the joins. I then painted the sandpaper with 2 coats of "Colourbond Ironstone" acrylic. It has added another method of getting a realistic look. Very happy.

Here is a photo of the tram with the top roof and highlight windows.

31.jpg

All the Best

Regards

Keith

Detailing and detailing!
Looking very realistic Keith.
Cheers Peter