Long-awaited tram project eyes 2025 arrival
Artist Russell Anderson’s “steampunk” Nambour tram design has divided opinion.
by Janine Hill
Greg Rogerson: “I do think around July 2025 is fairly feasible.”
THE much-anticipated Nambour ‘Tram’ will arrive a little late at its first stop.
TramCo chair Greg “Rogo” Rogerson said it could take up to six months longer than first thought, or even a little more, to deliver a fully operational tram.
“The original Gantt chart we compiled when we eventually knew all the design, engineering and compliance issues, had delivery at the end of 2024,” he said.
“In reality, I don’t think it will be this early but I do think around July 2025 is fairly feasible.”
Tramco has had to gingerly feel its way with construction of the tram, which has been specifically designed to run on the two-foot gauge, heritage listed, cane train tracks.
Greg said TramCo was in discussion with Bradken Engineering, Innisfail, to nail down a price for the bogeys now that the final drawings and engineering for the tram bogeys had been signed off by Covey Associates Engineering and their Independent Competent Person, ADA Engineering, Melbourne.
He said creator Russell Anderson, who had come up with the extraordinary tram design, had been instructed to collect present day costings on the laser cut, 25mm thick plate steel and associated parts needed for the bogey build.
Greg revealed further details of how the tram would be built, saying it would run on two, four-wheeled bogeys, one at either end, each driven by a 48 volt AC brushless motor, driving through SEW transmissions which will provide power to the front pair of bogey wheels.
The super capacitor-powered, electric tram would rely heavily on regenerative braking, but would also run a six pot/piston disc brake, with a single disc mounted on the “lazy”, unpowered axles.
Four of the pistons will be hydraulically actuated, with two pistons being electrically actuated to act as a parking brake. On top of all the above-mentioned braking, the armatures of both electric drive motors will also provide an additional mechanical brake.
Greg said the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator required the tram to have excellent braking and above all, be extremely safe.
“If we’re running up and down the street and someone steps out in front of the tram, or a vehicle swerves and stops on the tracks, we need to be able to stop incredibly quickly and safely, which wasn’t necessarily the case in the old Moreton Central Sugar Mill days where the locos were diesel and even steam powered, and they had to contend with the inertia of over 100 metres of heavily loaded cane bins linked behind,” he said.
Greg said the project was running to budget but he said it was likely more funding would be needed in the future as costs of materials and manufacture had risen incredibly.
“I would be naive if I didn’t flag we were going to need more down the track. I always say that the Good Lord will provide. At the right time, things just seem to happen,” he said.
Tramfest boosts coffers
Tramco has staged TramFest events to help boost the coffers. The last one for the year, which Greg described as a Christmas thank-you to the Nambour and hinterland community which has stuck by the tram project, was held on December 9, bringing music, market stalls and food trucks to Mill Street and the tram terminus.
“We got a lot of support and I’m extremely happy that we’re giving back to the community that’s supported us,” Greg said.
The main event was Powderfinger drummer and former Nambour High student Jon Coghill with swamp bluesman 8 Ball Aitken.
Greg thanked: Clayton’s Towing, ASV audio visual, Sunshine Coast Council, Nambour Chamber of Commerce, Terry Kerr Dingo Hire, Marr’s Electrical, Wren Souvenirs, the Sunshine Valley Gazette, Wilenco, Southern Cross Sheds and all the bands and performers who made the night a huge success.