by Cameron Outridge

The long-awaited Nambour Tram project marked a significant milestone on Monday afternoon (November 18) as two bogies—each comprising four large wheels on two axles and weighing 1.5 tons each—arrived at the Nambour Tram Terminus in Mill Street. The components were unloaded and wheeled into the tram shed along specially installed two-foot gauge rail tracks, bringing a wave of relief to Nambour Tramway Company Chairman Greg Rogerson and his team.

Momentous occasion amidst challenges

“It’s been nearly 13 years in the making,” said an elated Mr Rogerson. “To see the bogies completed, to see them in all their glory, is wonderful.  I hope this will demonstrate to the community that this isn’t a toy that’s going on here. This is going to be the best tram of its kind in the world and it’s going to run in the very heart of Nambour.”

The bogies, costing approximately $35,000 each, were manufactured by Bradken Engineering in Innisfail, Far North Queensland, and transported by Claytons Towing.

The project has faced intense scrutiny and criticism from impatient Nambour residents eager to see tangible progress after delays and scepticism about the tram’s value to the community.

Moving forward with precision

Mr Rogerson was very relieved to see the major tram milestone achieved after what has been a drawn-out process. “Today is an absolutely sensational day,” he said. “Very exciting. Now we’ve got our bogies about to be put onto the lines. All this immense amount of time, all the engineering and design work, all the angst and all the ‘compliance’ with ONRSR (Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator) details and so forth.  To see the bogies completed, to see them in all their glory in the actual flesh, is absolutely tremendous!  I genuinely feel that when the community sees the bogies, it will demonstrate that this isn’t a toy project we’re merely playing with here, this is going to be the best tram of its kind in the world and it will eventually traverse through the very heart of Nambour, for the betterment of businesses and community alike.  It’s just so good to see the bogies here in the Terminus. 

“We’ve got the two brake callipers, supplied by Custom FluidPower, crated to the side and ready to install, and the two Catavolt 12 kW, 48V, AC brushless motors wound and also ready to be installed. The Tram’s chassis and superstructure are nearing completion, as far as engineering and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is concerned, with the help and assistance from LEAP Australia who are the agents for the reputed best FEA software in the world, ‘ANSYS’.”    

Within months, and pending sign off by Covey Associates Mechanical Engineers and Kevin Covey as the overarching RPEQ, all drawings and associated documentation will be sent to TNTCo’s Independent Competent Person (ICP) at ADA Engineering, Melbourne, for the all-important, rail specific endorsement. “It’s back then to the TNTCo Board for our final sign off, prior to the actual construction and manufacturing taking place. So that’ll be the next tremendous occasion. So all’s looking good, and I hope it all goes as smoothly as what it did today.”

Community impact, future plans

Acknowledging significant financial backing—including $1.2million from local philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson, $200k from Rod and Jan Forester and the plethora of smaller donations from businesses and community residents —Mr Rogerson assured that every detail was being handled with the utmost care. 

The tram, designed by acclaimed Witta artist Russell Anderson, aims to offer a unique historical experience with its steampunk-inspired aesthetics, coupled with a power source of approximately 32 kWh of supercapacitors to drive the tram, making it safe and extremely efficient, especially considering the Western Tram Terminus has 32.4 kilowatts of solar panels on the roof. 

Once operational, the Tram will travel from the Nambour Mill Village Shopping Centre to Quota Park, running along Mill and Howard Streets. 

“Once the Tram and Stage 1 have proven themselves, concerted effort will be put in to seek all forms of Government backing for Stage 2 , which will see the tram travel to the Nambour Showgrounds, to provide alternative transport to key events such as the Queensland Garden Expo and Caravan and Camping Expo, to name just two,” said Mr Rogerson.

See the bogies at Christmas TramFest

Residents eager to witness the progress can view the bogies and receive updates at the

TramFest event on Saturday, November 30.  The Western Tram Terminus will be transformed into a lively venue of food, music, and entertainment—all in support of the project.  

TramFest will run from 4pm to 9pm and promises a fresh twist with local talent taking centre stage, including two teenage bands, Sol Amor from Nambour State College and the up-and-coming Wave Raiders, adding youthful energy and vibe. 

Exceptional covers band Bad Habits will close off the night. “So bring the whole family, especially the kids to meet Santa and get a free Christmas gift and have a hoot of a night out,” said Mr Rogerson.