TORONTO COFFEE POT TRAMWAY AND MUSEUM SOCIETY (TCPTMS)


PROJECT SCOPE






Contents

1 The Society
2 Our Vision
3 Resources
4 Project Scope
5 Description of Fassifern to Toronto Line
6 Assessment of Bridges.
7 Ruling Grade.



TORONTO COFFEE POT TRAMWAY AND MUSEUM SOCIETY (TCPTMS)

Project Scope (as at 2001)

1 The Society
The Toronto Coffee Pot Tramway and Museum Society which was Incorporated in 1996, intends to recreate an operational replica of the steam tram known as "The Coffee Pot" which ran between Toronto and Fassifern in the early 1900's.

2 The Vision
To provide the people of Lake Macquarie with a "living history" of their unique transport link with the main Northern Railway of New South Wales by recreating a heritage tourist tramway of world standard that will attract visitors from many regions of Australia and overseas.

3 Resources
(a) A well researched and documented history of this unique tramway which is practical to recreate.
(b) An existing permanent-way and infrastructure requiring little upgrading to accommodate the light axle loading and slow speed of the proposed Tramway.
(c) A Federation Community Grant of $51,000-00, enabling a secure start for the Project. The extended agreement required approvals by 31st March 2002.
(d) Federal Member Mrs. Kelly Hoare and State Member Mr Jeff Hunter (Patron of TCPTMS) both give this project their utmost support.
(e) Extensive local government, community, commercial and industrial support eg. Lake Macquarie City Council and the Toronto Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
(f) The TCPTMS members are all volunteers, selected on the basis of their skills and their ability to work as a team.
(g) Work for the Dole groups have already been employed. Further opportunities will be available for these groups to gain experience in construction, maintenance, administration and operation.
(h) The TCPTMS has at this stage acquired-
a chassis, materials, wheels, axles and transmision for the construction of the self-propelled carriage,
a chassis, boiler and steam engine for the steam - tram loco,
sufficient steel framing for the construction of the Fassifern Depot.

4 Scope of Operation

Stage 1

(a) Fassifern Depot
The proposed depot shed 24m long, 9m wide and 6m high is to be built off the existing old Toronto platform at Fassifern. Steel frames for the depot shed have been acquired, the roof and walls will be clad in colour-bond steel sheeting similar in colour to the existing structure. The existing platform area will be used for offices, stores, meal -room, kiosk etc. with further storage available under the platform which will be closed in and secured. The new structure will cover both existing lines at Fassifern and will be used to assemble, maintain and repair tramway rolling stock.
Water and electricity services are available for this site.

(b) Track Upgrading
In conjunction with the building of the Fassifern depot, track upgrading will carried out in accordance with the Maintenance Agreement for RIC Facilities. This work will not commence until all track maintenance staff are fully trained in the required rail/track repair and maintenance procedures including safety requirements.
It is anticipated that track and bridge upgrading will take at least twelve months to complete and no further fencing will be required during this period.
Required fencing will be erected prior to Tramway operations commencing.

(c) Self- Propelled Carriage
The Toronto Coffee Pot Tramway and Museum Society intends to first construct and operate a heritage open style self-propelled diesel tram carriage. Running six return trips each day from Fassifern to Toronto during daylight hours, on week-ends, school and public holidays.
This tram will be fabricated from truck components and will be approximately 8m long, 2.4m wide with an axle loading of 4 tonnes. Seating up to 40 people and traveling at no more than 15 kph the 4km trip will take aprox. 20 minutes to complete. Crew for this tram-car will consist of Driver and Conductor and will be cheaper, simpler and quick to construct operate and provide an excellent revenue base for the TCPTMS.
Run-arounds will not be required at Fassifern and Toronto for this tram as it will be a single unit, operated from a driver's position at each end with good visibility in all directions.
Low level platforms 8m long and 600mm high will be constructed at Fassifern and Toronto ends.

Stage2

Coffee Pot Tram-Loco
Within two years of the self-propelled carriage going into service the "Coffee Pot" will be ready for service. This is a close replica of the original "Coffee Pot" (circa 1898) aprox. 5m long, 2.4 m wide and 3.5m high with axle loading of 6 tonnes.
A twin simple steam engine (5 by 9 inch. bore and stroke) with steam supplied at 100psi from a Galloway vertical type boiler through 3 to 1 reduction will propel this tram-loco pulling the self-propelled carriage as a trailer passenger car at up to 15kph.
A boiler, steam engine and chassis with wheels, axles etc. have been acquired by TCPTMS and are stored off site ready for modification.
The steam-tram loco chassis and body frames will be built of steel, cladding will be weather-board style material, with a curved roof of corrugated iron similar to the original.
Crew for the "Coffee Pot" steam loco will consist of qualified Driver and Driver's Assistant, with a Conductor riding in the self-propelled carriage being coupled as the passenger trailer car.
The self-propelled carriage being part of the coffeepot tram will always be on hand to assist or retrieve the steam-loco and will be an alternative tram when the steam- tram loco cannot be used because of servicing or fire bans.
Run-arounds at Fassifern and Toronto will be required for the operation of the steam powered "Coffee Pot" tram loco. Relocation of the Toronto platform may be required

5 Description of Fassifern to Toronto Line

Distance between station platforms Fassifern to Toronto is 4kms, all laid with 90lb rail.
The Toronto line at Fassifern is no longer connected to the main northern line, points have been removed and an earth mound isolates the Toronto line by aprox 100m.
A low level platform is to be erected next to the existing siding on the Toronto line at Fassifern. Points will be reinstalled on this siding to reconnect it to the Toronto line when the Depot building is constructed.

Bridges and Road Crossings
(a) Fassifern subway- 7.5 m long. Construction- concrete abutments and arch, earth filled. Crosses over Fassifern Rd. with 2 rail tracks leading to points for the siding.
(b) LT Creek bridge - (Lancelot Threlkeld Creek) 4.6m single span. Construction- concrete abutments, steel girders supporting sleepers.
(c) Bridge over storm water outlet at Todd St. Blackalls - same as (b).
(d) Blackall's Platform level crossing - light traffic only - propose Conductor will stop road traffic then flag Tram across.
(e) Mudd Ck. Bridge- 32.4 m long 7 spans. Construction- steel head-stocks on concrete piles, steel girders supporting sleepers.
(f) Lake St level crossing - very light traffic area - propose Conductor stopping road traffic then flag Tram across.
(g) Stony Ck Bridge- 59.8 m long 13 spans. Construction same as (e).
(h) Cary St- MR 217 level crossing - rails and signals have been removed. Realignment will be required when this crossing is reinstated. Warning bells and flashing lights will also be required to be installed. It is suggested that this crossing be reinstated when stage 1(b) is operational.

6 Assessment of Bridges.

An Engineer's report is required to assess the ability of the bridges to carry the 6 tonne axle loading of the TCPTMS rolling stock. If Mudd or Stony Ck bridges require work that is beyond the financial resources of TCPTMS at this stage, it is then proposed to operate the Tram between Fassifern and Blackalls platforms until the bridge work is carried out.

7 Ruling Grade

The Ruling Grade is 1:53 and is from the Cary St level crossing to the roundabout in Victory Pde. towards Toronto platform.
Other grades are 1:63 250m aprox. on the Fassifern side of Blackalls station.
1:94 grade from Stony Ck. Bridge to Cary St level crossing.

Last updated 6 Mar 2003