By Tom Bowden (The Advertiser)
Train and tram lovers, get on board the real estate opportunity of a lifetime – this Mount Osmond home comes with a train track that winds through an underground tunnel.
A stunning hillside home at 3 Stymie Place, Mount Osmond has hit the market, complete with an 80m train track that winds its way through a 34m underground tunnel the house was built around in 1987.
The track is the creation – and obsession – of 95-year-old Bob Nash, who, with his wife Betty is now selling the home.
A former shoe shop owner in Broken Hill, Mr Nash retired at 47 to take up model engineering and has treated his hobby as a full-time job until recently.
“It’s been an absolute passion, some would say an obsession,” Mr Nash’s son Peter said.
In his time at the home, Mr Nash has built seven steam trains and an electric tram – meticulously machining every single part in the property’s workshop.
Peter Nash with granddaughter Mila, 8 months, enjoy his father’s Mount Osmond tram with the neighbouring property’s children Ava, Harvey and Boston. Picture: Tom Huntley
Bob Nash with son Peter at his Mount Osmond property that is for sale. Picture: Tom Huntley
A stem train and electric tram hand-built by Mr Nash, with the property’s 34m underground tunnel in the background. Picture: supplied.
3 Stymie Place, Mount Osmond. Picture: supplied.
“He did a lot of research out at the St Kilda tram historical section,” Mr Nash said.
“It’s not a toy track, it’s a serious, fun track and children of all ages are capable of driving the tram – it is as simple as (pulling) a lever.
“Someone as young as two or three years of age could actually, sitting on somebody’s lap, drive the train and be in charge.
“Anybody that jumps on it, whether you’re five or 55, it doesn’t matter – you get a bit of a buzz out of it.”
The track is a standard 7 ¼-inch gauge – a popular format for many model engineers.
While none of the family’s trains or the tram are included in the sale, Mr Nash said compatible trains were commonly available.
“You could get a Thomas the Tank Engine if you wanted to be novel, or you could get a really sophisticated steam engine – you could put whatever you like around here, it’s just a matter of getting the 7 ¼ gauge (model) and then you’re up and running,” he said.
3 Stymie Place, Mount Osmond. Picture: supplied.
3 Stymie Place, Mount Osmond. Picture: supplied.
The indoor pool and spa at 3 Stymie Place, Mount Osmond. Supplied.
The 700sqm home – on a 2770sqm allotment – has up to five bedrooms, an indoor pool, spa and sauna; and extensive indoor and outdoor living spaces.
The track is the icing on the cake, Mr Nash said, adding that for those not interested in trains, its underground tunnel could easily be repurposed.
“It would make a magnificent wine cellar – you’d get a few bottles of red in there,” he said.
Selling agent Pat Schinella of Agency Avenue Schinellas said the home – which is being offered without a price guide – “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. was one-of-a-kind.