What is Puffing Billy Railway?
Puffing Billy is a heritage steam railway in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. It runs about 24 kilometres from Belgrave to Gembrook.
The narrow-gauge line opened in 1900 to serve farming communities. It closed in the 1950s and was saved by volunteers.
Passengers often sit with legs dangling out the windows. The train crosses a historic trestle bridge.
Visiting Puffing Billy
Trains run most days. The line passes forest, farmland and Emerald Lake Park.
Most of the work is done by volunteers. Belgrave is reached by train from Melbourne.
The line was first built to open up the Dandenong Ranges to farmers and timber workers. After a landslide closed the line in the 1950s, the Puffing Billy Preservation Society raised funds and reopened it in stages, reaching Gembrook in 1998. Today it is one of Victoria's most popular tourist attractions, with steam locomotives that are around a century old. Special events include Thomas the Tank Engine days and dinner trains. The Trestle Bridge at Monbulk Creek is one of the most photographed sights along the line, as trains pass slowly over its timber supports.
Did You Know?
Puffing Billy runs on narrow gauge track 762 millimetres wide.