The iron horse

David Bowden relives a bygone era via Puffing Billy, one of the world’s finest preserved steam railways, in Melbourne

Puffing Billy crossing a trestle bridge. junction with the Puffing Billy Preservation Society employs 100 full-time staff supplemented by the hardworking efforts of over 900 volunteers.

THE TRAIN

The Belgrave to Gembrook line was one of four experimental narrow gauge lines opened to develop rural Victoria.

Five Baldwin steam trains designed in the US are operated by the railway and supplemented by three diesel trains on days when total fire bans are in place. Some were built in the US and imported while others were built in Victoria. Baldwin trains were built in Pennsylvania by Baldwin which happened to be one of the world’s largest steam train producers.

Steam trains are painted in different colours and numbered 6A (black), 7A (Canadian red), 8A (green), 12A (Canadian red) and 14A (black).

Various restored heritage carriages are hauled by the locomotive and feature open sides plus informative guides and route maps. Both first and second class coaches operate but there is no differentiation in pricing.

All the main stations have well-stocked restrooms serving hot and cold snacks and beverages plus souvenirs.

THE JOURNEY

Most Puffing Billy journeys start in Belgrave, 42km from Melbourne with electric Melbourne Metro trains providing a one-hour connecting link (the steam train station is a short walk from the Metro Station).

Various travel options are available with most passengers travelling on the Belgrave-Lakeside-Belgrave service that takes about three hours.

Belgrave Station is normally a hive of activity prior to the train’s departure with trains being shunted and refuelled at the locomotive running shed and workshop here and, passengers refuelling themselves at the well-stocked restroom and souvenir shop.

Not long after departure, the train crosses the iconic 15-span, Monbulk Creek trestle bridge (91m) which is suitably curved to enable good photography especially from the rear of the train. The train passes through Sherbrooke Forest with its majestic stands of towering Mountain Ash eucalypts (the

Puffing Billy. world’s tallest flowering plant) and an on board

Passengers understorey of luxuriant ferns.

Menzies Creek Station, 30 minutes from and Fielder before reaching the former timber Belgrave, is the first stop and a place where town of Gembrook. The train stops here trains often cross. Continuing, the train for an hour for passengers to explore the passes through Clematis Station and the historic town.

Paradise Hotel before pulling into Emerald Daily departures from Belgrave to Lakeside Station, the highest station on the line and leave at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm a railway repair yard. with a one-hour stop at Lakeside Station.

Nobelius Packing Shed, a venue for dinner Various excursion trains also operate in and dance excursion trains is passed addition to the scheduled services. before the train pulls into Lakeside.

Here, the steam train takes on water while passengers alight and take in the fresh air at Emerald Lake Park or even walk the trails and picnic spots here and rejoin a later train back to Belgrave.

Passengers who continue on the Gembrook train will pass through

Wright, Cockatoo

Baldwin 8A steam train Puffing Billy at Belgrave Station.