Puffing Billy Railway in Belgrave, Victoria, Australia | Landmark & historical place

Puffing Billy Railway

Locality: Belgrave, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9757 0700

Address: 1 Old Monbulk Road 3160 Belgrave, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.puffingbilly.com.au

Likes: 47748

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• Landmark & historical place
• Railway company
• Landmark
• Train station

25.01.2022 Winding down after an exciting week of announcements. Only 1 week to go until we're back! If you're planning to visit, make sure you jump online and book your ticket! Online bookings are essential www.puffingbilly.com.au... credit: Michael Greenhill

25.01.2022 Off the beaten track... credit: Kahla Webb

24.01.2022 For those who leave never to return, for those who return but never the same...we remember" Guru Z S Gill Lest we forget. #RemembranceDay #WeRememberThem... credit: Dean Gifford - 2018

22.01.2022 This week we welcome couple Jenny and Gary Baker to our volunteer feature series! Jenny and Gary’s story began 3-4 years ago when their love of heritage and the history of the Railway inspired them to contribute to the preservation of Puffing Billy Volunteering has come in a variety of roles for Jenny and Gary, including as Menzies Creek Museum team members working on heritage restoration and conservation projects like the Loco Delta, assisting with fire patrol duty and in ...early February, Jenny became a qualified Guard and Signalwoman! Puffing Billy is an integral part of the history of this region and one we have come to enjoy researching and learning about over the years. Once we had learnt all there was to learn from the outside, we knew we had to get out on the line and discover more, so volunteering became a natural extension of our love for heritage and railway history. Jenny was once a specialist history incursion presenter, teaching history programs in medieval, ancient and WW1 history in 80 schools a year around Victoria! Since then, it has been incredibly rewarding from doing the background historical research into artifacts at the Museum to the rebuilding of the Museum, including lagging the steam line (though Jenny may have got more paint on herself than on the lagging of the pipe!), and the Wright Station platform, we enjoy the variety of projects we get to work on. Our track patrol shifts are always a fantastic day out on the line travelling behind the trains and is one of the best ways to learn how the railway works. It’s just beautiful seeing the sunrise come up and the waking of a new day with the wildlife out and about! While in lockdown, we have spent our time as members of the Puffing Billy Modellers group helping to build new railway layouts. This has kept our minds busy while we awaited the announcement to return to the real thing! As living historians who often do historical re-enactments, we wonder what historians will see when they look back on the year 2020 If you would like to learn more about the history of the Victorian Railways, check out Looking for the Evidence, Jenny’s historical research website: https://sites.google.com/site/archoevidence/.

21.01.2022 Got to be in it to win it! Have you seen our latest competition? Send us a snap of your lunchtime sandwich train and win a fantastic prize from Rayner's Orchard ENTRIES CLOSE TODAY!

19.01.2022 Who else is ready to rock and roll across our iconic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge? Lakeside, here we come! Five days to go!!! credit: Kahla Webb

19.01.2022 We're getting all fired up for our grand return to the tracks this weekend Who is coming along?! We have limited tickets remaining for train services this coming Saturday and Sunday, so don’t miss out! Jump onto our website and book your spot NOW! After a 250-day hiatus, we are ready to chug our way through the hilly Dandenong Ranges! ... Online bookings are essential at www.puffingbilly.com.au. credit: Michael Greenhill

19.01.2022 Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations With sharp curves, steep grades and beautiful views, we should know credit: Kahla Webb

18.01.2022 A little afternoon update from Belgrave HQ with familiar face Dave, our Workshop Superintendent! Who’s got their tickets already?! Remember that online bookings are essential before visiting us! www.puffingbilly.com.au

18.01.2022 Our volunteers are made up of kind and compassionate people from a range of backgrounds who graciously give up their time to help keep the railway alive The impact they have upon the community and our organisation does not go unnoticed. In this Facebook Feature series, we are taking the opportunity to profile our volunteers and help you find out what it's really like to be part of the Puffing Billy Railway - in their own words. MEET CHRISTINE & PETER, a husband and wife du...o who have been a warm and friendly face for passengers arriving at Gembrook station, for well over 16 years. Volunteering two days a week, sometimes more, Peter takes care of the merchandise, train tickets and general upkeep of the station shop, while Christine takes on the social butterfly role and welcomes all guests to sunny Gembrook with a big smile and plenty of local recommendations to share. Before joining the railway, Peter was a primary school teacher and principal, while Chris worked in home care. Since retiring, they have been actively involved in an orchid club, choir group Sing Australia, a lively discussion group and Puffing Billy. In between all that, Christine is an avid Moon photographer with a catalogue of 4,000+ photos and Peter a record collector, with a collection also spanning 4,000+ records! We’ve all heard the saying if you want something done, ask a busy person! At Gembrook station, the world comes to us! We have made some fabulous friends and associates over the years. Christine takes great delight in pointing out the best local lunch spots and eateries to visit here, snapping photos of our happy travellers, and listening to stories from all walks of life. She always has a treasure trove of tales to share! Christmas is a lovely time here, as we decorate the station inside and out. Occasionally when only a few children are "on board", with the approval of their parents, they are each given a Christmas tree ornament. Gembrook Christmases are special - Christine and I dress as Santa and Mary Christmas and for Thomas the Tank Engine Days, as Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The smell of coal and engine smoke is in our blood. At four years old, Christine can remember running from her mother’s shop down to the station to stand in the smoke and steam. It always has been a part of our life and always will be.

17.01.2022 What does a little slice of Puffing Billy history and some locally sourced, seasonal produce get you? A trip to Nobelius Siding and a delicious two-course lunch, that's what! Enjoy a new kind of dining experience that mixes local fresh food with the striking beauty of the Dandenong Ranges at one of our finest hidden gems the heritage-listed Nobelius Packing Shed. Sit back, relax, and bask in the company of loved ones with a 55-minute ride on board Australia’s oldest pres...erved steam railway and a delicious two-course lunch at the Nobelius Packing Shed. Famed for being the central transportation point for the Nobelius Nursery in 1900 later becoming the largest exporter of fruit and ornamental trees in the Southern Hemisphere the Nobelius Packing Shed is a heritage listed remnant of horticultural history and the perfect setting for an afternoon bite. Tickets are now on sale, with the first lunch date set for December 4! Online bookings are essential: https://puffingbilly.com.au/exper/train-lunch-packing-shed/

17.01.2022 "The special thing about living in the hills is we can see, hear and smell Puffing Billy! We feel so lucky to have had so many special days riding the rails and enjoying the view." - Anna Mossby Anna's picture perfect photo was the winner of our recent 'Submit Your Favourite Photo' competition What a special memory! Thank you for sharing it with us ... And a big thank you to those who participated in our last competition! We can't wait to make more memories with you all this coming weekend! Four sleeps to go! Still plenty of time to book your spot - www.puffingbilly.com.au

17.01.2022 Train your mind to see the good in every situation Flashback Friday with thanks to Kahla Webb

17.01.2022 It's World Gratitude Day and we want to thank Victoria for doing all the right things and keeping all of us safe! A special thank you to all the frontline workers that have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle. On #worldgratitudeday, we are also immensely grateful for the community support received during our time of closure. We know you are all looking forward to hearing and seeing the steam and whistle of our trusty Puffing Billy loco chugging through the Dandenong Ranges, so we really can't wait to welcome you all back soon Tag someone you're grateful for in the comments below

16.01.2022 One week into 2021 and it feels good! What’s on your ultimate travel bucket list this year? Look no further than a ride on board our century old steam train A trip in our open-side carriages can be like taking several vacations from a single seat! Whether it’s a short journey to Menzies Creek, an afternoon of fun at Lakeside or an all day adventure at Gembrook, we have a train trip to suit everyone! Head over to www.puffingbilly.com.au to find out more or to book your spot in!

16.01.2022 How's this for a photo! Emma and Reuben tied the knot a little before Melbourne's first lockdown and were lucky enough to capture some stunning shots just two days before. How lucky are we to have shared a small part in such a special time in their lives! Love knows no bounds, as they say! Thank you for sharing your memories with us Mr and Mrs Vogt credit: Ateia Photography and Videography

15.01.2022 ***EDIT TO THE PREVIOUS POST... *** We have been informed by the Department of Health and Human Services that Puffing Billy Lakeside Station has now been removed from the list of exposure sites. The wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, visitors and community is our number one priority and will continue to respond promptly to DHHS’s advice and recommendations. ... For FAQs or further information on what we are doing to keep everyone safe during your visit, please head to https://puffingbilly.com.au/covid-safe/ Thank you all for your support and look forward to reopening on Thursday, 7th January 2021. Photo Credit: Michael Greenhill

15.01.2022 It’s a different Melbourne Cup this year but racing fans will still be able to catch the unmissable event and celebrate from home! Can anyone guess how much horsepower our NA locomotives have? Our NA's may be slow, but they certainly pack a punch in mechanical power! Wherever you are we hope you enjoy today and manage a win or two! ... credit: Michael Greenhill

15.01.2022 We're not wasting a single second in getting ready to welcome our visitors back. Our first steam locomotive ran through to Emerald station today to transfer some carriages back to Belgrave, ready for the reopening next week! credit: Tim Heeks, our Carriage & Wagon Workshop Superintendent

13.01.2022 DRUM ROLL PLEASE! A huge congratulations to Trina Gearon and her two young boys for plating up this traintastic lunch! Nothing like waffles, fresh fruit and a drizzle of chocolate sauce to get us on the right track Thank you to all who entered. Keep your eyes peeled for some more giveaways coming up!

13.01.2022 Afternoon sun streaming through the trees What beautiful weather we've had this week! credit: Michael Greenhill

13.01.2022 Make way for 8A! This 112-year-old beauty doesn’t look a day over 21, if you ask us! credit: Kahla Webb

13.01.2022 A limited number of tickets are still available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday This weekend’s forecast is looking beautiful! Hop on board with family and friends for an adventure in the great outdoors, and enjoy a journey of endless discovery. Picnic and lunch packs are also available for pre-order online to feast upon during your journey or stopover at Emerald Lake Park. ... Head to our website today www.puffingbilly.com.au to secure your spot. credit: Tony Marsden *Authority to film via drone on Puffing Billy Railway's land and assets was granted prior to filming.

11.01.2022 If you haven't got much planned for this weekend, then settle into this fabulous 'A Part Together' game you can do from home! Great to see Cardinia Shire and the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette getting behind a local project. We are pleased to see a special Puffing Billy drawing from one of our volunteers, Rachel Dixon, included in the game

10.01.2022 **COMPETITION TIME** This month’s competition will be determined by YOU! We want you to submit your favourite photo from a time when you visited us here at Puffing Billy Whether it’s a shot of your family, a day out with friends, or a solo adventure through the Dandenong Ranges capturing the beautiful sights of the region, we want to see your best photo! ... The most LIKES by NOVEMBER 19th (11.59pm AEST) will win a $50 voucher to spend in-store at easily one of our favourite Emerald cafes, The General Food Store! Serving up the finest fair trade coffee, locally sourced seasonal brunch dishes and the friendliest staff you will meet this end of town, nothing beats a day trip out to Puffing Billy, followed by some fresh housemade lunch! Simply drop your photo in the comments section below, tell us a little about your trip and what was so special about that day, before sharing this post with family and friends to like your photo! We can’t wait to see and hear about the memories made in your pictures Here's a shot of one of our favourite photos from July last year, when our first ever female driver, Belinda, took to the tracks with an all-female crew Photo credit: Derek Schlennstedt

08.01.2022 It's a new week! Which means a new activity to share with school holiday goers This time, we've put together an activity book filled with fun! From word searches and colour-in pages, to dot-to-dot drawings, a train chain and so much more, we think this activity book will keep the little ones entertained for a few hours! To download, simply head to www.puffingbilly.com.au/pbr-holiday-activity-book/ and get printing! Enjoy!

08.01.2022 Those summer days It’s a good day to have a good day! credit: Noufel Harris (@wander7lust)

07.01.2022 Locomotive reflections Dean Gifford delivering the goods once again

06.01.2022 Happy International Coffee Day Everything gets better with coffee We can't wait to serve up your next brew at Menzies Creek Museum!

06.01.2022 Wander often, wonder always credit: Kahla Webb

04.01.2022 Full steam ahead...literally! Another fantastic shot of 6A from 2017 #throwbackthursday credit: Dean Gifford

03.01.2022 When Climax photobombs the shot... Lucky we don't mind! credit: Dean Gifford

01.01.2022 LOCAL LOVE! The Independent Gembrook are mixing it up this week with an American BBQ menu! Nothing makes our mouth water more than fresh cornbread, beef brisket, classic mac ‘n’ cheese, coleslaw and a sweet pumpkin pie. ... The Independent Gembrook's ‘To Heat at Home’ menu is also available for delivery Friday to Sunday to selected local suburbs. Orders must be placed by 4pm to receive next day delivery. Find their online menu: www.theindependentgembrook.com.au To place an order: Phone 03 5968 1110 Email [email protected] Support our local businesses #theindependentgembrook #supportlocal