The following information is courtesy of the information pamphlet from Puffing Billy.

"The original Puffing Billy railway was one of four narrow gauge lines constructed in Victoria. The present line between Belgrave and Gembrook is the major part of the 29km line which operated between Upper Ferntree Gully and Gembrook between 1900 and 1953. The line was closed in 1953 when a landslide occurred and blocked the track.

In 1965, with the formation of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society, the line was re-opened as far as Menzies Creek with the assistance of the Victorian Railways and the Citizens Military Forces. The line was subsequently restored and re-opened to Emerald in 1965, extended to Lakeside in 1975 and Gembrook in 1998".

You can either drive or catch public transport to Belgrave - it will take about an hour from Melbourne. If you catch the train, Puffing Billy is a short walk from Belgrave station.

All photos were taken on July 27, 2004.

Above: A sign welcoming visitors to Puffing Billy.

Above: The cab of locomotive 7A

Above: 7A prior to departure on the 'Luncheon Special'.

Above: Carriage 3NBH.

Above: Carriage 4NAL.

Above: Carriage 2NBC.

Above: Menzies Creek Signal Box.

Above: 7A at Menzies Creek.

Above: Wagons stored in the siding at Menzies Creek.

Above: Emerald.

Above: Nobelius Siding.

Above: Nobelius.

Above: 7A (left) and 6A (right) at Lakeside.