Visitors to the iconic Puffing Billy railway can once again enjoy the century-old tradition of sitting on the sills on open-side carriages for the full length of the railway journey for the first time since 2018.
The practice was banned when a minibus collided with the heritage train in 2018. While none of the passengers on Puffing Billy were injured, one of the passengers in the mini bus was taken to hospital.
An investigation followed, and modifications were made to Puffing Billy’s carriage sills which meant that there was a partial lifting of the leg-dangling ban in 2022 for the Belgrave to Lakeside station part of the journey.
The return of leg dangling for the entire journey is now possible because of a $1.4 million upgrade to the Gembrook Historic Station and Menzies Creek Station.
The project has restored the Gembrook station’s facade back to its original glory – celebrating its rich heritage dating back to the town’s initial settlement in 1873.
Puffing Billy Railway has been part of Victoria’s railway history for 123 years, with generations of families making the journey through the Dandenong Ranges at the much-loved attraction. More than 400,000 visitors enjoy the preserved heritage steam railway every year,
Learn more about Puffing Billy and the iconic Puffing Billy Running Festival taking place this September here puffingbilly.com.au.
