Episode 3: Puffing Billy Keeps on Track
While Puffing Billy Railway takes a break, it’s not the first time it has had to close down for an extended period of time. Back in 1953 it almost shut down for good, if not for the power of the people.
Puffing Billy Railway is currently closed but will be back soon when restrictions ease.
Please see website for details.
Would you like to read the text of this episode again? No problem. Below you can read the story, Puffing Billy Keeps on Track.
Amongst the hills and greenery of the Dandenong Ranges a narrow-gauge train track was carved into the landscape, named the Gembrook line. The service began in the year 1900. It opened up new areas beyond the city, making them accessible to Melburnians wanting to escape for day trips and weekend holidays.
The line, which now begins in Belgrave, was originally 29km long and began in Upper Ferntree Gully. It boasts beautiful scenery through the canopy of the temperate rainforest. Despite facing some operating losses – the sharp curves and severe gradients along the line created costly difficulties when transporting goods – the service ran successfully for over fifty years.
Tragedy struck in 1953. In early August of that year, a large landslide occurred, blocking the track between Belgrave and Menzies Creek. A large effort went into clearing this section of the line. However, this work was abandoned towards the end of August due to continuing operating losses.
The landslide was thought to be the final nail in the coffin for Puffing Billy. The on-going operating losses compounding with the trains now being unable to run, Victoria Railways made the decision to close the line permanently in 1954.
However, the landslide was also the catalyst for the community to leap into action to save the beloved train service. A Citizens Committee was formed – later renamed the Puffing Billy Preservation Society – to save, if not the complete operation, then at least the historical locomotives for future generations to enjoy.
Thanks to the efforts of this concerned community, led by President Harold L. Hewett (a local schoolteacher), Puffing Billy was saved.
The landslide was so significant that when restoring the trainline the decision was made to bypass that section of the track and rebuild around the landslide area, marking it as a key piece of Puffing Billy’s history.
The reopening of the section of the line blocked by the landslide occurred on Saturday the 28th of July, 1962.
To this day sightseers have the efforts of Harold L Hewett and the community to thank for the opportunity to travel through the Dandenong Ranges via steam train.
The tragic story of Thomas Chirnside who came to Australia with nothing but the bible, a little money and optimism. Joined by his brother Andrew and wife to be Mary, the friends successfully built a pastoral empire, bred famous race horses and acquired respect, fame and fortune. However, this was short lived and the three met devastating ends.