A RIDE ON PUFFING BILLY

Knowing that Granddad and Banjo love trains, Sonya booked up for us to go on the Puffing Billy Railway while we were in Melbourne. A steam train takes visitors through the scenic Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to GemBrook in Victoria. The railway was originally constructed in 1900 to open up remote areas. In 1953 a landslide blocked the track and it was closed due to operating losses. Public interest resulted in the formation of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. Volunteers reopened part of the line in 1962. Over the years it was extended bit by bit until it was completed in 1998. It is 28k long. There is more than one train operating daily.

It was a wet, cold day but the train was full. It has open carriages so we rugged up well.

The boys went to check out the engine.

Off we go!

Passengers are allowed to sit on the rail and dangle their legs outside. Needless to say I refrained. We travelled through forests, fern gullies and farmland. It was very pretty countryside. We only went half way and got off at the little town of Emerald.

We found a super big Bakery selling a wide variety of goodies for lunch. I had soup in a bread bowl. It was delicious. The boys had a burger and  special treats for dessert. Banjo chose a meringue worm and Fox a cup cake.

After lunch we walked through the pretty forest to the next station at Lakeside. We stopped in at Emerald Museum on the way. You can tell I come from Queensland and not used to cold weather, but it was a beautiful walk and I was as warm as toast.

After a 1.5k walk, we came to Emerald Lake. It was surrounded by nice parklands.

Soon we were at the station and on the next train back to Belgrave.

Fox was brave enough to sit on the rail with his dad holding him.

Banjo snuggled into his mum's lap and had a nap on the way back. We all had a good day despite the weather.