Puffing Billy Victoria

THE PUFFING BILLY RAILWAY, VICTORIA: Belgrave to Gembrook, through the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria. A magical 24km, narrow gauge (2ft6in, 762mm) Railway operating a wide variety of Steam Locomotives and three Diesel Locomotives, Diesel Locomotives are often used for part of the journey to Gembrook during periods of high fire danger.

At the time of writing this, the Railway had been operating with very few interruptions for one hundred and fourteen (114) years. The original Narrow Gauge Railway was opened in 1900 to service local farming and timber works.

PUFFING BILLY - STEAM LOCOMOTIVES:

1901: #6A 'VICTORIAN RAILWAYS NA CLASS' - STEAM LOCOMOTIVE: Originally presented in two tone green, #6A: serviced the Cola to Beech Forest line for many years, temporarily retired from service in 1958, the Locomotive arrived at Belgrave in 1962 operating until 1983 when it was again withdrawn from service. Restoration works were performed at Belgrave, including the restoration of side tanks, a wooden cow catcher and two tone green with white highlighting. Wheel arrangement 2-6-2T.

#6A: AT THE BELGRAVE STATION YARDS

1908: #8A 'VICTORIAN RAILWAYS NA CLASS' - STEAM LOCOMOTIVE: Originally presented in Canadian Pacific red and dark brown, #8A: serviced the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line for many years, retired, the Locomotive spent some years as a static Tourist attraction. Arriving at the Belgrave Yards in 1976 for restoration #8A: re-entered service on the Puffing Billy Line in 1982, significant modifications were undertaken during the restoration including an extended coal bunker, tapered smoke stack, cow catcher and a black exterior colour scheme. Wheel arrangement 2-6-2T.

#8A: AT THE BELGRAVE STATION YARDS

#8A: LEAVING THE BELGRAVE STATION

1914: #14A 'VICTORIAN RAILWAYS NA CLASS' - STEAM LOCOMOTIVE: Originally presented in Canadian Pacific red and dark brown, #14A: serviced the Colac to Crowes line, retired into storage the locomotive was ultimately brought to Belgrave in 1965 and has been in service on the Puffing Billy Line since that time. #14A:was restored at Belgrave to match the Locomotive's appearance during the 1938~1946 period, recent modifications included a black exterior colour scheme, cow catcher and large front headlight assembly. Wheel arrangement 2-6-2T.

#14A: BUILDING UP A HEAD OF STEAM AT THE BELGRAVE STATION YARDS


	#14A: CHANGE OF ENGINES AT LAKESIDE STATION

#14A: LARGE HEADLIGHT ADDED	#14A: MAINTENANCE AT LAKESIDE STATION

#14A: CHANGE OF ENGINES (STEAM TO DIESEL) AT LAKESIDE


	#14A: LINKAGES

#14A: AT LAKESIDE STATION	#14A: LINKAGES

#14A: CYLINDER, CYLINDER COVER AND PISTON ROD ASSEMBLY (RHS)

#14A: PISTON ROD ASSEMBLY (RHS)

PUFFING BILLY - DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES:

1970: #DH31: DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE: #DH31 commenced service as #DH51 in 1970 on the Queensland Railways and was retired in 1994. Subsequent regauging, transportation to Belgrade, repainting and renumbering to 'DH31', the locomotive is used extensively during high fire danger periods in lieu of Steam, particularly on the heavily timbered 'Lakeside to Gembrook' section of the line.

#DH31: USED FOR PART OF MANY TRIPS DUE TO HIGH FIRE DANGER, HERE #DH31 IS READY TO DEPART THE GEMBROOK TERMINUS STATION


	#DH31: NEARLY READY

#DH31: AT GEMBROOK	#DH31: TIME FOR A CUPPA!

#DH31: READY TO DEPART THE GEMBROOK TERMINUS STATION

#DH31: NEGOTIATING A TRESTLE BRIDGE

1968: #D21: DIESEL SHUNTER LOCOMOTIVE: #D21 commenced service in 1968 with the Tasmanian Government Railways as a 'TGR' V-Class 12, (#V12). The Locomotive was built at the 'TGR' Workshops in Launceston, Tasmania, based on the English 'Vulcan-Drewry' design. Buffing Billy services commenced in 1986 following regauging and Crew Cab lowering. In 1987 the Locomotive was renumbered from #V12 to #D21.

#D21 AND #DH31 ON A SIDING

1951: #NRT1: DIESEL SHUNTER (RAIL TRACTOR) LOCOMOTIVE: A Ruston Diesel Locomotive, #NRT1 initially served on the Victorian Electricity Commission Kiewa Scheme, regauged, the Shunter eventually was located at the Belgrave Station Yards.

#NRT1: EXITING THE ENGINE SHEDS AT THE BELGRAVE STATION YARDS

#NK 2: MAINTENANCE CREW - TRACK AND FIRE PATROL VEHICLE: A two person and 'dog' Track and Fire Patrol Vehicle, #NK 2 performs track and fire patrol duties every morning before the first Puffing Billy Trains depart Belgrave Station. #NK 2 is also used to 'follow' trains during high fire danger periods to check for any embers or spot fires.

MORE PUFFING BILLY RAILWAY COVERAGE: Please continue my 'Puffing Billy Railway coverage' by selecting from the following pages...

MORE RAILWAYS COVERAGE: Please continue my 'Railways coverage' by selecting from the following pages...

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