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If there’s one factor Melbourne’s Puffing Billy Railway is iconic for, it is the century-old custom of individuals having fun with scenic views whereas sitting on the sills of the carriages, dangling their legs exterior. Nonetheless, the observe was banned after an accident in 2018, a lot to the ire of travellers and rail fans.
The ban was not too long ago overturned earlier this month, after a lot mourning by and issues from the locals that the custom might now not see the sunshine of day. Additional security options within the carriages have additionally been launched, albeit after vital delay as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, from February 4, 2022, onwards, passengers can now get pleasure from their journeys sitting on the sills with their legs exterior the carriage.
“It’s been a labour of affection for our crew, companions, and supporters, and we’re completely delighted to have the ability to supply the long-lasting sitting on the sills expertise to adults and kids aged from 4 to 13 as soon as once more,” mentioned Peter Abbott, CEO of Puffing Billy Railway. “Nothing beats the journey by way of the towering forests, round bends, over bridges and streams, waving at passers-by, all of the whereas sitting on the carriage sill as Puffing Billy steams gently alongside the tracks.”
For these looking for to realize additional enjoyment, lunch may be ordered from the brand new state-of-the-art Lakeside Customer Centre cafe menu. Friends can dine in previous to departure, or fill their picnic baskets with tasty treats to devour on the journey. Right here, guests also can store for regionally made presents and handcrafted treasures. Or they may discover a set of expertly curated steam-artifact shows, together with Puffing Billy’s first-ever locomotive, the 3A, inbuilt 1900. The railway additionally affords different engaging experiences reminiscent of a full-day, standalone journey to Lakeside or Gembrook, full with pre-purchased picnic or lunch packs to be gathered from the customer centre.
Tour trains depart on the following instances:
Friday – Saturday
10:00 am – Belgrave to Lakeside
11:00 am – Belgrave to Lakeside
12:30 pm – Belgrave to Lakeside
Sunday
10:00am – Belgrave to Lakeside
11:00 am – Belgrave to Lakeside
12:30 pm – Belgrave to Lakeside
Monday – Thursday
11:00 am – Belgrave to Lakeside
Sitting-on-the-sills trains run between Belgrave and Lakeside. Kids on the sills have to be below grownup supervision (one grownup per two youngsters) always. For extra data, head over to https://puffingbilly.com.au/visit-us/sitting-on-our-carriage-sills/.
The Historical past of Puffing Billy Railway
Puffing Billy is situated between the well-known areas of the Yarra Valley, Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsula. The road opened in 1900 primarily to service the native farming and timber group within the space. It takes passengers by way of a number of the most attribute and iconic landscapes which have a settlement historical past in Australia. Within the twentieth century, the road helped open up entry to distant areas in Victoria offering many small townships with important sources. At present, this historic prepare route from Belgrave passes by way of the Dandenong Ranges close to Melbourne, crossing cities reminiscent of Menzies Creek, Emerald, Lakeside and Cockatoo earlier than terminating at Gembrook—providing landscapes very totally different from those you might even see within the environs of Melbourne.
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