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CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF EVENTS
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| Year | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1888 | Friday 9th March | Contract let for the construction of the Ringwood to Upper Ferntree Gully broad gauge line of 7.5 miles at £32,218.6 |
| 1889 | Wednesday 4th December | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY is opened as a broad gauge terminus
station. |
| 1898 | Tuesday 28th June | Parliamentary Standing Committee recommend construction of the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook narrow gauge railway.75 |
| Monday 15th August | Construction of the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line authorised by the Colonial Parliament.75 | |
| COCKATOO known as COCKATOO CREEK, GEMBROOK known as BROMBYS HILL. | ||
| 1899 | Tuesday 1st August | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to GEMBROOK narrow gauge line construction commenced. |
| 1900 | Wednesday 25th April | Loco 3A (new), first loco on the line, does its first trial trip on the Upper Fern Tree Gully - Gembrook Railway. |
| June | Loco 4A (new) arrives on line for first time. (See 1906) | |
| Tuesday 18th December | Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook narrow gauge railway officially opened, with stations at MONBULK (2 tracks), MENZIES CREEK (2 tracks), EMERALD (2 tracks), DEVON (2 tracks) and GEMBROOK (3 tracks). Stops also at WATER TANKS, and Cockatoo Creek for water. | |
| 1901 | Tuesday 1st January | Refreshment services available from EMERALD. |
| Monday 3rd June | UPWEY station opened. | |
| Monday 29th July | DEVON renamed COCKATOO CREEK.48 | |
| Thursday 20th December | First tourist train operates on the Gembrook line.68 | |
| 1901/2 | Loco 5A arrives on the line for the first time. (See 1928) | |
| 1902 | Wednesday 10th March | STOPPING PLACE opened at location later known as CLEMATIS. |
| 1903 | July | Landslide occurs between SELBY and MENZIES CREEK.75 |
| 1904 | May | SELBY opened by this date. |
| Monday 2nd May | COCKATOO CREEK renamed COCKATOO. | |
| Monday 24th October | WRIGHT opened.50 | |
| Monday 21st November | MONBULK renamed BELGRAVE, MENZIES CREEK renamed AURA or Monday 5/12/1904?14 | |
| Monday 5th December | MONBULK renamed BELGRAVE, MENZIES CREEK renamed AURA or by Monday 21/11/190414, STOPPING PLACE renamed PARADISE VALLEY. | |
| Sunday 11th December | NOBELIUS SIDING opened. | |
| 1906 | Sunday 28th January | Loco 4A and some NQR carriages derail near the Monbulk Creek
trestle bridge. March Loco 4A departs line for last time. (See 1900) |
| A horse tramway from COCKATOO towards Pakenham is opened by Mr. J. Bell. (See 1910, 1914) | ||
| 1907 | Monday 25th February | Single Line Block installed at AURA with Safeworking facility, but without signals by this date.15 |
| Monday 15th April | Single Line Block installed at BELGRAVE with Safeworking facility, but without signals by this date.25 | |
| 1908 | March | Loco 8A (new) arrives on line for first time. |
| August | Home signals added at either end of EMERALD yard. | |
| Sunday 4th October | Sunday trains operate between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and GEMBROOK departing at 11.00am, returning at 5.15pm. | |
| 1909 | Monday 26th April | SELBY opened for goods without siding, by this date.56 |
| Saturday 1st May | PARADISE VALLEY renamed PARADISE (or Saturday 11/ 1/1910) | |
| Monday 7th June | Annett locks provided at BELGRAVE, AURA, NOBELIUS SIDING with key attached to Train Staff for section.16 | |
| July | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY proposed to be or renamed FERNTREE GULLY for a brief period. (Lower Ferntree Gully was renamed Fern Glen).5 | |
| October | Loco 6A arrives on line for first time. | |
| 1910 | Tuesday 11th January | PARADISE VALLEY renamed PARADISE. (or Sat 1/ 5/1909) |
| January | Loop siding added at PARADISE. | |
| August | Signals provided at EMERALD. | |
| Monday 15th August | Signals added with `X' (not in use) at both ends of BELGRAVE station yard by this date 26, and home signal at the Up end of Gembrook yard. | |
| Saturday 21st November | Plans drawn up for J. Bells' tramway to cross the narrow gauge line at the Down end of COCKATOO station. (See 1906, 1914) | |
| UPPER FERNTREE GULLY yard is rebuilt in both broad gauge and narrow gauge, with an island platform to serve both gauges. | ||
| 1911 | April | Loco 9A arrives on line for first time. (See 1936) |
| November | Loco 11A arrives on line for first time. (See 1931) | |
| 1912 | Monday 22nd July | Caretaker placed in charge of BELGRAVE station by this date.27 (See 1919, 1930) |
| Thursday 14th October | Caretaker placed in charge of AURA station by this date.17 (See 1938) | |
| 1913 | Monday 3rd February | Loop siding (2 road) provided at BELGRAVE.28 |
| October | No. 2 road added at EMERALD. | |
| Monday 3rd November | BELGRAVE available for crossing of trains and may open as a Temporary Train Staff and Ticket station by this date.29 | |
| December | Water tank provided at GEMBROOK after this date, and the Cockatoo Creek water stop withdrawn after this date.7 | |
| Broad gauge carriage placed at GEMBROOK sometime around this date. | ||
| 1914 | Tramway at COCKATOO still in use at this date (but details after this date are not known). (See 1906, 1910) | |
| 1915 | March | Loco 15A (new) arrives on line for first time. (See 1943) |
| Monday 13th September | BELGRAVE may open as a Train Staff & Ticket station on Saturdays by this date.30 | |
| Tuesday 12th December | Old coal stage at Gembrook to be or is removed.98 | |
| 1916 | April | Loco 17A (new) arrives on line for first time. (See 1931) |
| Monday 23rd October | Single Line Block and Safeworking facilities provided at SELBY by this date.57 | |
| 1917 | February | Loco 12A arrives on line for first time. |
| 1918 | April | Loco 7A arrives on line for first time |
| 1919 | Saturday 12th April | Nos 1 to 6 NBH (new) delivered to UPPER FERN TREE GULLY after this date. |
| Monday 30th June | Stationmaster provided at BELGRAVE by this date.31 (See 1912, 1930) | |
| Monday 8th December | Nos 7 to 15 NBH (new) delivered to UPPER FERN TREE GULLY after this date. | |
| Wednesday 17th December | 6 NC (new) delivered to UPPER FERN TREE GULLY after this date. | |
| Monday 15th December | Staff exchange box provided at BELGRAVE by this date.32 | |
| Monday 22nd December | Staff locking replaces Annett locks at BELGRAVE, AURA and NOBELIUS SIDING by this date.18 | |
| . . December | Home signals provided at either end of COCKATOO. | |
| 1921 | Tuesday 12th April | AURA available to cross trains, no signals fitted by this date.19 |
| . . April | Loco 14A arrives on line for first time. | |
| . . May | Loco 13A arrives on line for first time. (See 1950) | |
| Saturday 1st October | PARADISE renamed CLEMATIS.46 | |
| Thursday 22nd December | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE section converted to automatic signalling. Train staff & Ticket abolished.33 (See 1930, 1951) | |
| 1922 | Tuesday 17th January | A lock up box is provided instead of the Staff exchange box at BELGRAVE.34 |
| Tuesday 24th January | USHER'S TIMBER LOADING SITE (between Emerald & Wright) opened by this date.49 | |
| . . April | Loco 16A arrives on line for first time. (See 1932) | |
| . . November | Loco 1A arrives on line for first time. (See 1929) | |
| 1923 | Sunday 14th January | Collision at Hermons Siding, UPPER FERNTREE GULLY with empty carriages. 10.45am down shunted onto Empty Carriages.97 |
| Monday 2nd April | 3.40pm up Special from Gembrook ran through the dead end at UPPER FERNTREE GULLY, derailing the locomotive.97 | |
| Friday 22nd June | WATER TANKS (TANKS SIDING) platform opened. (See 1928) | |
| 1924 . | .. July | Loco 10A arrives on line for first time. (See 1936) |
| . . September | Tye Avenue, SELBY is gazetted to be closed after Temple Road (now Long Pockitt Lane) opened.87 | |
| Tuesday 25th November | BATES CROSSING (now Selby-Aura Road crossing) open for inward and outward light goods.23 | |
| Monday 1st December | TECOMA station opened with Caretaker in charge.51 | |
| 1925 | Monday 30th November | RINGWOOD to UPPER FERNTREE GULLY electrified. |
| . . . | OTIRA station and land subdivision (near Water Tanks) proposed about this date. | |
| 1926 | Monday 13th September | VR Road Motor service commenced between MELBOURNE and BELGRAVE (only lasted a few months).8 (See 1928, 1930, 1931, 1941) |
| . . . | Bus garage built in UPPER FERNTREE GULLY yard.85 (See 1984) | |
| 1927 | Monday 7th March | NOBELIUS opened for passengers only.53 |
| Tuesday 11th October | Staff exchange box provided at AURA by this date.20 | |
| Tuesday 11th October | Train Section Order provided at BELGRAVE in addition to the auto signals at BELGRAVE by this date.35 | |
| Tuesday 11th October | SELBY may open as an Intermediate Special Block Post by this date.58 | |
| 1928 | . . February | Loco 5A departs line for last time. (See 1901/2) |
| Monday 10th September | Un-named Stopping place with platform (later FIELDER)
opened. |
|
| Wednesday 26th September | The Chief Mechanical Engineer approves book off for a rests at GEMBROOK to be under 8 hours, so that the 7.20pm down Friday came form the 6.22am up Saturday with the same crew.99 | |
| . . . | WATER TANKS (TANKS SIDING) platform closed. (See 1923) | |
| . . . | VR Road Motor service commenced between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and BELGRAVE.8 (See 1926, 1930, 1931, 1941) | |
| 1929 | . . . | LANCASTER (later FIELDER) unofficially named by Harry Watson, builder of the Fielder Mallee shed. |
| . . . | LAURA (later FIELDER) unofficially named by local children | |
| Tuesday 5th February | Stopping place officially named FIELDER by this date.52 |
|
| . . February | Loco 1A departs line for last time. (See 1922) | |
| . . May | Conversion from chopper to auto coupling program completed on the line with the conversion of 5 NBH (1st). | |
| 1930 | Monday 7th July | VR Road Motor service commenced between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and GEMBROOK.8 (See 1926, 1928, 1931, 1941) |
| Thursday 28th August | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE automatic signalling withdrawn. Train Staff & Ticket system returned. Arms removed from the 3 position signals.36 (See 1921, 1951) | |
| Thursday 30th October | Caretaker placed in charge of BELGRAVE station.37 (See 1912, 1919) | |
| 1931 | Saturday 18th April | VR Road Motor service reduced to between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and COCKATOO.8 (See 1926, 1928, 1930, 1941) |
| . . . | Loco 11A departs line for last time. (See 1911) | |
| . . . | Loco 17A departs line for last time. (See 1916) | |
| 1932 | . . | April Loco 16A departs line for last time. (See 1922) |
| . . . | Station Street (later Tye Avenue), SELBY formally closed. | |
| 1933 | Sunday 16th March | Loco 15A derails at UPPER FERN TREE GULLY. |
| 1934 | Sunday 29th April | Jerry, the Railway Dog is run over between Cockatoo Creek and COCKATOO. (See 1952,1998) |
| Saturday 11th August | Loco 10A ran into by carriages 6NC and 26NB at UPPER FERN TREE GULLY. | |
| 1936 | . . | June Loco 10A departs line for last time. (See 1924) |
| . . | October Loco 9A departs line for last time. (See 1911) | |
| 1938 | Monday 22nd August | No one in charge at AURA by this date.21
(See 1912) |
| . . December | Inspection of bridges on line.75 | |
| 1939 | Tuesday 31st January | Staff exchange box at AURA removed by this date.22 |
| 1941 | Sunday 14th December | VR Road Motor service withdrawn between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and COCKATOO. Route taken over by US Buslines.8 (See 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931) |
| 1942 | . . . | NOBELIUS station building and toilets removed and replaced with a Mallee type waiting shed. |
| 1943 | . . September | Loco 15A departs line for last time. (See 1915) |
| 1944 | Tuesday 18th January | LAKESIDE opened by this date.54 |
| 1945 | Saturday 30th June | Loco 8A derails between SELBY & AURA at 28 mile 30 chains due to defective track. |
| 1946 | Monday 15th April | Loco 12A derails between AURA and CLEMATIS at 29 miles 40 chains after hitting tree. |
| Tuesday 16th April | Loco 12A collides with track machines between BELGRAVE and TECOMA. | |
| 1947 | Tuesday 1st July | AURA renamed MENZIES CREEK.23 |
| Monday 20th October | Loco 13A derails between EMERALD & WRIGHT at 34 miles due to broken spring hanger. | |
| 1949 | . . | February Puffing Billy name in use as the UFTG-Gembrook train by this date.78 |
| 21st December | Parliament passes the Ferntree Gully to Gembrook Railway Construction Act to extend the broad gauge line. Funds to be made available during 1954/55.75 | |
| 1950 | . . April | Loco 13A departs line for last time. (See 1921) |
| 3rd May | VR photographer visits Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line.72 | |
| 1951 | . . December | The auto signal masts are removed from the UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE section of line. (See 1921 and 1930) |
| 1952 | Sunday 27th July | Ian Barkla, Gary Day and Barry Dunn restore Jerry, The Railway Dogs' grave near COCKATOO. (See 1934,1998) |
| . . December | Landslide near WATER TANKS site for the third time in the last 20 years.4 (See 1953) | |
| 1953 | Monday 29th June | Passenger service withdrawn between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and GEMBROOK. |
| Monday 3rd August | 8 A hauls the last through train from GEMBROOK to UPPER FERNTREE GULLY.3 | |
| Tuesday 4th August | Landslide occurs at WATER TANKS site overnight of 3rd & 4th August blocking line from this point. (See 1952) | |
| . . . | Timber road bridge replaced for Belgrave - Gembrook Road by a concrete bridge, built by J. Howard & Co. using Motorail/Simplex No.7351 loco and hopper wagon on 2ft gauge. | |
| 1954 | Tuesday 27th April | The Gembrook Railway League petition Parliament to retain the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook railway. The petition carries 14,000 signatures, was 586 feet long and weighed 30 lb. It was the second biggest presented to Parliament.75 |
| Friday 30th April | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to GEMBROOK railway officially closed. UPWEY, TECOMA, BELGRAVE, SELBY, WATER TANKS, MENZIES CREEK, CLEMATIS, EMERALD, NOBELIUS SIDING, NOBELIUS, LAKESIDE, WRIGHT, COCKATOO, FIELDER & GEMBROOK stations closed. | |
| Tuesday 13th July | TECOMA, BELGRAVE, SELBY, CLEMATIS, NOBELIUS, LAKESIDE, WRIGHT, FIELDER stations closed by this date.37 | |
| Tuesday 17th August | NOBELIUS SIDING deleted from goods rates book by this
date.59 |
|
| Wednesday 13th October | Loco 3A & van 2NBC operate between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and BELGRAVE to return wagons (1 x NU and 6 x NQRs) to Upper Ferntree Gully.75 | |
| Tuesday 23rd November | Victorian Railways Commissioner R.G. Wishart agrees to
David Burkes proposal for the Young Sun Farewell Puffing Billy trips for
the children of Melbourne.75 Saturday 11th December UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE narrow gauge re-opened by S Circular for the Young Sun special. |
|
| Monday 27th December | The second day of UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE
running for The Young Sun. |
|
| 1955 | Saturday 1st to Monday 3rd January, 1955 | The Victorian Railways operate more Farewell Puffing Billy trips.75 |
| Saturday 9th April | First trains run between Upper Ferntree Gully and Belgrave under the guarantee scheme. Volunteer ticket sellers and safety officers introduced.75 | |
| Wednesday 8th June | The Puffing Billy Preservation Society is formed. |
|
| Sunday 31st July | Three month trial period ends with Puffing Billy losing only £36.75 | |
| 2nd August | Chairman of Commissioners R.G. Wishart agrees to operate Puffing Billy regularly (at weekends and public holidays) with quarter assessments. The PBPS to underwrite losses. Voluntary Track Maintenance Branch formed to control vegetation along the line.75 | |
| Sunday 7th August | Loco 3A with 3 NC and 8 NBH
derails at UPWEY. |
|
| . . October | Student Tom Murray organizes Scotch College and others to for the Schools Section, as a part of the Track Maintenance Branch.75 | |
| 1957 | . . September | The Victorian Railways announce plans to electrify and convert the gauge to 5ft 3in for the line between Upper Ferntree Gully and Belgrave.75 Harold Hewett, The Sun and Brighton MP John Rossiter lobby the Minister of Transport and Parliament to retain the narrow gauge railway beyond Belgrave.75 |
| 1958 | . . January | PBPS President Harold Hewett promise that the PBPS will provide free labour to re-open the line between Belgrave and Menzies Creek.75 |
| . . February | The Ministry of Transport authorises the use of volunteer labour to restore the line between Belgrave and Menzies Creek.75 | |
| Sunday 23rd February | Last narrow gauge train hauled by 7A operates between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and BELGRAVE. 5000 passengers travel. Rover scouts collect £1700.75 | |
| Monday 24th February | Rollingstock and locomotives removed from UPPER FERNTREE
GULLY. |
|
| Monday 10th March | Loco 7A with 6A numberplates, displayed in Moomba
procession. |
|
| . . April | Removal of the narrow gauge track between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and BELGRAVE commenced. | |
| . . April | PBPS volunteers commence work on the Belgrave narrow gauge terminus.75 | |
| . . July | Narrow gauge track between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and UPWEY removed by this date. | |
| 29th September | VR photographer visits Upwey & Tecoma broad gauge works.71 | |
| . . . | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE narrow gauge track dismantled. | |
| . . . | The PBPS Schools Section depot is established at CLEMATIS. | |
| . . . | The coal stage using parts from the Upper Ferntree Gully structure, is built at BELGRAVE. | |
| 1959 | . . July | The Citizens Military Force become involved the Belgrave Menzies Creek restoration with Army engineers bypassing Landslide, building loco facilities at Belgrave and a platform at Lakeside.75 |
| . . . | A location prior to Landslide is named Cripple Rail Straight after a tree fell across the line. | |
| 1960 | Wednesday 27th January | Tenders called for top dressing of cuttings of UPPER
FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE broad gauge line. |
| Wednesday 27th January | Tenders called for construction of broad gauge rail
bridge near BELGRAVE. |
|
| Saturday 19th November | PBPS Fundraising Fair at Olympic Swimming Stadium with
0-4-2T (Jackshaft) John Fowler loco in steam. |
|
| Monday 21st November | Former narrow gauge platform at UPPER FERNTREE GULLY available for broad gauge use. | |
| . . . | The Citizens Military Force construct a by-pass around the LANDSLIDE site. | |
| 1960/1 | . . . | Loop siding and water tank at LAKESIDE constructed by CMF/Army. |
| 1961 | . . . | Tenders called for dismantling the LAKESIDE to GEMBROOK section and purchase of materials.9 |
| . . July | A.P. (Lon) Wymond is elected 2nd President of the PBPS. | |
| . . July | The Vice President of the PBPS negotiates new arrangements for voluntary participation.75 | |
| Sunday 15th October | Last rail vehicles (trolley & trailer) leave GEMBROOK prior to the removal of track and sleepers. | |
| Friday 29th December | International Rover Scout Moot provides 500 Scouts to undertake major track and building work.75 | |
| 1961/2 | . . . | LAKESIDE to GEMBROOK track dismantled. |
| 1962 | Sunday 18th February | First electric train between UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and BELGRAVE operates, stations at UPWEY, TECOMA and BELGRAVE re-opened for broad gauge.38 |
| Sunday 6th May | BELGRAVE transfer ramp placed in use with the arrival of loco 7A and carriages from Newport at Little BELGRAVE. (See 1975, 1981) | |
| Sunday 13th May | Loco 6A from Newport and carriages from Colac arrive at Little BELGRAVE. | |
| Saturday 21st July | Train Staff & Ticket provided between BELGRAVE and MENZIES CREEK for the section Belgrave to Lakeside. SELBY open for passengers with no one in charge.40 | |
| Saturday 28th July | BELGRAVE, SELBY and MENZIES CREEK narrow gauge officially re-opened. (Selby a non stop station). WATER TANKS site now referred to as LANDSLIDE or WINDY HILL. | |
| . . . | Occupation Crossing for Maddock/Bligh residence referred to as OLD LADIES CROSSING, Belgrave by this date. | |
| . . . | New No.2 Road (next to No. 1) constructed at MENZIES CREEK. | |
| 1963 | Sunday 12th May | The 100,000th passenger is carried by the PBPS between Belgrave and Menzies Creek.75 |
| Sunday 18th August | The Gang Shed at the end of BELGRAVE narrow gauge platform is dismantled and later re-erected at CLEMATIS. | |
| . .August | Gang Shed at MENZIES CREEK built by this date. | |
| . . . | BELGRAVE narrow gauge platform extended from 210 feet to 380 feet. | |
| . . . | Gang Shed from BELGRAVE re-erected at CLEMATIS. | |
| 1964 | Tuesday 17th March | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY to BELGRAVE (Broad gauge) converted to automatic signalling. Crossing loop and up side platform at UPWEY (both built in 1962) opened. |
| . .June | Loco G 42 is purchased by the PBPS. | |
| Sunday 27th September | MENZIES CREEK platform extended by 30 feet in the down direction. | |
| Thursday 15th October | Rodded derail and point indicator provided at
BELGRAVE.41 |
|
| Sunday 6th December | First train into EMERALD in 11 years is hauled by
loco 6A. |
|
| . . . | MARSHALL HALT opened with a 25 foot long platform. | |
| . . March? | Construction of the MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM commenced. | |
| 1965 | Thursday 6th May | CLIMAX loco arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. |
| Saturday 31st July | MENZIES CREEK to EMERALD narrow gauge officially re-opened. (Clematis a non stop station). | |
| Wednesday 15th December | Loco 14A arrives at BELGRAVE. |
|
| Friday 17th December | Line up of 3 NA locos in steam at Belgrave.74 |
|
| . . late | 5000 gallon water tank at EMERALD provided. | |
| . . . | Dead end siding, to store a 3rd NA loco, is constructed at BELGRAVE. | |
| . . . | Construction of EMERALD 3A siding commenced. | |
| 1966 | Tuesday 3rd May | Loco No.4 Hudswell Clarke arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. |
| Thursday 12th May | Signals installed at each end of the MENZIES CREEK yard limits on Friday 13th May.42 | |
| Friday 13th May | Crossing facilities for trains provided at MENZIES CREEK. | |
| Sunday 15th May | MENZIES CREEK opened as a Temporary Staff Station. |
|
| . . May | Carriage Workshops at EMERALD completed by this date. The goods shed was moved 6 feet closer to Belgrave as a result. or July, 1967.75 | |
| 30th July | Wedding Party on Puffing Billy. | |
| Monday 15th August | Mount Lyell No.5 ABT rack loco arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| . . . | Brick toilets completed at MENZIES CREEK and EMERALD. | |
| Tuesday 25th October | CLEMATIS re-opened for passengers.47 | |
| 1967 | . . . | Spur line to MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM built. |
| 1968 | . . . | Dead end loco siding at BELGRAVE extended in order to accommodate G 42. |
| Friday 26th January | Loco G 42 arrives at BELGRAVE. | |
| . . | Easter New No. 2 and new No. 3 roads built at MENZIES CREEK. | |
| early June | Dual gauge track placed (by the addition of another rail) at the top of the MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM spur in readiness for the delivery of the locos from Australian Portland Cement. | |
| 6th October | PBPS participate in an exhibition at Spencer Street Station. | |
| Thursday 10th October | Loco No.11 Perry arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| Thursday 17th October | Loco No. 2 Garratt arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| . . October | Pivot from the UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 60 foot turntable found around this date.11 | |
| 1969 | Tuesday 4th February | Loco W 22 JUSTIN HANCOCK arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. (See 1990) |
| Saturday 10th May | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY loco shed being dismantled until Saturday 14th June, 1969.10 | |
| 1970 | Saturday 10th January | Loco 6A collides with trolley NK1 near LANDSLIDE. Trolley destroyed. |
| Monday 19th January | Cleaning of broad gauge carriages commenced at BELGRAVE. | |
| 14th May | VR photographer visits Belgrave to Emerald line.73 | |
| Tuesday 11th August | Loco POZIERES arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| . . December | A 3000 gallon water tank at EMERALD replaces 5000 gallon water tank. (See 1965). | |
| 1971 | . . April | GEMBROOK goods shed "recently" destroyed by fire. |
| Tuesday 12th October | Loco No.14 Shay arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| . . . | Deviation beyond the (later) BELGRAVE EAST Loop site completed. | |
| 1972 | . . February | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY is renamed UPPER FERN TREE GULLY. |
| . . . | Mt Lyell carriage shed completed at BELGRAVE. (See 1982, 1989) | |
| . . April | Mel Elliott is employed as the first PBPS full time employee.75 | |
| 1973 | . . Summer | EMERALD electric lamp standards electrically lit by this date. |
| Tuesday 30th January | Loco Sub Nigel Ltd No.3 Orenstein & Koppel arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| . . February | Restoration work commences on the Emerald to Lakeside section.75 | |
| Tuesday 6th March | BELGRAVE EAST loop opened for carriage storage.43 Down departure home signal provided at BELGRAVE.43 | |
| . . March | The PBPS and the Victorian Railways agree that Puffing Billy need a better management system. A Government/PBPS working party is formed.75 | |
| Saturday 7th April | MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM officially opened. | |
| . . July | Ten year Development plan released by PBPS.75 | |
| . . July | The Government provides funds for construction of the locomotive depot.75 | |
| Friday 3rd August | Locomotive 12 A is returned to the Puffing Billy Railway.68 | |
| 1974 | Thursday 14th March | Regular Thursday running between Belgrave and Emerald commences.93 |
| Friday 26th April | Loco 14A stolen from Belgrave loco shed and driven to Sweat Pea corner. | |
| Wednesday 15th May | A landslide occurs in the MENZIES CREEK forest requiring a deviation to the track. Line beyond Menzies Creek closed until _________ | |
| Saturday 26th October | Peckett loco (Sir John Grice) arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. (See 1981) | |
| . . December | Rail tractor TACL arrives at EMERALD. | |
| 1975 | Monday 10th February | BELGRAVE broad gauge open for Green Star Parcels. |
| Tuesday 15th April | MARSHALL HALT renamed Lime Fresh Junction for the filming of a soap commercial. Also on Wednesday 16th April. | |
| Tuesday 23rd September | Lever operated derail placed on platform road at BELGRAVE.44 | |
| Friday 10th October | EMERALD home signal at the Gembrook end of the yard is returned to service. | |
| Tuesday 14th October | BELGRAVE transfer ramp last used to unload 6A. (See 1962, 1981) | |
| Saturday 18th October | EMERALD to LAKESIDE narrow gauge officially reopened. (Nobelius re-opened for passengers and Nobelius Siding reopened with staff locked siding - non stop stations). Lakeside yard consisted of the mainline, a runround loop and a dead end siding. A further piece of track was below 2 rail vehicles in use until August, 1976. (See 1976) Signal and location boards provided at Lakeside.55 | |
| . . October | New Society meeting rooms at 696 Warrigal Road Chadstone.94 | |
| . . December | No. 2 & No. 3 roads at BELGRAVE extended to handle a full carriage set.95 | |
| . . December | First use of BELGRAVE new loco depot.95 | |
| . . . | BELGRAVE locomotive running shed completed.75 | |
| . . . | Piles from the filled in single span trestle bridge at LAKESIDE found and removed from beneath the track by this date. | |
| 1976 | . . March | Stockyard formerly of Tooradin re-erected at EMERALD. |
| Tuesday 11th May | Loco 8A hulk arrives at Emerald from Bayswater. | |
| . . July | Repairs carried out to Monbulk Creek Trestle bridge by Victorian Railways.96 | |
| . . August | Dead end siding added at CLEMATIS. Track came from LAKESIDE where 3 NC and 149 NWT were located whilst station building being built. (See 1975) | |
| Saturday 11th September | Station building at LAKESIDE opened | |
| . . December | Speed limit at LANDSLIDE increased to 10mph | |
| . . . | Body of 3 NC placed on platform at MENZIES CREEK for use as a kiosk and booking office. | |
| 1977 | . .early | 2 foot gauge line in the MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM alongside the School Road fence commenced. |
| Sunday 20th March | Malcolm Moore No 1015 arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| Monday 27th April | Loco 3A arrives at MENZIES CREEK from Portsea. | |
| Monday 27th April | Ruston & Hornsby loco (later NRT 1) arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| Saturday 1st October | The EMERALD TOURIST RAILWAY BOARD is formed and takes over the operation of Puffing Billy.45 | |
| Saturday 1st October | The last VICTORIAN RAILWAYS NARROW GAUGE train operates. | |
| Saturday 1st October | First EMERALD TOURIST RAILWAY BOARD train operates. | |
| Thursday 6th October | Hudswell Clarke loco No 9 arrives at MENZIES CREEK
MUSEUM. |
|
| . . . | OLD LADIES CROSSING, Belgrave closed to traffic. | |
| 1978 | Friday 27th January | Locos 6A and Hudswell Clarke No 4 transported to North Wharf for Cavalcade of Transport display. |
| . . June | Loco Ruston & Hornsby (later NRT 1) operates between MENZIES CREEK and EMERALD. (See 1983) | |
| Thursday 6th July | UPPER FERN TREE GULLY broad gauge Council siding closed. | |
| Saturday 19th August | Two millionth passenger carried on Puffing Billy
since 1962. |
|
| . . . | Overhead walkway between the Broad and Narrow gauge stations at BELGRAVE constructed. | |
| 1978/9 | . . . | Days rail tractor arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. |
| 1979 | Wednesday 3rd January | Accident at Emerald-Beaconsfield Road, EMERALD where an 11 year-old boy from Ireland fell from the 3.10pm Down train.91 |
| . . September | Deviation to track just prior to Landslide due to Yabbies in the embankment. | |
| . . December | LAKESIDE Up end signal relocated 91 metres closer to Belgrave. | |
| 197? | . . late | MARSHALL HALT platform closed. |
| . . . | Beaconsfield Road, EMERALD, renamed Paternoster Road. Emerald - Beaconsfield Road, EMERALD, renamed Kilvington Drive. | |
| . . . | Station Street, SELBY renamed Tye Avenue. | |
| . . . | MENZIES CREEK platform extended at the Belgrave end across the Gang Shed doors. | |
| 1979/80 | . . . | The 2ft 6in gauge MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM storage line along the mainline fence is constructed. |
| 1980 | . . December | Victorian Government allocates lottery money to redevelop the Belgrave station site.75 |
| . . . | Station building added at Menzies Creek. | |
| 1981 | . . early | BELGRAVE EAST loop proposed to be used as a temporary station with platform during Belgrave station lowering works. |
| Sunday 8th February | Last train hauled by 7A arrives at the BELGRAVE (upper) platform.69 Trains then departed from No. 3 road until the lower level was available. (See 1st November). | |
| Wednesday 4th March | UPPER FERN TREE GULLY D Siding is abolished and roads re-numbered 1 to 5. UPWEY roads amended to be `UP' and `DOWN'. BELGRAVE road numbers changed. | |
| Friday 8th May | Loco DELTA arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| Monday 25th May | Filming of the series Come Midnight Monday commences using loco 12A and continues for two weeks. EMERALD station renamed PARADISE GAP during filming. | |
| Wednesday 21st October | BELGRAVE transfer ramp damaged by an accident when a Hitachi train ran into it. The rails to the transfer ramp were removed the following day. (See 1962, 1975) | |
| Saturday 1st November | BELGRAVE narrow gauge station re-opened on the lower level. (See Sunday 8th February) | |
| Saturday 14th November | Peckett loco restored at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. (See 1974) | |
| Friday 4th December | Peckett loco operates on the mainline - being first non VR owned loco to operate on the UPPER FERNTREE to GEMBROOK line. | |
| 1982 c. | February | UPPER FERN TREE GULLY closed to goods traffic, other than consignments |
| Thursday 4th March | Come Midnight Monday mini-series commences on ABV 2.90 | |
| Saturday 13th March | The old BELGRAVE station building is moved from the upper level to the lower level using NQ wagons. | |
| . . March | The Puffing Billy Services Branch is renamed Trading Branch.89 | |
| . early June | CLEMATIS station building destroyed by fire, lit by vandals. | |
| Saturday 17th July | Locomotive 8 A is returned to service on the Puffing Billy Railway.68 | |
| Saturday 19th September | Loco 14A crosses the park road at LAKESIDE for the first time since 1953. | |
| . . October | The steel `garage' trolley shed is built on the BELGRAVE plateau. | |
| Wednesday 24th November | Malcolm Moore No 1013 and RMP/Baguley 3354 locos arrive at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. | |
| . . . | Carriage 1 NBL finally placed in the shed at BELGRAVE built for it in 1972. (See 1972, 1989) | |
| . . . | MENZIES CREEK platform serving No. 2 road constructed. | |
| . . . | Down The Track With Puffing Billy book released. | |
| 1983 | Wednesday 16th February | Ash Wednesday fires cross the Puffing Billy track bed between WRIGHT and COCKATOO. |
| Thursday 17th February | Puffing Billy services suspended due to the Ash Wednesday fires the previous day.68 | |
| Wednesday 30th March | Puffing Billy Railway Schools Section renamed Youth Group.88 | |
| Tuesday 13th September | Loco NRT 1 enters service on the Puffing Billy Railway. (See 1978) | |
| Saturday 24th September | First Puffing Billy Railway level crossing flashing lights installed at Beaconsfield-Emerald Road. | |
| . . December | TV advertisement for Puffing Billy filmed on line.86 | |
| . . . | Line off MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM spur to inspection pit constructed. | |
| 1984 | Saturday 4th February | Rails laid across the level crossing at McBride Street / Koo-Wee-Rup - Healesville Road, COCKATOO due to road remaking. |
| by May | Restoration of the NOBELIUS SIDING Packing Shed completed. | |
| Wednesday 1st August | Locos V 9 and V 12 (later D 21 - See 1987) from Tasmania arrive at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM and EMERALD respectively. | |
| . . October VR | Bus garage in UPPER FERNTREE GULLY yard is dismantled.85 (See 1926) | |
| Monday 10th December | Loco 6A goes to the City Square Melbourne for display. | |
| . . December | The filming of the movie Frog Dreaming takes place on the Railway.84 | |
| . . . | CLEMATIS platform coping extended to 180 feet for Night Train use. | |
| . . . | Deviation to track at Gembrook end of Marshall Straight. | |
| . . . | CLEMATIS Gang Shed removed. | |
| 1985 | . . May | NOBELIUS SIDING Packing Shed building restored. |
| Saturday 20th July | Boom barriers provided at Hilltop Road, UPPER FERN TREE GULLY. | |
| . 18th October | Guards indicator light on post No. 58 provided at BELGRAVE broad gauge station.39 | |
. . October |
A Victorian Railways portable building from UPPER FERNTREE GULLY is placed at EMERALD for use as a safeworking shed.82 | |
| Friday? 1st November | Seven day a week running commences between Belgrave and Lakeside as a trial until Monday 31st March, 1986.83 | |
| 1986 | Wednesday 8th October | BELGRAVE narrow gauge station toilets opened. (Prior to this passengers had to walk up the hill to the Main Road). |
| . . August | OLD LADIES CROSSING, Belgrave removed. | |
| Saturday 20th September | Loco G 42 is hauled by 7A from BELGRAVE to MENZIES CREEK to commence restoration. | |
| Thursday 15th November | Flashing lights installed at Main Road, CLEMATIS. | |
| Sunday 22nd November | First G 42 Lakeside to Gembrook walk. (See 1995) | |
| . . December | Check rails are to be removed from all curves on the Railway except for the Monbulk Creek Trestle bridge, Landslide and the curved embankment prior to Lakeside.81 | |
| . . . | Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Trust provides funds for rebuilding CLEMATIS station building. | |
| 1987 | Friday 16th January | Loco D 21 (formerly V 12 - See 1984) re-enters service on the Puffing Billy Railway. |
| Sunday 3rd May | First and only G 42 Belgrave to Lakeside walk. | |
| Sunday 14th June | Removal and regrading of 3A road at EMERALD commenced by this date. | |
| . June | Loco inspection pit built at BELGRAVE by this date | |
| Saturday 25th July | 25th anniversary celebrations for the re-opening of the Belgrave to Menzies Creek section.80 | |
| . . August | It is announced that it is proposed to restore the line between LAKESIDE and WRIGHT and possibly beyond.79 | |
| Tuesday 15th September | TACL railtractor restoration commences. | |
| . . September | Coal storage area built at BELGRAVE by this date. | |
| Monday 26th October | NOBELIUS SIDING track extended to a total length of 200 feet. | |
| Tuesday 8th December | Turntable at EMERALD placed on its pivot. | |
| 1988 | Saturday 27th February | Line reconstruction commenced at LAKESIDE towards COCKATOO with the laying of 540 feet of track. |
| . . August | MONBULK CREEK trestle bridge extended by one span to 15 spans, in readiness for road lowering below bridge. | |
| Thursday 1st September | Belgrave-Emerald Road altered to Belgrave-Gembrook Road. Temple Road, SELBY renamed Long Pockitt Lane. | |
| . . December | Flashing lights installed at Main Road, EMERALD | |
| 1989 | Friday 10th February | Fowler loco No 15989 (privately owned) arrives at MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM. |
| . . March | Inspection pit track at BELGRAVE extended to house loco G 42's boiler frame. | |
| . . August | Speed restrictions over up end No. 2/3 track points at UPPER FERN TREE GULLY lifted. | |
| . . October | The Victorian Tourist Commission provides funds for the new Belgrave station building. | |
| . . December | New park road level crossing in use at LAKESIDE. | |
| . . December | Road below MONBULK CREEK trestle bridge lowered. Greenwell Road level crossing closed. | |
| . . . | CLEMATIS station rebuilt. | |
| . . . | CLIMAX locomotive placed in Mt Lyell Shed. (See 1972, 1982) | |
| . . . | Flashing lights installed at Pinnocks Road, EMERALD | |
| 198? | . . . | Level crossing lights installed at Clematis (Belgrave - Gembrook Road). |
| . . . | Tymon Road, FIELDER closed to traffic. | |
| . . early | Tye Avenue, SELBY closed to traffic. (See 1932, 197?) | |
| . . late | CLEMATIS toilet building removed. | |
| 1990 | Sunday 29th July | BELGRAVE narrow gauge double storey station building officially opened. |
| . . July | Roof placed over inspection pits at BELGRAVE by this date. | |
| .. July | Come Midnight Monday (TV Series) premieres in China dubbed in Mandarin.101 | |
| Saturday 11th August | First locomotive (CLIMAX) turned on the EMERALD turntable. | |
| Saturday 13th October until Sunday 28th October | MENZIES CREEK yard completely rebuilt by 10th Field Squadron, Museum spur disconnected, and island platform bought into use. FIELDER bridge rebuilt by 7th Field Engineering Regiment as an army exercise. The Army delivers three points to GEMBROOK yard. MENZIES CREEK Gang Shed removed. | |
| . . November | The original BELGRAVE loco shed is last used by locomotives.103 | |
| Monday 10th December | Loco W 22 JUSTIN HANCOCK departs MENZIES CREEK MUSEUM for Pichi Richi Railway, Quorn, SA. (See 1969) | |
| Tuesday 11th December | First NA (8A) turned on EMERALD turntable. | |
| Wednesday 19th December | At UPPER FERN TREE GULLY gates provided for stabling sidings. | |
| . . . | A permit is issued by the Shire of Sherbrooke to extend the line from LAKESIDE park boundary to COCKATOO CREEK. | |
| 1990/91 | . . . | MENZIES CREEK inspection pit track extended. (See 1983, 1994) |
| 1991 | Saturday 3rd February | Track relaying commences at GEMBROOK. |
| Friday 19th July | First train hauled by NRT 1 operates at GEMBROOK since 1953. | |
| Saturday 24th August | Rails laid to just prior to the Belgrave-Gembrook Road from the GEMBROOK end. | |
| Saturday 29th September | First passenger train with NRT 1 and 10 NBH operates at GEMBROOK since 1953. | |
| Saturday 19th October | First steam (Peckett loco) hauled train at GEMBROOK since Monday 3rd August, 1953. | |
| . . . | Perry Circus use the lawn outside the EMERALD Car Shops and the stockyards for their shows at Emerald.102 | |
| 1992 | Sunday 26th January | The book Steam On The Two Foot Six Volume 1 - Locomotives by Peter Medlin is officially released at Emerald.69 |
| . . by January | CLEMATIS station building completed by this date. | |
| Weekend 22/23 February | 2700 feet of track is laid from the LAKESIDE park boundary towards WRIGHT finishing just prior to Wright Road. | |
| . . June | Flashing lights commissioned at Kilvington Drive, EMERALD around this date. | |
| Weekend 22/23 August | Track restored from LAKESIDE, crossing Wright Road, to just prior to WRIGHT platform. | |
| Sunday 20th September | Rails replaced in the Belgrave-Gembrook Road GEMBROOK level crossing. | |
| Saturday 17th October | First train across Belgrave-Gembrook Road, GEMBROOK since 1953. | |
| . . . | MENZIES CREEK Museum re-connected by new line off siding from No. 1 platform track. (or 1993?) | |
| 1993 | Weekend 20/21 | March Track relaid between Belgrave-Gembrook Road and Orchard Road GEMBROOK |
| . . March | Yanga Creek bridge on the Balranald, NSW line is dismantled by ETRB & PBPS staff for re-use on PBR bridges. | |
| Saturday 22nd May | First train between Belgrave-Gembrook Road and Orchard Road, GEMBROOK since 1953. | |
| Weekend 19/20 June | Rails relaid across Orchard Road GEMBROOK and the first train crosses the road since 1953. | |
| . . June | Zig Zag footpath down to BELGRAVE narrow gauge station opened. | |
| Sunday 4th July | Loco (formerly Walhalla & Thomson River Steam Tramway) 861 arrives at MENZIES CREEK or EMERALD?. | |
| Sunday 13th September | First train crosses FIELDER BRIDGE since 1953. | |
| Saturday 19th September | New water tank placed on the old stand at GEMBROOK. | |
| Saturday 25th September | Timetabled steam hauled services operate between GEMBROOK and Orchard Road from this date. | |
| . . September | MENZIES CREEK station kiosk operations sub-contracted out. | |
| Weekend 16/17 October | Work party rebuilds 250 feet of track from FIELDER BRIDGE towards COCKATOO. | |
| . . . | Level crossing lights installed at KILVINGTON DRIVE, Emerald. | |
| 1994 | . . January | Construction of No. 7 BRIDGE commences. |
| Weekend 12/13 February | Track relaid from 250 metres on the Cockatoo side of FIELDER bridge to within 1800 feet of FIELDER station. | |
| Saturday 20th March | Rails return to FIELDER from Gembrook end. | |
| Sunday 27th March | Five millionth passenger carried on the Puffing Billy Railway since 1962.100 | |
| Sunday 27th March | Last workday of the Emerald Station Group.77 | |
| Saturday 21st May | First work party of the Warrandyte Model Railway Club to restore FIELDER station to 1929 condition. | |
| Saturday 28th May | Rails laid through Doonaha Road, FIELDER. First train arrives at FIELDER since 1953. | |
| Sunday 24th August | Flashing lights at Selby-Aura Road commissioned. | |
| . . August | Temporary station building placed at GEMBROOK for Peter Peckett operations. | |
| Weekend 17/18 September | Rails from the Gembrook end reach 2 metres prior to the McBride Street level crossing at COCKATOO. | |
| Saturday 24th September | Timetabled steam hauled trains operate between GEMBROOK and FIELDER bridge from this date. | |
| Saturday 8th October | Rails return almost to COCKATOO from the Gembrook end, crossing McBride Street. (See 1984) | |
| . . October | MENZIES CREEK platform asphalted. | |
| . . October | Walkway at BELGRAVE between the narrow gauge and broad gauge stations is partly covered by a roof. | |
| Saturday 29th October | G 42 Gembrook walk. First steam passenger train arrives at FIELDER since 1953. | |
| . late December | No. 7 BRIDGE completed except for rails. | |
| . . . | MENZIES CREEK inspection pit track extended. (See 1983, 1990/1) | |
| . . . | EMERALD goods shed dismantled for rebuilding. Still removed 27 October 1999 | |
| . . . | Construction commenced at the EMERALD Signal & Telegraph depot, requiring part of the stockyard (See 197_) to be removed. | |
| . . . | Involvement Volunteers commence at the Puffing Billy Railway.76 | |
| 1995 | . . early | Shire boundaries are altered. |
| Sunday 22nd January | LAKESIDE dead end siding (No. 3 road) removed and track bed raised to same level as No. 1 and 2 roads. | |
| 18th February | Rails laid from just prior to WRIGHT to just over bridge No. 7 and first train hauled by 14A crosses over No. 7 BRIDGE. | |
| Saturday 8th April | No. 1 & No. 3 roads at COCKATOO rebuilt. | |
| Saturday 29th April | First official steam hauled passenger train operates to FIELDER from GEMBROOK. | |
| Monday 17th July | The Puffing Billy Luncheon Special commences operation. | |
| Monday 17th July | LAKESIDE platform toilets opened. | |
| Weekend 19/20 August | Track laid to within 300 feet of the Cockatoo Creek bridge from the COCKATOO side. | |
| Thursday 7th September | Flashing lights at Long Pockitt Lane, SELBY put into operation | |
| Weekend 23/24 September | Point placed at water tank end of GEMBROOK yard to connect No. 1 & 2 roads for runround purposes. | |
| Saturday 21st October | Loco 7A and 2 NC collides with trolleys NK 3, Jenny, & NG 1 on the SELBY side of the MONBULK CREEK trestle bridge. | |
| Saturday 28th October | Last G 42 Lakeside to Gembrook walk. (See 1986) | |
| 1996 | Thursday 2nd March | Flashing lights at Edenmont Road, CLEMATIS commissioned. |
| Sunday 30th March | New station shelter (Mallee Shed) built on FIELDER platform by this date. | |
| Tuesday 2nd July | UPPER FERNTREE GULLY and BELGRAVE officially opened as Premium stations. | |
| Friday 2nd August | Loco DH 59 (now known as DH31) arrives at MENZIES CREEK. (See 1997) | |
| Wednesday 7th August | First known triple-headed NA (14A, 12A & 7A) hauled train run from BELGRAVE to LAKESIDE. | |
| Thursday 8th August | Loco NGG16 129 arrives at MENZIES CREEK. | |
| Saturday 24th August | Loco (Carbon) arrives at EMERALD. | |
| Sunday 15th September | Locos 861 and (Carbon) re-enter service on the Puffing Billy Railway. | |
| 1997 | Sunday 5th January | Loco DH 59 (now known as DH31) re-enters service for Puffing Billy Railway. (See 1996) |
| Saturday 11th January | UPWEY and BELGRAVE Passenger Information System commissioned. | |
| Friday 28th February | Peckett and DeCauville No. 90 locos first placed in nursery loco shed at EMERALD.13 | |
| Saturday 14th April | FIELDER station officially re-opened. | |
| 1998 | Sunday 22nd March | Rails from BELGRAVE and rails from GEMBROOK officially joined near COCKATOO CREEK. First through train from Belgrave to Gembrook (Diesel hauled). |
| Sunday 22nd March | Temporary cross erected near the site of Jerry The Railway Dog.69 (See 1934, 1952) | |
| Saturday 12th September | First NA hauled (with 8A & 12A) train to Gembrook since 1953. | |
| Saturday 17th October | A tree at Superman Corner between EMERALD & LAKESIDE falls onto carriage 9 NBH, injuring 8 people and badly damaging 9 NBH. | |
| Sunday 18th October | LAKESIDE to GEMBROOK officially reopened. Stations at COCKATOO and GEMBROOK (Town) re-opened. (WRIGHT station still to be rebuilt) | |
| Saturday 7th November | The site of Jerry The Railway Dogs grave believed re-located. (See 1934, 1952). | |
| 1999 | 30th June | Puffing Billy carried an all time record of passengers of 247,181. |
| 2000 | 10th August | The Olympic Torch travelled on Puffing Billy from Emerald to Belgrave on its way to the opening of the games in Sydney. |
| 2000 | 3rd December | The 5th Puffing Billy Olde Time Festival was held. 1741 visitors were able to enjoy over 150 visiting vintage, veteran and classic motor cars, buses, trucks, road steamers and stationary engines. |
| 2000 | 17th December | People's Centenary Day was held where 2006 passengers enjoyed a public party (3 times our average daily patronage). They had unlimited travel on trains, and enjoyed a range of community stalls and activities at stations, all for a heavily discounted fare. |
| 2000 | 18th December | The 'First Train' Re-enactment was held where invited guests wearing period costume and travelling in the same kind of carriages and trucks as were used on opening day, exactly 100 years earlier. |
| 2001 | 28th February | A Children's picnic day was held re-creating the gatherings of local schools which occurred in the early 20th Century |
| 2002 | 22nd January | Locomotive 6A was returned to service after years of restoration work. |
| 2002 | Sunday 21st July | The TACL rail tractor formerly operated by the Forest Commission in the Erica/Tyers Valley area was completed by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society and Light Railway Research Society of Australia |
| 2002 | 7th July | The Railway celebrated the 40th anniversary of the reopening of the railway from Belgrave to Menzies Creek. |
| 2002 | 7th July | The station building at Belgrave was named the 'A.P. Wymond Building'. |
| 2003 | 21st February | The Governor of Victoria, Mr John Landy travelled on a special train from Cockatoo to Gembrook. |
| 2003 | 20th October | The inaugural Kids Fun Run with "Thomas" event was held at Gembrook with proceeds of the day going towards the Starlight Foundation. |
| 2003 | 27th October | The Board's Silver Jubilee was celebrated with a train ride to Gembrook and dinner where all present and former members were invited. |
| 2003 | 19th November | The ABT loco and Guards Van previously located in the Museum were moved and sent to Tasmania for restoration and return to service on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. |
| 2003 | December | The heritage 'Wig Wag' warning device located at Lakeside was commissioned prior to Christmas. |
| 2004 |
January |
Work commenced on the Workshop extension at Belgrave |
| 2004 | Saturday 17th April | Locomotive G42 hauled its first train for donors and supporters to the restoration project to Cockatoo. |
| 2004 | Sunday 18th April | Locomotive G42 hauled a special train to the Packing Shed where Mr Tim Fischer officiated with the launch of this locomotive. |
| 2004 | Monday 19th April | The Luncheon Special commenced 7 day a week operation hauled by Locomotive G42. |
| 2004 | Sunday 2nd May | The 23rd Annual Great Train Race was conducted using G42 for the first time on the race train. There was an all time record of entrants of 2,660. |
| 2004 | 28th-30th May | The railway hosted the inaugural Association of Tourist Railways conference. |
| 2004 | Monday 19th July | The Workshop extension at Belgrave was completed. |
| 2004 |
Friday 6th August |
Former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Tim Fischer launched his new book "Transcontinental Train Odyssey The Ghan, the Khyber, the Globe at the Packing Shed, Emerald. |
| 2004 |
Wednesday 8th September |
The "Luncheon Special" was re-launched today with media, tourism and invited guests celebrating the running of this product now 7 days a week. |
| 2004 |
Sunday 14th November |
The Minister for Tourism, Mr John Pandazopoulos officially opened the extension to the Belgrave Locomotive Depot before staff, volunteers and invited guests. |
| 2005 | 28th February | The month of February was an all time record for passengers carried. (21,390) |
| 2005 |
Wednesday 2nd March |
The "Dinner Special" formally known as The Night Train was launched as the 7 day "Dinner Special" by the Minister for Tourism, Mr John Pandazopoulos. |
| 2005 | Friday 6th May | Locomotive 7A celebrated its 100th birthday. A birthday cake was provided for the occasion. |
| 2005 | Wednesday 8th June | To celebrate the Society's 50th Anniversary to the actual date, a Golden Jubilee Film Night was held at Scots Church Hall in Melbourne. The inaugural Society meeting was held in the Independent Church Hall (across the road) but this had previously been demolished. |
| 2005 | Saturday 16th July | A special train was run for members and volunteers as part of the Society's 50th birthday celebrations. The train travelled to the Packing Shed where a sumptuous meal was provided. A number of people spoke to the group to recognise this milestone in the railway's history. A photo stop was arranged along the way at Clematis and the engine for the day 12A, was renamed with3A's numberplate. |
| 2005 | Sunday 17th July | The "Luncheon Special" celebrated its 10th birthday today. |
| 2005 | Saturday 30th July | Locomotive G42 is back in service following its C examination. . |
| 2005 | Saturday 20th August | A special painting created by artist Bill Caldwell to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society featuring Locomotive 6A was launched at Belgrave. A special cake was made for the occasion which was attended by many people. Art quality prints of the painting are available for sale from the Belgrave Refreshment Room. |
| 2005 | Thursday 29th September | The Minister for Tourism, Mr John Pandazopoulos, launched a new children's book "Puffing Billy A Winter Rescue " by Gwen Ryder. |
NOTES:
1.
2.
3. Information supplied by Ian R. Barkla.
4. Speed Limit 20 by Edward Downs.
5. Oakleigh & Ferntree Gully Times - Issues 17/7/1909 & 31/ 7/1909 via
Steve Martin.
6. The Australian 6th July, 1889 issue.
7. December, 1913 Working Timetable.
8. Information supplied by Graeme Cleak.
9. Divisional Diary Entry No. 2360.
10. Divisional Diary August, 1969 Page 25.
11. Divisional Diary November, 1968 Page 16.
12. Divisional Diary April, 1971 Page 15
13. Information supplied by Ewen Stephens
14. Weekly Notice No. 47 of 1904
15. Weekly Notice No. 8 of 1907
16. Weekly Notice No. 23 of 1909
17. Weekly Notice No. 42 of 1912
18. Weekly Notice No. 51 of 1919
19. Weekly Notice No. 15 of 1921
20. Weekly Notice No. 41 of 1927
21. Weekly Notice No. 32 of 1938
22. Weekly Notice No. 5 of 1939
23. Weekly Notice No. 26 of 1947
24. Weekly Notice No. 48 of 1924
25. Weekly Notice No. 15 of 1907
26. Weekly Notice No. 33 of 1910
27. Weekly Notice No. 30 of 1912
28. Weekly Notice No. 5 of 1913
29. Weekly Notice No. 44 of 1913
30. Weekly Notice No. 37 of 1915
31. Weekly Notice No. 26 of 1919
32. Weekly Notice No. 50 of 1919
33. Weekly Notice No. 52 of 1921 and C. 18/21
34. Weekly Notice No. 3 of 1922
35. Weekly Notice No. 41 of 1927
36. Weekly Notice No. 36 of 1930
37. Weekly Notice No. 28 of 1954
38. Weekly Notice No. 5 of 1962
39. Weekly Notice No. 45 of 1985
40. Weekly Notice No. 30 of 1962
41. Weekly Notice No. 43 of 1964
42. Weekly Notice No. 21 of 1966
43. Weekly Notice No. 12 of 1973
44. Weekly Notice No. 38 of 1975
45. Weekly Notice No. 41 of 1977
46. Weekly Notice No. 39 of 1921
47. Weekly Notice No. 43 of 1966
48. Weekly Notice No. 4 of 1901
49. Weekly Notice No. 4 of 1922
50. Weekly Notice No. 44 of 1904
51. Weekly Notice No. 49 of 1924
52. Weekly Notice No. 6 of 1929
53. Weekly Notice No. 10 of 1927
54. Weekly Notice No. 3 of 1944
55. Weekly Notice No. 43 of 1975
56. Weekly Notice No. 17 of 1909
57. Weekly Notice No. 43 of 1916
58. Weekly Notice No. 41 of 1927
59. Weekly Notice No. 33 of 1954
60. Weekly Notice No.
61. Weekly Notice No.
62. Weekly Notice No.
63. Weekly Notice No.
64. Weekly Notice No.
65. Weekly Notice No.
66. Weekly Notice No.
67. Weekly Notice No.
68. Information compiled by Andrew Rayment
69. Information compiled by Peter N. Medlin
70. Weekly Notice No.
71. PTC photo Archives Photos M6054 to M6508.
72. PTC photo Archives Photos M1667 to M1673.
73. PTC photo Archives Photos PR4669 to PR4690.
74. PTC photo Archives Photos PRC8 to PRC11.
75. Narrow Gauge September, 1998
76. Monthly News January, 1994
77. Monthly News May, 1994
78. Monthly News September, 1995
79. Monthly News September, 1987
80. Monthly News July, 1987
81. Monthly News January, 1987
82. Monthly News November, 1985
83. Monthly News September, 1985
84. Monthly News January, 1985
85. Monthly News November, 1984
86. Monthly News January, 1984
87. Monthly News June, 1983
88. Monthly News May, 1983
89. Monthly News April, 1982
90. Monthly News March, 1982
91. Monthly News February, 1979
92. Monthly News September, 1978
93. Monthly News April, 1975
94. Monthly News November, 1975
95. Monthly News February, 1976
96. Monthly News August, 1976
97. Information supplied by Ian Barkla from Public Records Office (Des Jowett)
98. VR Secretary's File 12-12-16 supplied via Ian Barkla from Public Records
Office (Des Jowett)
99. VR Secretary's File 28/4438 supplied via Ian Barkla from Public Records
Office (Des Jowett)
100. Narrow Gauge June, 1994 Page 3
101. Narrow Gauge September, 1991 Page 17
102. Narrow Gauge September, 1991 Page 21
103. Narrow Gauge December, 1990
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.