Have a look and click on the maps below or select the required area from the menu.

See also the Timetables, Fares and the Puffing Billy FAQ.

1. Belgrave 2. Locomotive Depot 3. Belgrave East Loop 4. Sherbrooke Forest 5. Trestle Bridge 6. Selby  7. Landslide

8. View near Menzies Creek 9. Menzies Creek 10. Steam Museum  11. Panoramic View 12. View of Farmland 13. Clematis

14. Steep Grade 15. Emerald 16. Panoramic View 17. Nobelius Siding (The Packing Shed) 18. Nobelius 19. View of Emerald Lake Park
20. Lakeside

21. Wright 22. The Big Bridge 23. Cockatoo Creek Bridge 24. Cockatoo

25. Fielder 26. Gembrook

1. Belgrave

Rail distance from Melbourne 41.8 km (26 miles), Altitude 227.7m (747 feet).

This station is the headquarters of the railway, with both operating and administrative facilities. Between 1958 and 1962, a new station and yard was constructed entirely by volunteers, using parts of the old Belgrave station which was approximately where the Melbourne end of the broad-gauge platform is now. More recently a major redevelopment project has provided a new, level station yard and improved passenger amenities including a 1920's-style station building. Also located here are our main shop and locomotive running sheds. Carriages and goods wagons may be seen stored in the yard.

Photo Courtesy RACV.

2. Locomotive Depot

Shortly after departure from the station, the Locomotive Depot may be seen to the left of the train. The large brick building was designed to blend in with Puffing Billy's 'period' image and was designed and built in 1975. Extensive servicing and repair facilities have been installed to provide for continuous loco maintenance, overhauls and restoration.

Photo by Andrew Puckridge.

3. Belgrave East Loop

Just beyond the first level crossing, the loop siding to the left of the train was formerly the main line. The present main line was built to permit the old track to be used as a carriage storage siding.

Photo by Andrew Puckridge.

4. Sherbrooke Forest

The southern reaches of the Sherbrooke Forest extend to the Puffing Billy track on the left of the train and to the area beside the Trestle Bridge.

5. Trestle Bridge

Length 85.3m (280 feet), height 12.8m (42 feet). Spanning both Monbulk Creek and the Main Road, it is the lowest point on the line and is a very popular place for photographing the train.

Photo by Puffing Billy Preservation Society.

43.8km (27 1/4 miles), Altitude 229.5m (753 feet).

When opened in 1904 (four years after the opening of the line) it was named Selby after an early landowner, the district taking its name from the station. Trains do not normally stop here.

Photo by Andrew Puckridge.

It was here that the landslide closed the railway in 1953. A remnant of the old track may be seen on the left of the train as it rounds a curve to the right, once the sharpest curve on the Victorian Railways' system. Earthworks necessary for the line to by-pass the landslide were carried out for the society by the Citizen's Military Forces as a training exercise. See also the History of the PBPS. Before the line was closed, a water tank for filling the locomotives was located here.  

Photo by Greg Furlong

An extensive view across to Port Phillip Bay is to be seen from the right or downhill side of the train as it nears Menzies Creek. 
Photo by Robert Davies

44.8km (29 3/4 miles) from Melbourne, Altitude 303.6m (996 feet).

The district and creek were named after an early miner who worked the area but for many years the station was named 'Aura'. On days of two train operation (see the Timetable) the trains pass here since the station is half-way between Belgrave and Lakeside. 

  Photo by Andrew Puckridge.

Located immediately behind Menzies Creek station, the Museum houses a unique collection of locomotives from Australia and overseas, rolling stock and steam machinery. Please Note: The museum is not currently open. See the Steam Museum page.

Photo by Robert Davies.

On the low side of the line, to the right of the train, the most extensive view on the trip may be seen on a clear day. Port Phillip Bay and Arthur's Seat may be seen to the right of the with Westernport Bay to the left. Below is the Cardinia Reservoir, a major storage basin for Melbourne's water supply.

After crossing the Main Road, the train runs into 'Paradise Valley', where pleasant farmland views may be seen to the left of the train.

49.5km (30 3/4 miles) from Melbourne, Altitude 276.1m (906 feet).

Formerly called 'Paradise', this is restored as a typical country wayside station. Trains do not normally stop here but goods trucks can often be seen in the siding.

Photo by Andrew Puckridge.

Known as 'Emerald Bank' this is the steepest grade on the line, rising one metre for every 30 metres (one foot in 30 feet) travelled for a distance of 1.6km (one mile). The locomotive may be heard working hard as the train climbs toward Emerald.

Photo by Craig Potter.

15. Emerald

51.5km (32 miles) from Melbourne, Altitude 318.5m (1045 feet), the highest point on the line.

Gold was discovered here in 1858, the township springing up adjacent to the diggings. When the gold petered out, the town remained as an agricultural centre. In the station yard is the Railway's carriage repair workshop where rolling stock is restored and maintained. Picnic and toilet facilities may be found adjacent to the train. If the timetable permits, passengers may stop off here and return on a later train. Emerald is also where "Thomas" The Tank Engine makes special appearances during the year.

After leaving Emerald, pleasant views may be seen from the right of the train. Potatoes are the principal crops grown on the farms below the line.  To the left of the train you will see Emerald Primary School. A friendly country school where if you happen along by at recess time the children will exchange cheerful waves with you. The school even uses the Puffing Billy Logo as a key part of their school uniform and school logo.

52km (32 1/2 miles) from Melbourne, Altitude 303m (994 feet).

Overlooking the once-extensive nursery on the left of the train is the siding and packing shed of the former Nobelius & Co. From here, seedlings and plants were once dispatched to all parts of Australia. The Packing Shed has now been restored as a venue for catered functions and 'The Dinner Special'.

53.5km (33 1/4 miles) from Melbourne, Altitude 280m (920 feet).

Also named after the nearby Nobelius estates, this little station was originally situated in a magnificent garden setting that the Society hopes eventually to restore. Trains normally do not stop here.

This is a terminus of the line although the line  extends beyond Lakeside to Cockatoo and Gembrook, a further 9.6km (6 miles). The line has reopened to its original terminus at Gembrook. Here the crew fill the engine with water and clean the fire before running around the train for the return trip or continuing on to Gembrook. A shop will be found in the station building which was designed and constructed by voluntary workers. Here you can purchase hot and cold food, drinks and ice creams. Picnic, Barbeque and Toilet facilities are available in the park. The largest working HO scale model railway is located here and is open most days. Phone 5968 3455 for more details on opening times. For shelter bookings at Emerald Lake Park, please phone 9757-0700 during normal office hours.  A hire charge applies to shelter bookings. If the timetable permits, passengers may remain here and return on a later train.

Situated on a 4 chain curve, this is the highest bridge on the line.

This is the lowest point on the line, the trip from here to Gembrook is uphill all the way to the Gembrook Football Ground.