puffing billy

Puffing Billy Railway now offers a special experience driving an historic Puffing Billy steam locomotive. This unique opportunity allows for one person to drive the locomotive and have up to four family and/or friends travel behind in a heritage carriage.  This locomotive is perfect for the international market as it has space for an interpreter to be with the ‘guest driver’ should they have difficulty understanding English.

Commencing at 4.00pm, the ‘guest driver’ along with their guests arrive at Puffing Billy Belgrave station to enjoy a tea or coffee whilst partaking in a safety briefing. The ‘guest driver’ will receive safety boots, overalls and a Puffing Billy hat.

At 4.30pm the locomotive departs Belgrave hauling two carriages with the guest’s family and/or friends and travels to Menzies Creek. The ‘guest driver’ learns how the locomotive operates with a fully trained Puffing Billy crew and then spends time driving the locomotive on its journey to Lakeside station at Emerald Lake Park and then on the return journey to Menzies Creek.   

Upon arrival at Menzies Creek at 7.00pm, a gourmet Australian BBQ is waiting for the ‘guest driver’ and their four guests. This Australian BBQ will feature local produce such as emu sausages, kangaroo, venison and beef steaks matched with stunning Australian wines from the Yarra Valley.  This gourmet experience is followed by regional cheeses accompanied by a seasonal fruit platter.

At 8.15pm the train will depart Menzies Creek, and the ‘guest driver’ can relax and travel in the heritage carriage with their guests, arriving back at Belgrave at 8.45pm.   A total distance of 27km behind a steam engine and actual driving time for the 'guest driver' of 90 minutes.

Cost: This unique experience is AUD$2,950 which includes GST, a gourmet Australian BBQ, cheese and fruit platter and wines from the Yarra Valley for the ‘guest driver’, up to four guests.

For further information or to make a booking please contact Nadine Hutchins, Marketing Manager on (03) 9757 0716 (+61 3 9757 0716 intl), email nadine.hutchins@pbr.org.au.

Note:  Departure time is subject to timetable confirmation.