Like I have said before I am going to go to Puffing Billy on Saturday (meaning today). Went with my mum, sister, aunty, Ninja and Patrick. Caught the train from Melbourne Central to Belgrave which took about 70 minutes stopping a total of 27 stations. The train trip itself was very boring resulting me sleeping half way. There was a toddler and a Korean kid sitting near us. The toddler was quiet but during the trip, he started yelling and flicking rubber bands == The Korean kid on the other hand was playing his NDS with full volume. Talk about annoying!
Ninja should have brought his PSP so we could've watched South Park - Episode #311? Chinpokomon. XD haha it was funny; cheap rip of Pokemon; we gotta buy them all; bomb pearl harbour and some random Japanese person popping out of the TV screens. America...
We sat on the 12:30 PM train from Belgrave to Lakeside. Total ride was about 1 hour, stopping at Menzies Creek and Emerald.
I took a total of 190 photos, and after going through them I came down with about 50 photos not including the ones I took of family. And so here they are:
Click to enlarge photos!
L -> R: Puffing Billy sign which connects to Belgrave station, Back part of a steam train which is not in use, Front of the Puffing Billy steam train, Puffing Billy crossing the wooden bridge
L -> R: Clock indicating next train's departure, Belgrave station sign and seats
Belgrave station handsI actually tried to take a photo of the conductor since he had the whole cap, bag and ticket puncher look. Unfortunately he didn't hear me say excuse me so I couldn't take a photo of him. Instead just took photos of the station hands wondering around. The passengers included: Italians and Caucasians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Indians etc. There were A LOT of Koreans! And I saw a very cute Korean child sleeping on the train whilst his parents were eating Mrs. Mac's meat pies on the way back.
L -> R: Official ticket received upon payment, Souvenir ticket
L -> R: Station masters and conductor talking at Belgrave station prior departing, Children finding a comfortable position prior departing, Puffing Billy departing Belgrave station, Puffing Billy turning a corner, Puffing Billy approaching Menzies Creek Station, Another Puffing Billy leaving Menzies Creek Station 
Various sign posts along the bush land track
L -> R: Conductor and station hands at Menzies Creek station, Station Master at Menzies Creek station 
Various scenery and knick knacks along the track 
Various scenery and knick knacks along the track 
L -> R: Model Railway and Miniature World at Lakeside station, Left side of the model railway, Close up on train tracks, Right side of the model railway, Young boy enjoying the view of the moving trains, View of the model railway when the lights are switched off 
L -> R: Menzies Creek station seat, Lakeside station sign 
L -> R: A photographer capturing the moving train on his SLR camera, Locals having a picnic along the track, Locals waving at passengers on the Puffing Billy, Young children waving at passengers on the Puffing Billy, Locals walking their dog along the track, Young boy at a station looking at the Puffing BillyThroughout the track there were a variety of people. The photographer followed us from Belgrave to Lakeside in his Ford trying to capture the train. He was always faster than us! It is also customary for on lookers and by passers to wave at us as well! Those people who past the track every day must have fun waving to tourists and Australians with their gleaming faces.
Overall I reckon the whole trip was alright. The time sitting on the public train was VERY boring however the experience on the Puffing Billy is unforgettable. All the views and scenery you could see was amazing! I also think everyone captured different photos with no two of the same photo. I had fun dangling out of the train ledge and trying to touch the leaves and trees near the track.
For more information check out www.puffingbilly.com.au
Happy holidays!
Grub
