By Parker McKenzie
Excitement took over Belgrave when the return of daily Puffing Billy steam-train rides coincided with the opening of the new $24.8 million Lakeside Visitor Centre.
The official opening ceremony on 3 December was attended by a packed house of state government officials, members of the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, local residents and media.
Puffing Billy Railway chief executive officer Peter Abbott said it was an exciting time for everyone involved in making the facility a reality.
“I want to welcome everyone for coming along to the opening of the new building for the Puffing Billy,” Mr Abbott said.
“It’s something that has been dreamt of for around 30 years so it’s very exciting to actually have it.”
The new facility, co-funded by the Puffing Billy railway line, the Victorian state government and the Commonwealth government, includes a collection of steam train artefacts, a café and conference rooms.
Minister for tourism, sport and major events Martin Pakula said he was in attendance when the project broke ground in 2019.
“This is a great opportunity for people to come together to celebrate the railway, to enjoy its history and go for a ride,” he said.
“To do it all in the extraordinary comfort of this beautiful new facility and enjoy everything the Dandenong Ranges has to offer.”
The Victorian state government made a $12.7 million investment in the project.
Monbulk MP and Deputy Premier James Merlino said the new centre gives the historic railway a modern lift.
“What a wonderful time to reopen this fantastic facility and see Puffing Billy reopen,” he said.
“People need this and the opportunity to enjoy their lives, have fun and there is nothing better than a ride on the Puffing Billy,
“This is a wonderful addition to one of the most loved tourist destinations for Melbournians, Victorians and 10s of thousands of tourists.”
The Puffing Billy railway line was built in 1900 to serve the local farming and timber industries in the Dandenong Ranges before becoming a tourist attraction.
The current railway line is a 25.1 kilometres long single track railway that primarily leaves from Belgrave station and runs until Gembrook.
Prior to the pandemic the Puffing Billy steam train was a popular tourist attraction with more than 500,000 visitors annually using the daily services of the steam train.
It is operated by the Emerald Tourist Railway board and the volunteer Puffing Billy Preservation Society.
