By Derek Schlennstedt
A passion for trains runs deep in the Campbell family.
Ian Campbell spent more than 30 years working in the rail industry, and has been a volunteer at Puffing Billy for 53 years.
His passion rubbed off on his grandson, Zac Campbell, who has volunteered at Puffing Billy since 2012 and currently works full time for Metro Trains in Ringwood.
Zac’s partner, Caitlin, is also a Puffing Billy volunteer and they recently welcomed baby Edward into their family. While they have no plans to coerce him into the railways, their family history and passion for the industry is bound to make an impression.
Despite living all over Australia for work, Ian would regularly travel back to the Dandenong Ranges to volunteer at Puffing Billy, coming from as far as the Pilbara to do a shift.
His first memory of Puffing Billy is seeing one of the last trains to operate on the railway in the 1950s, before it closed down following the landslide of 1953.
“I remember asking my Dad what it was, and he said ‘That’s Puffing Billy, but you can say goodbye to Puffing Billy’,” Ian said.
“As we know, the railway was saved after the formation of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society, and Dad took us back there for a ride when it was up and running again. I have been hooked ever since.”
Ian started volunteering in 1966 and would sell lollies on the platform from the old-fashioned ushers trays.
“I have done nearly every role at the railway over the years, but I always had my sights set on being a train driver.”
“My work with the railways took me all over Australia, but I would always make sure I came back to Puffing Billy every now and then to spend a few days volunteering.”
Zac’s first photo at Puffing Billy was taken when he was around six months old, and he visited many times with his grandfather during his childhood.
Like many young boys, Zac loved railways, and having a grandfather that worked on one meant he got to fuel his fascination more than most.
“My family lived with our grandparents in Kalgoorlie when I was young, and Grandpa was a train driver there. I used to go to work with him, and I would also tag along on occasion when he would go to Puffing Billy.”
“I started as an engine cleaner and currently carry out many other volunteer roles, including fireman, signalman, guard and I am currently training to be a station master.”
“I work full time for Metro Trains as a Leading Station Assistant at Ringwood, but still love going out to Puffing Billy
Now baby Edward might take up the mantle as the next Campbell to volunteer at Puffing Billy, though his parents aren’t going to push it on him.
“We certainly aren’t pushing trains and railways onto Edward, and will have to wait and see what he is drawn to.”
“It would be pretty special if he does have the same passion for the railway as Caitlin and I do, along with his great grandfather, but only time will tell!” Zac said.
