New book Saving Puffing Billy documents decade-long journey of iconic steam train’s restoration

FOR the first time the story behind Melbourne’s iconic steam train has been told in a book. Saving Puffing Billy documents the decade-long restoration.

Historians releasing book on Puffing Billy

A NEW book tells the story of how volunteers got Australia’s most famous train puffing again.

Saving Puffing Billy, released in August, charts the decade-long journey of the iconic steam train’s restoration by a dedicated group of volunteers, beginning in 1955.

The book features more than 300 photographs, historic documents and diagrams of Puffing Billy, and presents a fascinating collection of personal anecdotes from people involved with the Puffing Billy Preservation Society during that decade.

Society president Jeff Goodwin said: “While detailing the enormous amount of time, effort and money contributed by volunteers from all walks of life, the story is interwoven with historical background information researched by society member Bill Russell”.

Preservation society member Don Marshall, who also contributed to the book, said its publication was “well overdue”.

“The story of the reconstruction has never been told anywhere else, other than in the railway’s own magazines,” he said.

“It was gratifying to see some of the detail actually put down in print so people can read all about it.”

Mr Marshall, who has been a volunteer at the railway for almost 60 years and a driver for the last 35, said he saw scores of tourists visit the famous steam train each month.

“I drive about four or five times a month and the jump in the passenger numbers over the last couple of years has just been phenomenal,” Mr Marshall said.

“And they seem to keep coming, the railway seems to get busier and busier.”

Saving Puffing Billy is available at the train’s Belgrave shop or online at puffingbilly.com.au