Puffing Billy Railway: Legs out windows allowed again

Four years after it was banned, a beloved decades-old Puffing Billy tradition is back, much to the delight of passengers.

After a four year ban, passengers are allowed to dangle their legs out of Puffing Billy’s windows again.

Passengers on Puffing Billy Railway will finally be allowed to dangle their legs out of the windows again, with the decades-old tradition making a comeback.

The railway banned the practice after the Dandenong Ranges tourist train and a minibus collided at the School Road level crossing in Menzies Creek in March 2018.

More than 25,000 people then signed a petition pushing for the beloved “institution” to return.

And on Friday, Monbulk state Labor MP James Merlino announced the time-honoured tradition was back.

Sitting on the sills will again be allowed on trains running from Belgrave to Lakeside stations daily after operators implemented “risk management processes” to ensure its safe reintroduction.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said there was no other railway experience like sitting on an open-side carriage sill as Puffing Billy winds through the

Dandenong Ranges.

“This is great for tourism and local businesses in the region,” he said.

Details: puffingbilly.com.au