Puffing Billy railway revealed as one of Victoria’s most dangerous train lines
A shocking number of motorists are dicing with death and ignoring warning lights on the iconic Puffing Billy railway line, making it one of Victoria’s most dangerous train lines.
VIC News
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The iconic Puffing Billy railway has been revealed as one of Victoria’s most dangerous train lines.
New figures obtained by the Sunday Herald Sun show the much-loved steam train was involved in 26 near misses at level crossings in just a year as motorists diced with death on the line in the Dandenong Ranges.
Some ignored flashing lights and dashed across the tracks even when they could see the train approaching.
Surveillance cameras are now set to be installed at crossings in a bid to catch culprits.
Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator figures, covering the year to August, show the Schools Rd crossing at Menzies Creek had the most near misses along Puffing Billy’s route.
Thirteen vehicles narrowly avoided being hit even though the crossing was fitted with warning lights.
In one case a train driver reported three vehicles driving across the tracks when the lights were flashing.
Two crossings on Gembrook Rd were also flashpoints.
Both have lights, but one lacks boom gates.
Puffing Billy chief executive Steve O’Brien said drivers were not only risking their own lives, but those of hundreds of families on board the beloved tourist train.
Last year four people aboard a tourist bus were hurt — and a dozen more escaped injury — when the bus was driven through level-crossing signals and into the path of the oncoming train.
“It is a problem,” Mr O’Brien said. “Because the train goes so slow there are a number of motorists that don’t have the patience and they ignore the lights and signs. Ever since the bus crash we have been taking it seriously.
“We take down the number plates to give to police and we are also installing cameras.”
A ban on children hanging their legs out of carriage windows — introduced after last year’s bus accident — remains in place.
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Member for Gembrook Brad Battin said that unfortunately many of the near misses on Schools Rd were parents trying to get to a nearby school.
“If parents or locals are ignoring the signs they are putting their safety and the safety of their children at risk,” he said.
Member for Monbulk James Merlino urged people to obey warning signals at the crossings.
“Rail safety is everybody’s responsibility,” he said.
“People need to be aware of the dangers when driving or walking across rail tracks.”