By Derek Schlennstedt
A Puffing Billy volunteer has accomplished her dream of becoming the first female driver on the Puffing Billy Railway.
At 10:30am on 31 July, Belinda McKenzie from Gembrook became the first female to sit in the driver seat in the railway’s 119 year history.
Ever since she began volunteering at Puffing Billy in 2010, Ms McKenzie has been steaming towards her goal of becoming a driver on the famous steam train, and she told the Mail she hopes more women will follow.
“I’ve always been interested in trains, and was at Puffing Billy as a passenger when the driver and fireman saw me checking out the running gear of one of the engines,” Belinda said.
“They invited me into the cab to take a look and we started chatting. I asked them how they got their jobs and they told me they were volunteers and that I could be, too.
“That was enough for me and I signed up that day!”
“It’s strange to think that I am about to do the same job as those volunteers that I met nine years ago, and will be the first female to do so … it’s very special,” she said.
“It’s nice to think that maybe by me doing what I’m doing, I can encourage other women to chase down their dream not matter how unconventional it seems.”
The 40-year-old drove the 10.30am train from Belgrave to Lakeside Station, and was supported by an all-female crew; including the fireman, guard, and conductors.
Belinda has held a number of volunteer roles during her time at Puffing Billy, including trainee driver, engine cleaner, guard, signalman, steam and diesel fireman, diesel holster, trolley driver and fire patroller.
Although Ms Hume said it was a mentally and physically demanding job, there were rewards around every corner.
“The stereotypical image of a railway worker – hot and sweaty and covered in soot – is probably not very appealing to a lot of females, however there are so many volunteer roles at Puffing Billy and it would be great to see more females getting involved,” Belinda said.
“I was the fourth female fireman at the railway – we now have two more, as well as a female trainee fireman who just started her training after a number of years as a guard, signalman and trolley driver.”
“These hands-on rail roles are physically and mentally challenging, but it sure beats slogging away at the gym. It’s a unique and interesting hobby and the friends I have met since being at the railway will last a lifetime.”
