By Mitchell Clarke
The iconic, decades old tradition of passengers dangling their legs off the side of Puffing Billy could become a regular feature again, almost three years after it was suspended.
The popular practice, which many associate with the historic steamer, was brought to an abrupt halt following a collision between the train and a minibus in March 2018.
Puffing Billy CEO Steve O’Brien confirmed to the Gazette that sitting on the sills of the train would be revisited under a trial after the peak season.
“The trial is the first step, which will more than likely begin in February/March, but we’ll take a look at how well it works and if successful, we’ll be looking to bring it back for good,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said an “extensive investigation process” had been carried out following the board’s “conservative approach” to the crash.
The lengthy investigation identified level crossings posed the biggest risk to safety, which prompted the State Government and the board to fund boom gates at three notorious crossings.
Numerous other safety measures, including inward tilting sills, have been implemented.
“We’ve looked at a whole host of measures which we’ve done to make crossings safer. It’s been a long journey to get here but we’ve got to the stage where we can now have a trial run,” he explained.
Mr O’Brien said the domestic market had shown a real interest in the ‘leg dangling’ experience. The tour operator recorded an 18 per cent drop in the domestic market following the bus crash.
“Research indicates that although people love the heritage rail and the smell, more people like the Dandenong Ranges and getting to experience it, so to sit on the sills with your legs out, you’re actually able to get a lot closer to nature,” he said.
“It’s a unique experience and we’re not aware of any other tourism operators offering a similar thing.
“Victorians just know it as the Puffing Billy experience. Now that we are purely focusing on our domestic market, it’s really exciting to be able to bring this back.”
